Fish Explorer is a member-driven resource for Colorado lakes, designed to make it easy for you to find lakes, fish species, maps, and fishing tips and reports. Help us maintain current water temps, water levels, and other elements by submitting lake updates.
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Adobe Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake) Alberta Park Reservoir Antero Reservoir Arvada Reservoir Aurora Reservoir Barker Reservoir Barnes Meadow Reservoir Barr Lake Bear Creek Lake Beaver Creek Reservoir Beaver Lake Big Creek Lake(lower) Big Creek Lake(upper) Big Thompson Ponds Blue Mesa Reservoir Boedecker Reservoir Bonny Reservoir Boulder Reservoir Boyd Lake Brush Hollow Reservoir Carter Lake Chambers Lake Chatfield Reservoir Cheesman Reservoir Cherry Creek Reservoir Clear Creek Reservoir Cowdrey Lake Crawford Reservoir Daigre and Wahatoya Lake DeWeese Reservoir Dillon Reservoir Dixon Reservoir Douglas Reservoir Dowdy Lake East Delaney Echo Canyon Reservoir Elaine T. Valente Open Space Eleven Mile Reservoir Elkhead Reservoir Estes Lake Evergreen Lake Flatiron Reservoir Georgetown Lake Granby Lake Grand Lake Green Mountain Reservoir Gross Reservoir Harriman Lake Harvey Gap Reservoir Haviland Lake Highline Lake Hohnholz Lake #2 Hohnholz Lake #3 Horseshoe Reservoir (Lathrop SP) Horsetooth Reservoir Jackson Gulch Reservoir Jackson Lake Jefferson Lake Jerry Creek Reservoirs Jim Baker Reservoir Joe Wright Reservoir John Martin Reservoir Jumbo Annex Jumbo Reservoir (Julesburg) Kenney Reservoir Lagerman Reservoir Lake Avery Lake Henry Lake John Lake San Cristobal Lon Hagler Reservoir Lonetree Reservoir Long Draw Reservoir Loveland Lake Mack Mesa Lake Martin Lake Marys Lake McPhee Reservoir Meadow Creek Reservoir Mesa Lake Miramonte Reservoir (Dan Noble SWA) Monument Lake (El Paso County) Mount Elbert Forebay Navajo Reservoir Nee Gronda Reservoir Nee Noshe Reservoir North Delaney North Michigan Reservoir North Sterling Reservoir Paonia Reservoir Parvin Lake Pearl Lake Pinewood Reservoir Platoro Reservoir Prewitt Reservoir Pueblo Reservoir Quincy Reservoir Rampart Reservoir Ridgway Reservoir Rifle Gap Reservoir Road Canyon Reservoir Rocky Mountain Arsenal Ruedi Reservoir Sanchez Reservoir Seaman Reservoir Seymour Lake Shadow Mountain Reservoir Skaguay Reservoir Smith Lake (Lar. Cty.) Smith Reservoir (Costilla Cty) South Delaney Spinney Mountain Reservoir Spratt-Platte Lake St. Vrain State Park (Barbour Ponds) Stagecoach Reservoir Stalker Lake Standley Lake Steamboat Lake Stearns Lake Summit Reservoir Sweitzer Lake Sylvan Lake Tarryall Reservoir Taylor Park Reservoir Thornton Gravel Ponds #2 & #3 Thurston Reservoir Trappers Lake Trinidad Reservoir Trujillo Meadows Lake Turquoise Lake Twin Lakes Union Reservoir Vallecito Reservoir Vega Reservoir Watson Lake Wellington Reservoir #4 West Lake Williams Creek Reservoir Williams Fork Reservoir Willow Creek Reservoir Windsor Lake Wolford Mountain Reservoir
Go to River... Arkansas River Below Pueblo Reservoir Arkansas River Headwaters Arkansas River Lower Bear Creek Big Thompson River Blue River (Below Dillon Res) Blue River (Below Green Mtn Res) Cache La Poudre River (Lower Canyon) Cache La Poudre River (Upper Canyon) Clear Creek Colorado River Byers Canyon to Kremmling Colorado River Granby to Byers Canyon Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero Eagle River (Lower) Eagle River (Upper) Frying Pan River Gunnison River (Black Canyon) Gunnison River (Upper) Roaring Fork River - Upper Roaring Fork River - Lower Roaring Fork River - Middle South Platte - Cheesman Canyon South Platte - Deckers South Platte - Downtown Denver South Platte - Dream Stream South Platte - Eleven Mile Canyon Williams Fork River Yampa River - Steamboat Springs Yampa River - Steamboat to Hayden Yampa River below Stagecoach Res
Just an Average Fisherman Run after the dream of becoming more than just an average fisherman by: Johnny Wimberly (JED) Longtime FxR member and supporter Johnny "JED" Wimberly takes us through his journey over the past few years in re-discovering fishing and the bonds created on the water.Carp on the Fly Part 2 Cloopers, Mudders, and Rooters! by: Barry Reynolds In part two of this fly fishing for carp series, Barry goes into detail discussing some of the easier carp to approach - mudding and rooting fish. Also included: matching the seed hatch for surface cloopers!Chasing Master Anglers Digging into Master Angler Data by: David Coulson The CDOW Master Angler program is a neat way to be rewarded for catching big fish. Dave takes it a step further in this article, presenting data from historic Awards to illustrate interesting and helpful tidbits about Colorado's biggest fish catches.Carp on the Fly Carp on the fly: presentation, presentation, presentation... by: Barry Reynolds Fly fishing for carp is more than a physical game, it is largely a mind numbing puzzle. Barry Reynolds, one of the leading advocates of this endeavor presents some of the most essential elements of turning your biglip quest into a forearm straining success.Fly Fishing for Catfish Understanding our Quarry by: David Coulson A must-read article for all catfish anglers, Dave discusses everything from common catfish misconceptions to the flies he uses to catch them. If you ever fish for cats, or are a fly fisherman looking for a unique new challenge, grab a drink and settle in for a great read...A Case for Carp Carp fly fishing in Colorado by: Andrew Spinato and Mark Kyner In this article, Longmont's Andrew Spinato and Mark Kyner argue the case for Carp, and promote the fishing for them, despite carp's stray from what are traditionally considered pretty and romantic fish.Boyd Reservoir from a Fly Fisher's Perspective Fly Fishing Boyd Lake by: David Coulson If you plan to ever fish Boyd Lake in Loveland, you will not want to miss Dave's in-depth take the lake. Geared from a fly-fishers perspective, the article details 14 hot spots in writing, pinpointed on the map.Fall Wiper on the Fly Fly fishing for wiper in cold water by: Matt Snider Don't put away the boat, don't put away your gear. Wiper fishing in the fall offers tremendous fights and big fat fish that will warm you on these cool crisp days. In this article Matt describes the techniques and approaches he uses fly fishing for fall wiper.Things that go Thump in the Night Fishing shorelines at night for Big Brown Trout by: Bernie Keefe Patience and a headlamp can boost your chances of landing a big brown this fall. Bernie Keefe describes his stealthy, shallow, and patient techniques for fall brown trout fishing at night.Getting started Fly Fishing Warm Water Turning your trout outfit towards warm water species by: David Coulson Don't think that fly fishing is reserved for only trout. Dave discusses the basics of warm water fly fishing in this article including why trout fly-fishermen do not have to break the bank to begin a quest for warm water species.Moody Muddy Carp Sight fishing carp gets tougher with poor visibilty and moody fish by: Matt Snider Carp are not praised by many. Warmwater flyfishing is difficult. So why not combine the two and see what you get? Often considered easy fish to catch, carp will mostly prove this theory wrong. They are largely more spooky and finicky than trout. But the payoff is in their size and strength.The Wiper Fly Fishing Experience, Part 2 With some guidance on finding wiper, here's the rest of the story. by: Matt Snider Finding Wiper is perhaps the toughest part of fishing for them. Part 2 of this series delves into the gear, the flies, the presentation, the fight, and some places to find these fish in Colorado.The Wiper Fly Fishing Experience, Part 1 Wiper on the fly in the Rockies, who could ask for more? by: Matt Snider Wiper fly fishing can be an exhilarating experience on some days and drive you crazy on others. This article dives into the various dynamics of the fish and aims to provide some building blocks to get you through the tough times.Going Deep Fly Fishing Getting down deep with fly fishing gear.
by: Jeff Wagner Fly fishing to warmwater fish often means you will need to get deep with your flies. Jeff runs through some of the equipment and techniques of doing so in this article which is part one of a series.Warmwater Flyfishing at the Core Core elements of fishing will boost your fly fishing success by: Matt Snider Whether you are an experienced fisherman turning to fly, or a fly fisherman new to warmwater, re-visiting the core elements of angling will boost your success.Crappie Fly Fishing with Streamers In support of the Super Slabs by: Matt Snider OK so crappie may not be on your list of gamefish to conquer, but these hardy fish can prove to be a lot of fun, especially on a fly rod. So whistle your favorite family sitcom tune, sling a fly rod over your shoulder, and stroll on down to your waterin' hole for some crappie...Wiper Watch by: Dennis McKinney - Colorado Division of Wildlife
by: Dennis McKinney When wipers prowl the shallows of warmwater reservoirs in spring, the elusive open-water predators bring the excitement of their speed and power within the reach of anglers on shore...