Colorado is a great spot for walleye fishing. We’re about to tell you about several lakes throughout the state with large numbers of these toothy critters. We’ll also show you how to catch this delicious fish. So read on, grab your gear, and hit some of Colorado’s best walleye fishing lakes.
Colorado’s Front Range residents are really in luck because a majority of the best fishing lakes anywhere in the state are right along the state’s major population corridor. There’s a good chance you won’t have to go far to catch big walleye.
Other excellent walleye waters around the state see less fishing pressure and might provide a better view. If you’re up for a drive, head south or west to one of our top choices a little farther outside the cities, and you’ll find walleyes waiting for you.
Walleye Fishing Tactics
Walleye are a heavily sought-after game fish. Known for their excellent table fare, they also offer great fun to catch on the water.
Walleye are most active in the spring. Catch rates dip into the summer but often perk back up when the cooler weather returns into at least October. Ice fishing can be productive but isn’t at the caliber of spring fishing.
The best walleye catching tips start with searching out points, inlets, and deeper water along structures where the walleye tend to hold near the bottom. Then, target these areas with a bottom bouncer and worm harness.
Humps, riprap, and rocky mounds are some of the submerged structures that will typically hold walleye throughout the year, so don’t overlook them as you learn a new walleye fishery.
Good baits are worms, Rapala Shad Raps, and jigs in chartreuse and orange. Crankbaits will pull in fish, especially in May and June, when they are most active.
A decent walleye rod should be fast or extra fast action and have enough backbone to bring in the big one.
Use a quality fishing line in a 6- to 12-pound mono or 15-pound braid. Be sure to use a very clear leader. A fluorocarbon leader is a good option.
This setup should handle all the best walleye fishing that Colorado can throw at you.
The Best Walleye Fishing in Colorado
With so many excellent lakes to choose from, it’s a difficult task to limit this list to a few, but we’ll do our best. Colorado has been aggressively planting walleye throughout the state, so it may also pay off to try out additional waters.
Colorado Parks & Wildlife staff collect eggs from several of the state’s better walleye reservoirs and then stock the hatched fry in a wider number of lakes.
Now let’s get into the best walleye fishing spots in Colorado.
Pueblo Reservoir (Lake Pueblo)
Lake Pueblo has a long history of being at the center of Colorado’s walleye fishing.
The lake is on the outskirts of the city of Pueblo and has campgrounds and facilities for just about everything you’ll need. If you can’t find what you need lakeside, the city is 5 minutes away.
In recent years, the CPW has harvested record numbers of walleye eggs during the spawn while still leaving enough large fish to ensure the reservoir has a significant walleye population. Due to the spawn collection, the CPW has placed several restrictions on harvesting walleye here.
Any walleye under 18 inches must be released, and you can keep just one over 21 inches. Check the current regulations before heading out.
The spawn starts in early spring, bringing with it the hottest bite of the year. The fishing sizzles through June before cooling off when the shad population explodes.
Catching walleye in the depths of summer can be tough, so many experienced walleye anglers here wait until September for things to heat back up at this reservoir.
Boat fishing is the most productive way to catch walleye at Pueblo. There are huge numbers of fish to be found, but you may have to search around to find them.
One great tactic is to locate the crappie in the lake. Large walleye should be in the same area.
Pueblo Reservoir is on the Arkansas River, about an hour south of Colorado Springs.
Cherry Creek Reservoir
Cherry Creek is another must for walleye anglers and another place where CPW might tap a naturally large walleye population for its stocking program.
Located just east of Denver, this suburban reservoir offers epic walleye, bass, and trout fishing, with walleye being the clear standout.
Trolling for walleye is very effective here. Use a bottom bouncer and a worm harness with a juicy nightcrawler, and you should find success.
Spring offers the chance to catch a lot of walleye. There are some real beasts in here as well.
Take the time to get to know the lake’s contours and troll off the riprap and around the rocks on the south end. Make a loop through the area, then rinse and repeat.
Shore anglers do well from the fishing pier and along the east shoreline. The south end of the lake also holds good numbers, though the best time there is in the fall.
If you’re struggling with catching walleye, try your luck with the wipers, largemouth bass, and trout. Rainbow trout are planted regularly to keep the fishery active.
The surrounding area has everything you’ll need, from food to tackle. Lodging is everywhere, and there’s camping available in the summer.
Walleye tactics also are fairly likely to result in at least an occasional bass on your hook, especially since this is one of the top largemouth bass fishing lakes in the state.
Chatfield Reservoir
Chatfield is another suburban fishery near Denver, and another place can at times help support the state’s walleye spawning and stocking efforts.
Walleye and smallmouth dominate this reservoir, with trophy walleyes cruising around.
The inlet from Deer Creek is epic in the spring. Big walleye are in there for the spawn. Check current regulations to ensure no closures are occurring.
The South Platte River inlet has excellent fishing year-round, including ice fishing in the winter, with plenty of gradual shores and rocky structures. Try hitting this area just before sundown for the best action.
Trolling near the dam can be good. Or set up along the riprap if you’re fishing from this area from shore. Nightcrawlers are the go-to, though jerkbaits also do well.
Troll the area between Massey Draw and Deer Creek. Adjust depth and try to target suspended fish in this area.
The fishing pier lets you get away from the shoreline but can be crowded on weekends. Trout, bass, and crappie fishing can be good at the pier.
Concessions at the marina and Chatfield State Park provide everything from fishing tackle to snacks, and there are four campgrounds to check out if you’re looking for a place to camp.
If you fish with bait, you’re fairly likely to land other species of fish, including some of the better channel catfish populations in Colorado.
Horsetooth Reservoir
You’ll find Horsetooth Reservoir in the hills just west of Fort Collins. The walleye fishing here is just one reason you should hit this lake.
There are multiple game fish species and lots of them to go around. You’ll be hard-pressed to head home skunked, whether you’re after tasty walleye or some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in Colorado. Then there are trout, crappie, bluegill, tiger muskies, catfish, and white bass also sharing Horsetooth Reservoir.
First thing in the spring, as soon as the ice starts coming off the lake, head to the north end. Fish the mouth of the coves. The walleye move into the coves and inlets here to spawn.
Summertime brings a major slowdown for walleye. There’s hope, in any case. Late August and early September begin another active bite after the lull.
Again, head to the north end and troll at a depth of 15 to 18 feet between Soldier Canyon Cove and Eltuck Bay. Be careful to avoid shallow submerged rocks around the island.
McIntosh Reservoir
McIntosh Reservoir is just outside Longmont. The area has plenty of facilities, and Boulder is only a short drive.
The walleye fishing in McIntosh can be exceptional. But unfortunately, it can also be nonexistent. The summer months are a wash here, though spring and fall can be epic.
The sampling numbers of walleye have shown increases yearly, so the fish are there. Big ones are mixed in with plenty of pan-sized ‘eyes.
Spring fishing along the south shore is the best of the year. The south shore offers the best bank fishing access and can get crowded on weekends. Try your luck early and late in the day during the week.
Fall fishing is also good, with most anglers still focused on the south end. Most walleye are in this area. In addition, there are good numbers of bluegill and trout.
Carter Lake
Carter Lake is another potential egg collection lake for the CPW. Walleye over 21 inches must be released immediately.
That means this Loveland-area lake has some real trophy walleye you can catch, photograph, and release. Be sure to read up on the latest regulations before fishing.
The lake is three miles long and up to a mile wide, making it a challenge to locate schools of walleye. Start by fishing the plentiful riprap and other rocky structures throughout the reservoir.
Spring brings the best opportunity here. Target the west side at dusk/nightfall. Tossing jerkbaits from shore can bring fast action.
Try the same technique in the fall. Fish the west side on those autumn nights until the lake ices over. Once it’s fishable through the ice, a few hundred feet from the western shoreline has some excellent fish-holding structure.
If the ‘eyes aren’t biting, try your luck with the trout. The lake’s full of them.
You will find plenty of camping available around the lake and everything else you might need in Loveland or Berthoud.
Lonetree Reservoir
Lonetree has some huge walleye. With that said, we recommend you avoid it on nice weekends. It’s likely to be full of boaters and jet skis. There are excellent campgrounds, so plan on staying for a few days around mid-week.
Bank fishing on the northwest shoreline in spring can be productive. Use worms for your best bet here.
Trolling or jigging from a boat near the reservoir’s inlet can be fantastic. Spring and again in the fall are your top options. Spring crappie fishing is good in this area as well.
Trolling in 12-15 feet in the mornings along the shoreline around the lake is a must. Use a worm harness with a bottom bouncer. If they’re not at that depth, move farther out and target 22-26 feet.
If you’re not catching walleyes from the shore, move after half an hour or so. If you catch some crappie, keep targeting the area, and you should get a few ‘eyes.
The reservoir is between Fort Collins and Boulder, and well under an hour’s drive from either city.
Catch More Walleye
Fish the lakes listed in this article and follow the technique and timing tips that go with them to raise your chances of catching more walleye in Colorado.
If you’d like to kick up your walleye game a notch or two, check out the top tactics, lures, and gear in our simple guide to walleye fishing.