Panhandle Reservoir Fishing in Larimer County, Colorado

• Overview

  The Larimer County end of Colorado holds Panhandle Reservoir. The water sits 8,491 feet up. Roughly 49 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Roughly 1.3 miles of bank means you can walk to a fresh area when one goes quiet. 31 miles away sits Laporte, the nearest town. Laramie is 32 miles and Estes Park 34 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Panhandle Reservoir

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Survey and observation records for Larimer County include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout and white sucker. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Fish Panhandle Reservoir to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 57°F; the cold one sits at 24°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early May. The lid tends to go about early May and return around late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Plan around that when you fish Panhandle Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. There is a launch about half a mile from the bank. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Lake Erie at 2.7 miles is the sensible second choice. None of that is settled for Panhandle Reservoir in what we hold.