Bennett Reservoir near Steamboat Springs: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  You will find Bennett Reservoir in Jackson County, Colorado. Mixed forest runs right down to the water. A pocket of water where every cast reaches cover. Our Jackson County list holds plenty of bigger water. The town to know is Steamboat Springs, 15 miles out. Fort Collins is the closest city, 78 miles away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Bennett Reservoir

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Public occurrence data for Jackson County names brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, Arctic grayling and black-spotted cutthroat trout. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. The shape of Bennett Reservoir rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 57°F in July and bottom out at 19°F in January. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late April. Open water usually runs from late April until about mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Bennett Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Nothing formal is recorded here: no ramp, no car park, no marked path. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Burns Reservoir, 2 miles out. Check the position on Bennett Reservoir before loading the car.