The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Horsetooth Reservoir
Larimer County, Colorado · 1,900 acres (3 sq mi)
56°F water, calm this morning.
About Horsetooth Reservoir
Horsetooth Reservoir spreads over 1,900 acres in Larimer County, Colorado. Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins was built in 1949 as part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.
It stretches about 6.5 miles end to end with roughly 18.6 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 5,400 ft above sea level. It reaches about 200 ft at its deepest. The nearest town, Laporte, is about 2.4 miles north.
- Size
- 1,900 acres (3 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 200 ft
- Shoreline
- About 18.6 miles
- End to end
- About 6.5 miles
- Elevation
- About 5,400 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- County
- Larimer County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
- 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Sunday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 2 mph
- 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 6 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Horsetooth Reservoir
The fish here: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, trout, striped bass and crappie. With the surface at 56°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- FairSmallmouth bass
Picking up. Look on rocky points and gravel.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- GoodWalleye
Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
- GoodTrout
Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
- GoodStriped bass
Comfortable range. Watch for birds and surface feeding.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:45 am · sunset 4:44 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Horsetooth Reservoir
- Laporteabout 2.4 mi north
- Fort Collinsabout 3.9 mi northeast
- Lovelandabout 8.3 mi south
- Wellingtonabout 11 mi northeast
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Questions about Horsetooth Reservoir
What fish are in Horsetooth Reservoir?
Horsetooth Reservoir holds smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, trout, striped bass and crappie. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Horsetooth Reservoir?
About 200 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Horsetooth Reservoir?
1,900 acres, with about 18.6 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Horsetooth Reservoir?
Laporte is about 2.4 miles north; Fort Collins is about 3.9 miles northeast.
What is the water temperature at Horsetooth Reservoir today?
The surface was about 56°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Horsetooth Reservoir on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
