Fishing around Fort Collins

[publichunter1]

Some of you already know that I'm moving to Fort Collins for a year later this month. Already have a deer hunt and elk hunt planned but am looking to do some fishing while I'm up there. My elk hunt will be over toward Walden so don't mind fishing over that way too.

I have fished for bass, catfish, crappie, and bream all of my life but have only caught a few small trout over in East Tennessee so I'm really new to that style of fishing. I'm sure it will be fun figuring out by myself but would not turn down any advice anyone is willing to share. Even if it's just a good local shop in the area that could help me out.

Going to try and catch every species I can while I'm there including hopefully a pike or two. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Backstrap]

I've never fished right around Fort Collins, but there seem to be quite a few ponds in the area. I think Loveland has a pond with warmwater species in it. I have fished the Big Thompson River around Estes Park and it is really good. Try behind all of the bars and the visitor center just upstream of Lake Estes. Also, Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place to learn to fly fish! Ask in town for specific suggestions.

 

[vanish]

Tons of great fishing right in Fort Collins. Lots of ponds / small lakes.

The fishing over by Walden is almost all trout, but excellent, as well.

On your way to Walden, fish Joe Wright reservoir for Grayling. Very few places to catch those!

http://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/index.html?app=FishingAtlas

 

[wytex]

Good lakes outside of Walden. Check that Beaver Creek fire , might be in your unit. Pike fishing in Steamboat Springs and Stagecoach Res. has good fishing also.

 

[Southwind]

There is horsetooth, of course the Poudre, Red feather lakes. Tons of small creeks and ponds and you are a short drive to a lot of other great fishing like the North Platte just north in Wyoming.

 

[publichunter1]

Thanks for all of the input guys. Will definitely give most if not all of these a try. Really hope to do several types of fishing while I'm up that way but majorly excited about doing some fly fishing for trout.

@Vanish: I didn't even know they had Grayling in the area. Will definitely have to try that.

@wytex: Yeah the Beaver Creek fire took out my main area I was planning to hunt but that is the nice thing about the OTC Archery Elk Tag is that you can move around. Thanks for the heads up though.

 

[MinneFoCo]

The guys at St Petes fly shop (there's 2 locations) have been really good to me!

 

[publichunter1]

The guys at St Petes fly shop (there's 2 locations) have been really good to me!

Thanks for the heads up. Will definitely look them up when I get there.