Cedar Springs Reservoir Fishing near Estes Park, Colorado

• Overview

  In Colorado, Cedar Springs Reservoir falls inside Larimer County. Height above sea level is 6,857 feet. Surface area runs to about 2 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Larimer County. Nearest town is Estes Park, 12 miles off. Beyond it, Loveland at 14 miles and Laporte at 15 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Cedar Springs Reservoir

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Larimer County include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout and white sucker. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. The near bank of Cedar Springs Reservoir is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 28°F and July at about 65°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. That is the shape of the year on Cedar Springs Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Pinewood Lake, 7.1 miles away. The position on Cedar Springs Reservoir is worth confirming on the day.