Horseshoe Reservoir, Walsenburg Colorado - Horseshoe Reservoir located in the Lathrop State Park provides opportunities to catch trout, sauger, black bass, catfish, and tiger muskie.
Horseshoe Lake is one of two lakes in Colorado’s first state park, Lathrop. Sitting in the shadow of the Spanish Peaks this 1,594 acre park offers its visitors far more than just excellent fishing opportunities. The area’s mild climate provides for year round camping, scenic mountain views, hiking, picnicking, camping, and even golf in addition to the water sports such as swimming, and boating. Horse is limited to wakeless boating, making it any ideal place for canoes, kayaks, and sailboats.
There is significant structure in Horseshoe such as weed beds, rock islands, and man-made piers for fishers to seek out the numerous thriving species. This water offers anglers a rare opportunity to fish for sauger, rather than its cousins, saugeye and walleye. Bluegill, smallmouth, and largemouth bass, as well as heavily stocked rainbow trout are frequently caught. For the fisher looking for larger quarry, muskies of giant proportions are known for prowl this reservoir, as well as some very large channel catfish. Other species fisher’s may encounter, include green sunfish, carp, suckers, and crappie. It should be noted gizzard shad is a primary forage fish.
Testing has determined that mercury levels in some sizes of sauger and smallmouth bass in the reservoir exceed the State’s human health standard. Please see the fish consumption advisory posted at the reservoir or refer to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website.
2009 CDOW Fishing Forecast
Sauger
Horseshoe offers a rare opportunity in the State of Colorado to catch “pure” sauger. The reservoir contains a low density, high quality population of sauger and anglers have the opportunity to take a new state record fish. Sauger prefer rocky substrate and can be caught using a variety of bass or walleye techniques. Anglers need to be aware of the Department of Health Consumption Advisory for sauger in Horseshoe due to mercury contamination.
Catfish
Horseshoe contains only channel catfish and the population is relatively small but high quality. Anglers with the persistence to catch catfish can catch low numbers of high quality fish with some fish going in the 20 pound range. Common catfish techniques are all successful.
Other Species
Trout fishing is a staple for the reservoir and trout are stocked heavily throughout the season. Trout can be caught from shore as well as from boats casting or trolling. Horseshoe also has a very good fishery for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Numbers are high with lots of small fish. Some largemouth have been caught in the 6 pound range and smallmouth in the 3 pound range are occasionally caught. Crappie populations are on the rise in Horseshoe and anglers who are willing to work for them may see some reasonable catches in 2009. Since 2006 Horseshoe has produced four master angler smallmouth bass.
Getting there: Three miles west of Walsenburg on U.S. Highway 160 Fees: Colorado State Parks Pass. Daily - $6 Boating: Wakeless. Wakeless boating only. Ice Fishing: Allowed, but not recommended
Pinon Campground has pull-through paved sites, electrical hookups, flush toilets, laundry facilities, a shower house, a playground and access to the amphitheater. Pinon Campground Loop D has electric sites and is open throughout winter months.
Yucca# of Sites: 21 Fees: n/a
Yucca Campground has 21 campsites plus two group camping areas, which provides a basic camping experience with gravel pull-in spaces and vault toilets. This area can accommodate tents, pop-up campers, small camper vans and pickup trucks with camper tops.
