Clarks Lake near Wellington: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  This water sits in Larimer County, Colorado. It stands 5,292 feet above sea level. It measures about 128 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The full circuit measures close to 2.0 miles on foot. Size puts it in the front rank of our Larimer County list. Wellington is the closest town at 2.7 miles. After that come Laporte at 11 miles and Fort Collins at 12 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Clarks Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Open biodiversity records for Larimer County list black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, white sucker and rainbow trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Take Clarks Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 71°F and January near 28°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. The season on Clarks Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Indian Creek Reservoir, 1.7 miles out. Rules at Clarks Lake are worth checking on the day.