Hunting, Fishing and Shooting

The San Juan National Forest provides millions of acres of habitat, thousands of miles of streams and a variety of lakes and ponds. These beautiful places provide a backdrop for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting.

Interested in a tour? Fly fishing lessons? Hunting guide? Check out our list of current, permitted Outfitters and Guides.

Lake and Pond Fishing

There are many picturesque lakes across the San Juan Public Lands with excellent fishing opportunities.

Williams Reservoir State Wildlife Area (SWA), Andrews Lake SWA, Haviland Lake SWA and Joe Moore Reservoir SWA are located on the San Juan National Forest, but are managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). To access these SWAs, CPW requires either a either a SWA Pass, a valid fishing license or a valid hunting license.

For more information about these popular SWA lakes and required passes, check out the following resources:

Visit Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the following information:
- Fishing License: Purchase or find a license agent near you.
- Fishing reports, conditions and guidance
- Fishing Regulations including boat inspections
- Information on invasive species
Colorado Fishing Atlas: Interactive mapping tool offered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to search for fishing opportunities by species, specific interest or proximity to your home or destination.
Colorado Fishing Guide: Download the most current issue.
State Wildlife Area Finder
For additional questions, contact the local Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 970-247-0855.

Hunting

Big game hunting attracts hunters from just about every state to southwestern Colorado and to the San Juan National Forest. The major big-game species that live in the San Juan National Forest are mule deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose, black bear, and mountain lion. Game bird species that are hunted include turkey, blue grouse, sage grouse, rock and morning dove, and various waterfowl species.

While the Forest Service does not sell hunting licenses, a license is required to hunt in Colorado. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Offices and local retailers sell licenses. An annual Hunting Handbook lists hunting regulations. Fore more information, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website or give the local office a call at 970-247-0855.

Other Hunting Information Links:

San Juan National Forest Outfitters and Guide Lists: Interest a hunting tour? Need help packing out your game from your successful hunt? Check out the San Juan National Forest list of current, permitted Outfitter and Guides.
SJNF Hunting Guide Information: Check out where to hunt, where to camp and more.
Hunting on the Pagosa Ranger District: Check out specifics on where to camp and where you can use your cart and more on the Pagosa District.
San Juan Mountains Association Book and Map Store: Check out a great selection of hunting maps
Motorized Vehicle Information
Certified Weed Free Forage Producers list

Recreational and Target Shooting

Target shooting is a fun sport that is allowed on the San Juan National Forests under certain conditions:

According to the Code of Federal Regulations (title 36), recreational shooting can take place on the National Forests and Grasslands if:

You are at least 150 yards from a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area.
You are not shooting across or on a National Forest System Road or an adjacent body of water.
You are not shooting into or within a cave.
You are not shooting in any manner or place where any person, property or resource is exposed to injury or damage due to such discharge.
You are not firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition.

For recommended areas and additional information contact the local Ranger Districts.

For everyone's safety, please remember that ricochets can cause fires. Conditions in the forest can be dry at any time of year. When shooting firearms, please take safety precautions and be mindful that hot projectiles and sparks from ricochets can ignite fires in dry, grassy and brushy fuels.