Bates Reservoir, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Bates Reservoir belongs to Las Animas County, Colorado. The surface lies 5,659 feet up. Surface area runs to about 3 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Las Animas County are larger. Walsenburg at 32 miles is the nearest place to stop. It is 52 miles to Pueblo, the nearest city. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Bates Reservoir

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Across Las Animas County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, white sucker, brook trout and common carp. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Anyone new to Bates Reservoir should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 32°F in January and 74°F in July. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. It sets the rhythm of the year at Bates Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Should this one be busy, Rowe Reservoir is 2.1 miles off. Confirm access to Bates Reservoir locally before you travel.