Bonny Reservoir, Burlington Colorado - Bonny State Park and Bonny Lake are a virtual oasis along the Kansas border providing great fishing for walleye and catfish. Species in Bonny Reservoir: Black Crappie, Carp, Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskie, Walleye, White Bass, Wiper
Bonny Reservoir located on the Kansas border provides some great warm water fishing. Bonny has a thriving population of walleye and catfish and a fair population of crappie, wipers, white bass and freshwater drum. Bonny is also a popular destination for recreation users and allows water-skiing, jet skiing and windsurfing. Due to the low water levels, the swim beach and marina are closed. Please check Colorado State Parks/Bonny website or call 970-354-7306 for the most current conditions. Due to the reductions in campsite numbers, reservations are strongly recommended for weekends during the spring and summer.
CDOW 2010 Forecast:
The present water level at Bonny Reservoir is about 18 feet below normal. In spite of the low water, the fishery is doing fair with some species adapting to the lower water levels better than others. Fishing for wipers and white bass is anticipated to be poor as these two species appear to be impacted by low water levels. On the other hand, fishing for walleye and channel catfish should be fair to good. Inventory efforts in 2009 revealed a very strong population of walleye with excellent representation of fish over 20 inches Please contact Colorado State Parks website for current boat launching conditions and recommendations as well as hours of operation as Bonny State Park has significantly changed it operations for 2010 due to budget cuts.
Getting there: During the summer on 2010, there will be road construction on Hwy 385 from Idalia to the park with long delays and detours for vehicles over 8 in width. If coming from Denver, better to go to Burlington on I-70 and then north on Hwy 385 to the park.
Previous directions: Take I-70 east to Byers, then east on U.S. 36 (approximately 108 miles) to Idalia. Continue east two miles on U.S. 36, then turn south on U.S. 385 to County Road 2. Go east on County Road 2 to the entrance. Fees: Colorado State Parks Pass Daily - $6 Annual - $60 Boating: All Boats Allowed. See State Parks condition report for any restrictions.
9/1/2010 - Bonny Reservoir - The State Water Engineer has stopped the flood water release! Boat ramps should be usable for the Labor day weekend with depth from 3.5 to 4 feet. Several walleye and white bass have been taken off the face of the dam with crankbaits. A few (some people with limits) catfish have also been taken off the north shore or off boats with typical baits. White bass have also been taken while schooling. Water temp is 75 degrees. The lake is open for boating for the summer with no decision yet on closing. No night operation allowed weekdays (Sunday night to Thursday night). Due to staffing reductions, there will be times that boating will be at your own risk.
Conditions History
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This campground has 87 sites and is located in the south portion of the park. Areas without natural shade have shade shelters over picnic tables. Electrical hookups are available at all campsites with both standard RV and household type 20, 30, 50 amp service. Coin operated showers and laundry facility are located at the camper services building. All facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.
This 16-site campground is located in the northwest section of Bonny Lake State Park. The nearest boat ramp, which is six miles from the site, is located near Wagon Wheel Campground. Foster Grove Campground features a vault toilet, water, coin-operated showers in camper services building, and a RV sanitation dump station. Seven of the campsites are equipped with electric hookups and site 25 is accessible to persons with disabilities.
New for 2010 The west half of the campground (Sites 16 to 42, except 25) has been closed due to budget reductions. Check the conditions page for the most current campground information.
