Larimer County, CO · Reservoir
Horsetooth Reservoir
A 1,900-acre foothills reservoir west of Fort Collins, managed by Larimer County. Deep, clear water known for smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, and stocked rainbow trout.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye & Rainbow Trout — tied at the top (43/100)
4 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Horsetooth Reservoir.
Air Quality Alert issued June 5 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Horsetooth Reservoir
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 4 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Smallmouth Bass Marginal conditions for Smallmouth Bass. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 5
Largemouth and smallmouth in aggregate: 5/day, 15" minimum east of the Continental Divide; smallmouth are unlimited west of the Divide.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#1 Largemouth Bass Marginal conditions for Largemouth Bass. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 5
Largemouth and smallmouth in aggregate: 5/day, 15" minimum statewide.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#1 Walleye Marginal conditions for Walleye. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Daily creel
- 5
Statewide: 5/day, 5 in possession. Several Front Range reservoirs are more restrictive (an 18" minimum).
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#1 Rainbow Trout Marginal conditions for Rainbow Trout. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Oncorhynchus mykiss — The most heavily stocked trout in Maryland. Put-and-take fisheries across the state plus holdover/wild fish in Western MD streams (Savage, Youghiogheny tailwater, Gunpowder). Takes PowerBait, small spinners, and standard dry/nymph patterns.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 4
Statewide trout aggregate: 4/day, 8 in possession (rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat). No statewide minimum size; many waters carry slot or gear restrictions — confirm the water-specific CPW rule.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#5 Yellow Perch Marginal conditions for Yellow Perch. In season 37/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — yellow perch prefers slack tide
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Perca flavescens — Late-winter and early-spring favorite. Schools up in tidal tributaries for the pre-spawn run in February and March, taking small minnows, shad darts, and small jigs. A classic Eastern Shore "neds" fishery.
Prefers. Water 45–70°F (ideal 58°F) · slack tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 20
20/day east of the Continental Divide; unlimited west of the Divide.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Colorado non-tidal
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Horsetooth Reservoir: Colorado Parks & Wildlife fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Horsetooth Reservoir?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Horsetooth Reservoir you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Horsetooth Reservoir?
Horsetooth Reservoir is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Rainbow Trout, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Horsetooth Reservoir?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Horsetooth Reservoir against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Horsetooth Reservoir have?
Horsetooth Reservoir has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Horsetooth Reservoir?
state agency regulations apply at Horsetooth Reservoir. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Horsetooth Reservoir tidal water?
No. Horsetooth Reservoir is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.