Fishing Maxwell Lake in Boulder County, Colorado

• Overview

  Maxwell Lake lies in Boulder County, Colorado. It sits at 5,551 feet above sea level. The whole thing is a single swim; walk it in a minute. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Boulder County. Boulder sits 2.1 miles from the bank. Gunbarrel is 6.3 miles away, with Niwot at 7.5 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Maxwell Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Boulder County, recorded fish include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout, bluegill and rainbow trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Maxwell Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 70°F on average, January about 30°F. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. On Maxwell Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. A car park lies half a mile away, so the walk in is short. Facilities include toilets around half a mile from here. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Maxwell Reservoir is 0.2 miles distant. Nothing on Maxwell Lake should be assumed from this page alone.