Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Lakes ยท South Platte Basin
Horsetooth Reservoir sits in the foothills right above Fort Collins, with walleye, smallmouth bass, trout and wipers in clear, deep water.
Looking for the latest Horsetooth Reservoir fishing report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with current conditions, wind, stocking news and the flies working now at Horsetooth Reservoir.
Water level
Wind forecast
Horsetooth Reservoir fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The water is cooling and fish are moving shallower near the points and coves.
Strip streamers along rocky points for smallmouth and trout, and fish slow and deep for walleye at low light.
Stocking report
Recent trout stocking from Colorado Parks and Wildlife's weekly report.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Horsetooth Reservoir, bring: Clouser Minnow #2-6, Woolly Bugger #6-8, Crayfish #6, Chironomid #14-18, Balanced Leech #10-12, Balanced Bou Leech #10-12, Slump Buster #6-8, Egg #12-14, Scud Bomb #12-16, Pitching Leech #10.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Horsetooth Reservoir lake details
| Access | Horsetooth Reservoir County Park, off County Road 38E west of Fort Collins. A Larimer County parks pass is required. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 5,430 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 84 miles, roughly 1 hour 47 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Spring through fall |
| Fish | Walleye, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, wipers and yellow perch |
| Regulations | Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 3X to 4X tippet |
| Ice fishing | Rarely safe ice. Fish open water. |
| Camping | South Bay and Inlet Bay campgrounds |
| Kids | Yes at the coves and Satanka Cove. |
| Good to know | Clear water. Long casts and low light help. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Slow and cold.
Spring
Walleye and trout move shallow.
Summer
Smallmouth on the points.
Fall
Smallmouth and walleye feed before winter.
How to get there
Take I-25 north to Fort Collins, then go west on Harmony Road and County Road 38E to the reservoir.