Colorado · Fishing
Fishing in Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins sits at the edge of the Front Range with a surprisingly solid mix of stillwater fishing options spread across the city and its immediate surroundings.
6 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 6 spots
Fort Collins sits at the edge of the Front Range with a surprisingly solid mix of stillwater fishing options spread across the city and its immediate surroundings. The lineup here is all lakes, reservoirs, and ponds — Horsetooth Reservoir is the biggest draw, a long canyon reservoir west of town where walleye, bass, and wiper get most of the attention. Closer in, smaller waters like Sheldon Lake, McMurry Park Lake, Riverbend Pond #6, and Prospect Pond #3 offer accessible bank fishing that works well for families and newer anglers who don't need to haul a boat. Douglas Reservoir rounds out the list as a quieter option north of the city. None of these are remote wilderness destinations — you're fishing near a city of 170,000 people — but that also means paved parking, nearby restrooms, and waters that see regular attention from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. If you're visiting from out of state or just getting oriented, the variety of water types means you can match your setup and skill level to the right spot without driving more than 30 minutes from downtown.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Colorado fishing license to fish at these spots?
Yes. All of these waters fall under Colorado Parks and Wildlife jurisdiction, so anyone 16 or older needs a valid Colorado fishing license. You can buy one online through the CPW website or at local sporting goods stores in Fort Collins. Check CPW's site for current pricing and any habitat stamp requirements, as those details change year to year.
What species can I realistically expect to catch at Fort Collins area waters?
Horsetooth Reservoir holds walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, wiper, and catfish, making it the most species-diverse option on this list. The smaller ponds and lakes like Riverbend Pond #6, Prospect Pond #3, Sheldon Lake, and McMurry Park Lake are typically stocked with rainbow trout in cooler months and support warmwater species like bluegill and bass in summer. Douglas Reservoir leans more toward warmwater fishing.
What time of day is best for fishing these waters?
Early morning and the hour or two before sunset are consistently the most productive windows, especially in summer when midday heat pushes fish deeper or into shade. At Horsetooth Reservoir, walleye in particular tend to feed more actively in low light. On the smaller ponds, trout stocked by CPW are often most active in morning before water temperatures climb.
Do I need a boat, or is bank fishing viable?
Bank fishing is genuinely viable at most of these spots. The ponds — Riverbend Pond #6 and Prospect Pond #3 — are designed for bank access and don't require a boat at all. Sheldon Lake and McMurry Park Lake also have accessible shorelines. Horsetooth Reservoir is large enough that a boat opens up significantly more water, but bank anglers do catch fish there, particularly near the dam and cove areas.
When is the best season to fish in Fort Collins?
Spring and fall are the strongest overall seasons. Trout fishing on the smaller stocked ponds and lakes picks up in March through May and again in September through November when water temperatures are in a comfortable range for recently stocked fish. Horsetooth Reservoir fishes well for bass and wiper through summer, and walleye action there tends to be best in spring and early fall. Ice fishing is not typically viable at these waters given Fort Collins' relatively mild winters.
