Douglas Reservoir, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Douglas Reservoir in the Larimer County part of Colorado. The bank is 5,203 feet above sea level. This is sizeable water at about 528 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. At about 4.0 miles of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Size puts it in the front rank of our Larimer County list. 3.9 miles away sits Wellington, the nearest town. Beyond it, Laporte at 6 miles and Fort Collins at 8.1 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Douglas Reservoir

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. County-wide records name black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, white sucker, rainbow trout and brown trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Douglas Reservoir the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 70°F and January reads 28°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Plan any trip to Douglas Reservoir around it. Late evening often out-fishes the whole afternoon.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. A launch point is recorded some half a mile off. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Mountain Supply Reservoir Number 8, 1.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Douglas Reservoir are worth checking on the day.