Fishing at Elder Reservoir, Larimer County, Colorado

• Overview

  Elder Reservoir is a Larimer County water, in Colorado. It stands 5,098 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 79 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. A shoreline of some 1.4 miles keeps the choices simple. It lies lower than most water we list in Colorado. The closest town, Wellington, is 4.1 miles away. Beyond it, Fort Collins at 5 miles and Laporte at 5.4 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Elder Reservoir

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Fish documented in Larimer County include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, white sucker and rainbow trout. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Fish Elder Reservoir to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 28°F to 71°F. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Elder Reservoir. A settled week fishes better than a changeable one.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Windsor Reservoir Number 8 at 0.8 miles is the sensible second choice. None of that is settled for Elder Reservoir in what we hold.