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Colorado · Fishing
Walsenburg sits at the foot of the Spanish Peaks in Huerfano County, and while it's not a destination anglers typically shout about, it holds a quiet collection of stillwater fishing spots worth knowing.
7 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 7 spots
Walsenburg sits at the foot of the Spanish Peaks in Huerfano County, and while it's not a destination anglers typically shout about, it holds a quiet collection of stillwater fishing spots worth knowing. The seven lakes and ponds in and around town are all lake or pond fisheries — no moving water in this lineup — so you're working the banks or a float tube rather than wading a river. Walsenburg Kids Pond is the most accessible entry point, designed with younger or newer anglers in mind and close to town. Martin Lake, Valdez Lake, Stanley Lake, Holita Reservoir, Arnold Flood Water Reservoir, and Horseshoe Lake round out the options, giving you enough variety to explore across a few days. Elevation in this part of Colorado sits around 6,000 feet, so summer mornings are cool and the afternoon sun hits hard — early starts pay off. These are front-range plains-adjacent waters, not alpine lakes, which shapes both the species you'll encounter and the conditions you'll fish in. Bring your own gear; there are no outfitters or guide services operating on these specific waters based on current listings.
The listings don't specify stocked species for each water body, so we can't give you a per-lake breakdown with confidence. Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks many front-range reservoirs and ponds with rainbow trout and warmwater species like bass and bluegill — check the CPW fishing atlas for current stocking records on Martin Lake, Valdez Lake, and the others before you make the drive.
The pond is tagged as a kids fishing spot, which typically means it's managed to give younger anglers a better shot at catching fish and may have special regulations restricting it to anglers under 15 on certain days or in certain areas. Check with Colorado Parks and Wildlife for any age-based rules before you show up as an adult expecting open access.
Bear Lake Campground
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Mingus Ranch
~1h 8m drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Blue Lake Campground - San Isabel NF
~48 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Horseshoe Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Purgatoire Campground
~51 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Holita Resevoir
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Spruce Group - Lake Isabel
~53 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Valdez Lake
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Ponderosa Group - Lake Isabel
~53 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Stanley Lake
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Lake Isabel Cabin
~53 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
McEvoy Lakes
~19 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Also worth it near here
Early morning is your best window. At roughly 6,000 feet elevation, summer afternoons bring strong sun and rising water temperatures that push fish deeper and slow surface activity. Plan to be on the water at or before sunrise and wrap up by mid-morning if you're fishing in June through August.
Yes, a valid Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older at all of these locations. You can purchase one online through Colorado Parks and Wildlife or at local sporting goods retailers. Walsenburg Kids Pond may have specific exemptions for younger anglers, but adults are not exempt.
A light to medium spinning setup covers most situations on these stillwater fisheries. Bring a selection of small spinners, PowerBait or similar dough baits, and a few jigs if you're targeting warmwater species. There are no boat ramps or rental facilities listed for these waters, so a float tube or fishing from the bank is your most practical approach.
