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Colorado · Fishing
Cowdrey sits in North Park, a high-elevation basin in Jackson County that holds a surprising variety of fishable water within a short drive. The options here split pretty cleanly between still water and moving water.
8 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 8 spots
Cowdrey sits in North Park, a high-elevation basin in Jackson County that holds a surprising variety of fishable water within a short drive. The options here split pretty cleanly between still water and moving water. On the lake side, you have Cowdrey Lake, Campbell Reservoir, West Fork Lake, Seven Lakes, and the Big Creek Lakes system, which also has boat access and a campground right on the water. These are productive spots for anglers who want to set up for a half-day without committing to technical water. Then there is the North Platte River through Northgate Canyon, which is a different proposition entirely. Rated expert difficulty and sitting at 7,200 feet, the canyon section demands wading confidence and fly fishing skill — the current is serious and the terrain is unforgiving. The species in play there are brown trout and rainbow trout. If you are new to the area, the lakes give you room to figure out what is biting before you commit to the canyon. If you are an experienced fly angler looking for a technical river challenge in a remote setting, Northgate Canyon is the reason to make the drive to Cowdrey.
The Northgate Canyon section is rated expert difficulty. You should be comfortable wading fast, rocky water and casting in tight canyon conditions before attempting it. Beginners and casual anglers are better served starting at one of the area lakes like Cowdrey Lake or the Big Creek Lakes.
Big Creek Lake has a designated boat access point, so you can launch there. The other lakes in the area — Cowdrey Lake, Campbell Reservoir, West Fork Lake, and Seven Lakes — do not have boat access listed, so check current conditions and any posted signage before hauling a boat out.
Big Creek Lakes Campground
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Hog Park Campground
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
North Platte River - Northgate Canyon
~2 min drive
Expert
Encampment River
~40 min drive
Hard
Seedhouse Group Site - Medicine-Bow Routt NF
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Hahns Peak Lake Campground - Medicine-Bow Routt NF
~39 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Seedhouse Guard Station
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Teal Lake Group Campsite
~39 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Seedhouse Campground
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Snow Survey Cabin
~52 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Bottle Creek Group Picnic Site
~42 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Sandstone Cabin
~59 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
The North Platte River through Northgate Canyon holds brown trout and rainbow trout. The surrounding lakes and reservoirs are not species-tagged in the available data, so contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife or stop at a local shop before your trip to get current stocking and catch information for Cowdrey Lake, Campbell Reservoir, and the Big Creek Lakes.
North Park sits at high elevation, so ice-out on the lakes typically runs late spring, often May or into early June depending on the winter. Summer through early fall is the most reliable window for both lake and river fishing. Northgate Canyon can see high, fast runoff through late spring, which makes the expert rating even more serious — mid-July through September is generally when river conditions settle enough for safe wading.
Yes, Big Creek Lakes Campground is located directly on the water, which makes it a practical base for fishing the Big Creek Lakes system and the nearby boat access point. If you are planning to fish Northgate Canyon, check for dispersed camping options along the North Platte corridor, but confirm access and any permit requirements with the relevant land management agency before you go.
