Horsetooth Reservoir CO fishing forecast
Horsetooth Reservoir CO is a freshwater fishing spot in Colorado, United States. Anglers here target Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout. The most productive months are typically April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #260 of 419 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
Trending down — 3 points below this spot’s 7-day average
Score confidence ±12 points, from 6 live signals
The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 21.0 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 7 km/h from NNE, gusting 21 km/h |
| Pressure | 1008 hPa |
| Cloud cover | 100% |
| Chlorophyll | 0.26 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 0.0 PSU |
| UV index | 0 |
| Wind sea | 0.0 m |
| Ground swell | 0.0 m at 0 s |
The water is running true to season — within a few tenths of the September average of 21.0 °C for this location. The water is mixed to about 26.7 m, with the thermocline below that.
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Horsetooth Reservoir CO
Horsetooth Reservoir CO currently scores 69 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 21.0 °C. 6 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +15.0
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Wind +12.0
- surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
- Barometric pressure +4.4
- falling pressure often triggers feeding
- Thermocline +3.0
- a defined layer stacks fish at one depth
- Moon phase +2.4
- lunar feeding rhythm
- Pre-storm bite +2.4
- the classic feed before heavy weather
What’s biting now
The model expects today: smallmouth-bass, walleye, white-perch, golden-trout, atlantic-sturgeon, rock-bass, brown-bullhead, pumpkinseed
[object Object] — Protected here — release immediately
Bite windows
Best months for Horsetooth Reservoir CO:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-09-11, 81/100
15 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period
+5 points vs the same day last week
About this spot
Lakes have no tide, so target structure, drop-offs, and seasonal thermoclines where fish concentrate by depth and temperature.
Access & shore
Fishable from shore · beach
What you can catch
-
Sander vitreus
-
Micropterus dolomieu
-
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Best months by species at Horsetooth Reservoir CO
| WalleyeSander vitreus | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu | ||||||||||||
| Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykiss |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow TroutStatewide Bag & Possession Limits | 4/day, 8 in possession | — | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| The 4-fish limit is an AGGREGATE across trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon and mountain whitefish (kokanee excepted) — not 4 of each. Many Colorado waters are stricter: on the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Dam and on the Gunnison River above the US 50 bridge, all rainbow trout must be released immediately, and fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. | |||
| Smallmouth BassStatewide Bag & Possession Limits | 5/day, 5 in possession | — | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Five fish in aggregate with largemouth and spotted bass. WEST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE THERE IS NO LIMIT ON SMALLMOUTH — Colorado treats them as undesirable in western drainages, which covers the Gunnison and Roaring Fork. FishRadar shows the stricter east-side figure. At Horsetooth Reservoir the minimum size for smallmouth is 12 inches. | |||
| WalleyeStatewide Bag & Possession Limits | 5/day, 5 in possession | — | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Five fish in aggregate with saugeye and sauger statewide, but TEN in the Arkansas and South Fork of the Republican River drainages — which includes the Arkansas River. FishRadar shows the stricter statewide figure. Horsetooth Reservoir is stricter still: two fish, 21–24 inches. Within the Pueblo Reservoir State Wildlife Area the limit is five in aggregate at an 18-inch minimum, with no more than one over 21 inches per day. | |||
Licensing:
- freshwater-recreational — residents Resident adult annual (18–63) $44.87. Senior annual (64+) $12.96. Youth 16–17 $12.96. A 2026 Habitat Stamp ($12.76) is also required for anyone aged 18–64., non-residents Nonresident annual (16+) $124.01. Five-day $41.04. One-day $21.90.
FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. The figures here are Colorado STATEWIDE limits from the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure; a great many Colorado waters carry more restrictive rules under Chapter W-1 Article II, including several of the rivers and reservoirs on this site. Always check the water-specific entry in the current brochure (Special Regulations: Fishing Waters) before you fish.
Check Horsetooth Reservoir CO before you go
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Nearby spots
Explore 10 more fishing spots within 361 km of Horsetooth Reservoir CO.
-
Blue River CO
South Platte River CO
Fryingpan River CO
Arkansas River Colorado
Roaring Fork River CO
Roaring Fork Colorado
Arkansas River CO
Blue Mesa Reservoir CO
Gunnison River Colorado
Green River UT
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Horsetooth Reservoir CO?
Anglers at Horsetooth Reservoir CO target Walleye, Smallmouth Bass and Rainbow Trout.
When is the best time to fish Horsetooth Reservoir CO?
The most productive months at Horsetooth Reservoir CO are typically April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
What is the fishing forecast for Horsetooth Reservoir CO right now?
Horsetooth Reservoir CO currently scores 69 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Can you fish Horsetooth Reservoir CO from shore?
Yes — Horsetooth Reservoir CO is fishable from shore (beach).
Is the thermocline set up at Horsetooth Reservoir CO right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch WalleyeHow to Catch Smallmouth BassBest Time of Day to Fish
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.