McIntosh Lake Fishing in Boulder County, Colorado

• Overview

  Colorado holds McIntosh Lake, in Boulder County. It lies 5,072 feet above sea level. At about 245 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Roughly 3.0 miles of bank means you can walk to a fresh area when one goes quiet. Few waters listed in Boulder County are bigger. The nearest town is Longmont, 3.2 miles away. For a city, Boulder is 14 miles off. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on McIntosh Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. County-wide records name black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout and bluegill. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On McIntosh Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 28°F to 72°F. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. McIntosh Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Longs Peak Reservoir Number 2, 1.2 miles away. Signs at McIntosh Lake carry more weight than any list.