Joder Reservoir in Boulder County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Boulder County end of Colorado holds Joder Reservoir. The land about it is rolling hill. At 7 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The closest town, Niwot, is 6 miles distant. Boulder sits 6.8 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Joder Reservoir

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Species logged across Boulder County include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout, bluegill and rainbow trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Joder Reservoir the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 30°F in January and 69°F in July. Neither winter nor summer shuts things down for long. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Joder Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. A car park sits roughly half a mile away. Facilities run to toilets half a mile from the water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Margaret Spurgeon Reservoir Number 1 is 1 mile off. Signs at Joder Reservoir carry more weight than any list.