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Colorado · Fishing
Berthoud sits in Larimer County at the edge of the Colorado Front Range foothills, and its fishing scene is built around a handful of accessible lakes and reservoirs rather than moving water.
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Berthoud sits in Larimer County at the edge of the Colorado Front Range foothills, and its fishing scene is built around a handful of accessible lakes and reservoirs rather than moving water. Roberts Lake, Baxter Lake, Carter Reservoir, and Coleman Reservoir make up the local lineup — all stillwater fisheries, which shapes everything from the gear you bring to the time of day worth showing up. These are community-scale waters, not remote backcountry destinations, so access is generally straightforward and crowds tend to be manageable outside of summer weekends. That also means they fish well for anglers who don't have a full day to burn — an early morning session before work or a couple of hours at dusk is a realistic outing here. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages stocking on waters like these throughout the warmer months, so checking the CPW stocking report before you go is genuinely useful rather than just a formality. If you're new to fishing or bringing kids, the lake and reservoir format is forgiving — no wading, no current to read, and you can cover water from the bank without a boat on most of these spots.
Roberts Lake, Baxter Lake, Carter Reservoir, and Coleman Reservoir are all stillwater fisheries, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife typically stocks Front Range lakes like these with rainbow trout. Warm-water species such as bass and bluegill are also common in reservoir environments at this elevation. Check the CPW stocking report for current species and recent plant dates before your trip.
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a valid Colorado fishing license, available through Colorado Parks and Wildlife online or at local sporting goods retailers. Some waters may have additional regulations around bag limits or gear restrictions, so it's worth pulling up the CPW regulation booklet for Larimer County before you go.
Coleman Reservoir
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Roberts Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Lon Hagler Reservoir
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Highland Reservoir Number 2
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Ryan Gulch Reservoir
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Bellmire Reservoir
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Crystal Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Divide Reservoir
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Carter Reservoir
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Sandpiper Pond
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Ide and Starbird Reservoir Number 2
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
North Lake Park Pond
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
A medium-light spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range covers most situations on these stillwater fisheries. For stocked trout, PowerBait on a slip-sinker rig or small spinners like a Rooster Tail are reliable bank-fishing options. If you're targeting warm-water species, a basic bass setup with soft plastics or small crankbaits works well from shore.
Early morning and the hour or two before sunset are consistently the most productive windows on stillwater fisheries like these, especially in summer when midday water temperatures push fish deeper. In spring and fall, midday fishing can be just as good since water temps stay cooler throughout the day.
Yes. Bank fishing on lakes and reservoirs is one of the more beginner-friendly setups you can find — no current to manage, no technical wading, and you can set up a rod and wait rather than constantly casting. A simple bobber-and-worm rig is effective and easy for kids to use, and stocked trout tend to be cooperative enough to keep things interesting.
