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Boyd Lake which is open year-round is one of the busiest recreation lakes in Northern Colorado. Besides offering just about every amenity you could think of for recreational users, the lake is a haven for many warmwater fish species.
Families will enjoy the numerous picnic and day-use areas, the large swim beach and its pavilion with showers and concessions, horseshoe pits, volleyball court, and playground. Bikers, runners, and walkers take advantage of the extensive paved trail system around the lake that connects with the Loveland trail system. These trails may be used in the winter for cross country skiing as well.
The lake is divided east/west across the middle the entire lake is open to boating and sailing with the southern half designated for water skiing. With close proximity to Loveland and other northern Front Range populations, the lake is popular with campers, boaters, water skiers, jet skiers, and other water recreation enthusiasts. Nearly 150 campsites are offered in the park each with a grill, picnic table, and electrical hookup, and cater to tents, campers, trailers, and RV’s. Fishing is good for white bass, panfish and perch and walleye. Trout are also routinely taken in the 3-5 pound range.
2010 CDOW fishing forecast:
Walleye –The 2009 gillnet survey indicates walleye fishing at Boyd Lake will be slightly better for legal fish (>15”) compared with recent history. Depicted in the graph is the number of walleye sampled using gillnets with the number of walleye sampled standardized per net by year. Overall abundance more than doubled since 2008 driven by the excellent survival of the 40,000 walleye fingerlings stocked in June 2009 (source: Pueblo hatchery). The walleye stocked in 2009 (blue category 51%) will not exceed the 15” minimum until the spring of 2011. Additional walleye will be stocked in 2010. Virtually no natural production occurs at this reservoir.
Channel Catfish –Because of the sedentary nature of catfish, sampling this species can be difficult. Accordingly anglers should take catfish abundance at Boyd with a grain of salt. Although abundance is low, catfish size in Boyd is quite large. Big cats were sampled during each year of netting (2006-2009). The largest channel cat sampled in 2009 measured 25 inches and weighed 8.2 pounds. During 2008, 50,000 fingerlings were stocked in Boyd with an additional 14,000 stocked during 2009.
Rainbow Trout –Thousands of 10-inch rainbow trout are stocked annually at Boyd. In general the number we sample is relatively low by design as the vast majority of fish are stocked in the spring or well after we complete the survey. For example, 5002 trout were stocked between 10/14 and 10/24/09, almost 1 month after the gillnet survey. These fish are stocked for the benefit of all anglers but especially those fishing on the ice.
Smallmouth Bass -Smallmouth bass are stocked annually in Boyd but often go undetected in our survey. Although we will continue to stock this species, hopes are smallmouth can partially reproduce on their own (see Boulder and HorsetoothReservoirs). Natural production by this species is highly dependent on stable water levels. Nesting and egg deposition typically occurs during May. Accordingly, reservoir drawdown during June-July can severely limit natural production. Unfortunately smallmouth bass were unavailable from the Wray hatchery in 2009 but I suspect natural production during 2009 was quite good. Smallmouth enjoy rock outcroppings and eating crayfish. They can be difficult to locate Boyd . Good fishing in 2010!
Getting there: Take I-25 to US 34 and exit west to Loveland. Go north on Madison Street 1 mile to East 37th St. Go east 0.5 mile on Larimer County Road 11C, turn north and drive to the entrance.
Fees: Colorado State Parks Pass
Daily vehicle passes are $7 from May 1 through September 30. They are $6 from October 1 through April 30
Boating: All Boats Allowed. Boating is restricted in certain sections of the lake. Observe counter clockwise flow of traffic.
Boat launch times are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. due to boat inspections for invasive species.
Ice Fishing: Ice fishing allowed |
