Cottonwood Lake Fishing near Greeley, Colorado

• Overview

  Cottonwood Lake is one of the Weld County listings for Colorado. The surface lies 4,803 feet up. Small enough that any disturbance crosses the whole surface. On size it sits at the modest end of our Weld County list. Greeley lies 1.2 miles from the water. Then Evans, 2.8 miles, and La Salle, 4.3 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Cottonwood Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Species logged across Weld County include white sucker, common carp, green sunfish and longnose sucker. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Cottonwood Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 73°F and January near 27°F. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Time your trip to Cottonwood Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. There is recorded parking some half a mile off. For the carp, bait a margin spot and sit on it; corn and bread still work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Greeley Lake West Reservoir, 0.5 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position on Cottonwood Lake before loading the car.