Russell Lakes SWA: hunting rules and access
Russell Lakes SWA is 4,739 acres of State Wildlife Area in Saguache County, Colorado, in game management unit 682. CPW lists dove, rabbit and waterfowl for it, and its rules for the property run to 14 lines: 6 on its page for the property and 8 in its regulations.
| Kind | State Wildlife Area |
|---|---|
| County | Saguache |
| Game management unit | 682 |
| Size | 4,739 acres |
| Coordinates | 37.9455, -106.1065 (middle of the boundary CPW maps) |
| Map | Open Russell Lakes SWA on the map |
| Among CPW properties in unit 682 | The largest of 5 by the acres on CPW's pages, 38% of their 12,580 acres together |
| CPW's page read | October 8, 2026 |
A State Wildlife Area has its own rules on top of the statewide season rules. How the kinds of public land differ.
What CPW lists for hunting here
Dove, Rabbit, Waterfowl.
A species on this list is one CPW names for the property. It still needs an open season, the right license for the unit, and nothing in the restrictions below against it on your dates.
Who may enter
A valid hunting or fishing license OR SWA pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing this state wildlife area.
Restrictions on CPW's page for this property
- A. Open for public access July 16-Feb. 14. and as otherwise posted. Sect. 29 closed during waterfowl seasons.
- B. Closed after 1 p.m. during first split waterfowl season.
- C. Parking only in established parking areas.
- D. Camping during waterfowl hunting seasons by licensed waterfowl hunt- ers and only in self-contained units in designated areas.
- E. Field trials may be authorized Feb., March, Aug. and Sept.
- F. Hunting or fishing license or Colorado State Wildlife Area Pass required, except for parking area and restroom located off Hwy. 285.
In CPW's regulations
- a. Public access is prohibited from February 15 through July 15.
- b. Public access is prohibited, except as posted, to protect wintering and nesting waterfowl, and to protect administrative areas of the property.
- c. Section 29 (Herrance Lake and Island Lake) shall be closed during waterfowl hunting season.
- d. During the first split waterfowl season, Russell Lakes SWA shall close at 1:00 p.m. daily to all recreation.
- e. Parking is allowed in designated parking areas only.
- f. Camping is allowed during waterfowl hunting seasons by licensed waterfowl hunters and only in parking areas with self-contained camping trailers or campers.
- g. Field trials may be authorized during February, March, August, and September only.
- h. Public access to established restroom facilities is exempt from requirements set forth in section #900(C)1 of these regulations.
From CPW regulations, chapter W-9 (Wildlife Properties), 2 CCR 406-9, dated July 16, 2026.
Read it at the source before you go
The rules above are CPW's words, copied from CPW's page for Russell Lakes SWA as it read on October 8, 2026 and from the regulations for CPW properties. CPW can change them or close the property at any time, signs on the ground count, and a rule that names a season moves with that season each year.
Unit 682, around Russell Lakes SWA
- Elk in unit 682, 2024: 86 hunters in all seasons took 54 elk, 63% success (2023: 63% from 75 hunters). The rifle seasons alone: 86 hunters, 63%. Unit 682 elk by season
- Deer in unit 682, 2024: 19 hunters in all seasons took 6 deer, 32% success (2023: 77% from 13 hunters). The rifle seasons alone: 19 hunters, 32%. Unit 682 deer by season
- Unit 682: 255 square miles in Saguache County, 0% national forest and 2.9% BLM land, from 7,500 to 7,800 feet.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife survey estimates for the whole unit, private land included. They are not figures for this property, and whether elk or deer may be hunted here is in CPW's list above.
Nearest CPW properties to Russell Lakes SWA
| Property | Distance | Direction | Mapped acres | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Creek STL | 2.3 miles | east | 1,908 | 682 |
| Werner Arroyo STL | 3.6 miles | east | 634 | 682 |
| Burro Springs STL | 8.7 miles | west | 28,458 | 68 |
| Mishak Lakes STL | 10.5 miles | east | 2,594 | 82, 682 |
| Saguache Creek STL | 11.1 miles | east | 2,432 | 682 |
Straight-line miles between the middles of the boundaries CPW maps, not road miles. A property can be much nearer at its edge.
All 721 State Wildlife Areas and State Trust Lands
Have a tag for this fall?
A FilledTag plan checks the rules of any CPW property it uses against your species and your dates, and gives you one exact plan: where to park, camp and sit, with every pin checked against public land and road rules.