Big Ed’s Fishing Ventures is one of the most established and trusted guide services in Dillon. They have been fishing Lake Dillon for decades and are known for putting guests on trout and salmon in every season. Their operation focuses entirely on Lake Dillon, which gives them a level of day-to-day knowledge that visiting anglers do not have. They know how the lake fishes in changing weather, shifting water temperatures, and different times of year. Their trips are steady, organized, and beginner friendly, with plenty of instruction for anyone who wants to learn. They also offer zero commission, book-direct pricing through their own website, which gives anglers the best rate without third-party markups.
About Big Ed’s Fishing Ventures
Big Ed’s is one of the most dependable operations in Summit County. Their guides work Lake Dillon constantly and make adjustments based on real conditions, not guesswork. Guests often mention how smooth the trips feel. Tackle is ready, boats are comfortable, and the guides communicate clearly.
They take time to explain what the fish are doing, why a certain area is producing, and how to get the most out of each presentation.
Visitors who want a reliable day on the water often choose Big Ed’s because they are consistent. Families book them because the guides are patient. Experienced anglers book them because they know how to find fish during tough windows. Their long history on the lake gives them an advantage during seasonal shifts when fish move deeper, suspend, or drop onto structure. Combined with their direct, zero-commission booking model, it makes them one of the more accessible and high-value guide options in the Rockies.
Seasons They Fish
Big Ed’s fishes Lake Dillon twelve months a year. This allows guests to plan a trip during any season with confidence that the guides already know what patterns are working. Some months offer shallow action, others require deeper presentations, and winter opens the ice fishing program. No matter the season, Big Ed’s knows where to start, how to adjust, and how to keep anglers on active fish.
As the lake warms, rainbow trout slide into the shallows and feed aggressively. This is one of the easier times for beginners because the fish hold higher in the water and hit a variety of baits and small lures. The guides focus on temperature breaks, pocket structure, and early season edges that concentrate fish.
Summer spreads fish deeper. Big Ed’s uses controlled-depth trolling, vertical presentations, and targeted passes to stay with lake trout and kokanee salmon. This season is popular with families because the weather stays predictable and the lake offers calm, comfortable fishing.
Fall is one of the strongest windows of the year. Cooler water brings trout back toward the shoreline and structure. Kokanee begin their run. Brown trout color up and feed harder. The guides move between rocky points, trolling lanes, and shallow flats based on weather and light. Guests get a mix of action and dramatic mountain scenery.
When the lake freezes safely, Big Ed’s sets up heated shelters and full ice fishing spreads. Winter produces consistent rainbow and brown trout along with the rare arctic char. Ice season is one of their signature offerings and attracts both first-timers and anglers who want to target char specifically. The setup is comfortable and the fishing stays steady.
Fish They Catch
Big Ed’s targets the full lineup of Lake Dillon’s cold-water species. Their long experience on the lake helps them track where fish move, how deep they hold, and what presentations trigger strikes in each season. This gives guests a higher chance of steady action regardless of when they visit.
Rainbows bite throughout the year and are one of the main fish caught on trips. They shift between shorelines, mid-lake structure, and suspended schools depending on weather. Big Ed’s adjusts techniques daily to stay on these fish.
Browns grow well in Dillon and are known for strong fights and vibrant fall colors. They relate closely to rock and depth changes, and the guides understand how to target them when they feed more aggressively in cooler water.
Kokanee are a summer and fall highlight. Deep summer trolling produces numbers, while fall brings bright, photo-worthy pre-spawn fish. Precise depth control is important and is one of the reasons guests benefit from experienced guides.
Lake trout hold in deeper, colder water. They respond well to slower presentations, jigging, and down-deep passes during summer. Big Ed’s monitors thermoclines and depth changes to stay on these fish.
Arctic char are the rarest fish in the lake and are a major draw in winter. Lake Dillon is one of the only places in the lower United States where char can be targeted. Big Ed’s has built a strong reputation for locating these fish during the ice season.
Big Ed's Fishing Ventures
Spots to Dots Guide Service LLC, based in Texas City, offers premier inshore fishing charters in Galveston Bay. Led by Captain Michael Bullock, a Texas City native with a lifelong passion for fishing, the service specializes in targeting redfish, sea trout, and southern flounder. Anglers of all skill levels are welcome to enjoy personalized trips aboard a 21’ Kenner bay boat, exploring prime fishing spots like Moses Lake and Miller Point.
