McIntyre Lake Fishing Guide, Larimer County, Colorado

• Overview

  Look for McIntyre Lake in Larimer County, Colorado. It sits at 10,630 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 15 acres — small enough to read in one session. Estes Park is the closest town at 32 miles. Fort Collins is the closest city, 47 miles away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications. The far side sees far fewer people than the near one.

• Where to Fish on McIntyre Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Species logged across Larimer County include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout and white sucker. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On McIntyre Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 51°F and February near 19°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late May. Break-up sits around late May on average, with the water closing again about early November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Expect McIntyre Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Sugarbowl Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. For McIntyre Lake in particular, ask before you travel.