Fishing Johnson Reservoir in Larimer County, Colorado

• Overview

  Within Larimer County, Colorado, you have Johnson Reservoir. It sits in lake country bush. Roughly 46 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The whole outline is near 1.0 miles, and most of it is walkable. The nearest town is Laramie, 33 miles away. The nearest city of size is Fort Collins, 55 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Johnson Reservoir

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Across Larimer County, recorded fish include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, white sucker and rainbow trout. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Johnson Reservoir responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 59°F for July and 21°F for January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Climate averages put the opening at about late April and the closing near mid November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Plan any trip to Johnson Reservoir around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Trapper Spring Reservoir sits 9.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Johnson Reservoir before loading the car.