Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest

The 38th annual Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest, the longest-running ice fishing tournament west of the Mississippi River, takes place January 23 through 25, 2026, across three connected bodies of water in Colorado’s Grand County: Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, and Grand Lake. The contest is presented by Sun Outdoors and organized by Destination Granby, a nonprofit Main Street organization, with all proceeds supporting community programs in the town of Granby. Early-bird registrants who signed up between October 1 and 31, 2025, were entered for a 2026 giveaway of a four-night stay in a Bearclaw Cabin. In-person registration opens in January at rates higher than the advance price; anglers should register before arriving to protect their entry and manage their budget.

How the Three Days and Three Lakes Work

Participants can enter for one, two, or all three days of the contest, fishing any of the three designated lakes on any day they are registered. Friday and Saturday sessions begin at 6:40 AM Mountain Standard Time and run until 4 PM. Sunday begins 30 minutes before sunrise and closes at 2 PM. Cash prizes are distributed daily to the top seven places in each category: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout under 19 inches, and Grand Slam (one each of Mackinaw under 19 inches, Rainbow, Brown, and Kokanee). Daily prize pools exceed $5,800 per day. The Weigh Station is located at Stillwater Campground on US-34 on the west side of Lake Granby, open 9 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, and until 2 PM on Sunday. Fish must be presented at the weigh station, two maximum per angler per day. All Mackinaw over 19 inches are measured but not entered for prize consideration: the contest specifically targets smaller lake trout to support the ecosystem management of the Granby fishery.

Good to Know: An Arapaho National Recreation Area vehicle pass is required for all participants and can be purchased at the Arapaho Bay fee station, self-service pay stations at Stillwater boat ramp, or in advance at recreation.gov. Colorado fishing licenses are required. Snowmobiles and ATVs are permitted on the lakes when ice conditions allow, with access restricted to boat ramps only. Portable restrooms are located at Sunset Point Boat Launch, Stillwater Boat Launch, and Cutthroat Bay at CR64. No alcohol-impaired snowmobile operation is permitted under any circumstances.

The Lakes Themselves and What They Contain

Lake Granby, at 7,254 acres, holds the highest density of lake trout documented in Colorado and produces fish over 30 inches with regularity. Shadow Mountain Reservoir connects to Grand Lake by a short canal, making navigation between the two bodies possible on ice when conditions allow. Grand Lake is Colorado’s largest natural lake, with depths exceeding 500 feet and a cold-water thermal profile that sustains significant populations of rainbow and brown trout year-round. In 2026, warmer-than-normal early January temperatures have delayed ice formation on parts of the system; check the contest’s Facebook page and the Destination Granby website for current ice depth reports before travel.

Granby and the Surrounding Valley

The town of Granby occupies the floor of Middle Park at approximately 7,935 feet, with the Never Summer Mountains and the Front Range visible from the valley in opposite directions. Granby Bait ‘n Tackle at 383 East Agate Avenue carries tournament-appropriate gear and local knowledge. Simply Outdoors at 255 East Agate provides additional equipment and conditions information. The family-appropriate winter activity calendar in Grand County extends well beyond the ice: Ski Granby Ranch is eight kilometres from town, Hot Sulphur Springs State Wildlife Area provides additional fishing access, and the Kawuneeche Valley of Rocky Mountain National Park, accessible via US-34 from Grand Lake, offers ranger-led snowshoe programs on weekends through March. Lake.com lists vacation rental options near Grand Lake and Lake Granby for anglers and families making the contest a full-weekend stay.