Colorado Bass Fishing – Our Guide To The Best Spots

Last April, I loaded my fishing kayak onto the truck at 4 AM, grabbed my favorite spinning rod, and headed to Pueblo Reservoir. The sunrise painted the Sangre de Cristo mountains pink as I launched into glass-calm water. Twenty minutes later, a chunky 4-pound largemouth nearly yanked my rod into the drink. That's when I realized Colorado bass fishing had been hiding in plain sight all along.

Most folks think Colorado is all about trout - and yeah, we've got world-class trout fishing. But after spending the last three years exploring every bass-worthy puddle from Fort Collins to Durango, I've discovered something the fly-fishing crowd doesn't want you to know: Colorado's bass fishing is absolutely on fire right now.

Why Colorado Bass Fishing Surprises Everyone?

Here's the thing - while everyone's elbow-to-elbow on the South Platte chasing rainbows, smart anglers are pulling hawg largemouths from reservoirs just 20 minutes outside Denver. The bass here might not grow Texas-sized, but what they lack in weight, they make up for in fight. That thin mountain air? It makes these fish scrappy as hell.

I learned this the hard way at Aurora Reservoir when a 3-pounder took me into my backing twice before I could lip it. My buddy Jake, who moved here from Florida, couldn't believe how hard these altitude-adjusted bass pull. "It's like they're on steroids," he said, watching his drag scream.

The best part? Most Colorado bass see way less pressure than their cousins in traditional bass states. I've fished popular spots on Saturday mornings and had entire coves to myself. Try that at Lake Fork or Guntersville.

Best Bass Fishing in Colorado - The Lakes That Deliver

Front Range Lakes - Where City Meets Country

Pueblo Reservoir This is my home water, and for good reason. Pueblo holds the trifecta - largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. The north shore's rocky points are smallmouth city in spring. I've caught 50 fish in a morning throwing drop shots along those breaks.

The key here? Work the 15-25 foot range in early summer. Those bass stack up on underwater humps like cordwood. Last June, using nothing but a watermelon red-flake Senko, I boated 17 bass before lunch, including a pig that went 5.5 pounds.

Cherry Creek Reservoir Don't let the sailboats and paddleboarders fool you - Cherry Creek is loaded with quality bass. The dam face holds monsters, especially in fall. I watched a kid pull a 6-pounder off the riprap using a square bill crankbait he probably bought at Walmart. Sometimes it really is that simple.

Pro tip: Launch at dawn from the west boat ramp. Work your way along the north shore before the weekend warriors show up. The weed edges in 8-12 feet are money from May through September.

Aurora Reservoir Aurora doesn't allow gas motors, which keeps the yahoos away. The result? Some of the best smallmouth fishing in the state. The reservoir record smallie went over 5 pounds, and I believe bigger ones swim here.

Fish the dam with tube jigs in spring. Drag them painfully slow - these educated bass want easy meals. The southeast corner has a killer grass bed that holds largemouths all summer. Throw a white spinnerbait over it at sunset and hang on.

Bass Fishing Colorado Springs Area - Hidden Gems

Living in the Springs means I've explored every pond within an hour's drive. Here's what most folks miss:

Rampart Reservoir Tucked up in the mountains above Woodland Park, Rampart gets cold. Really cold. But that means when the bass turn on in late June, they're hungry. The average fish runs bigger here than most Front Range lakes. I've caught my personal best Colorado largemouth here - 6 pounds, 3 ounces on a jerkbait in July.

The north shore has killer smallmouth habitat. Rocky drops, submerged timber, clear water - it's textbook. Use natural colors and downsize your presentations. These fish see everything in that gin-clear water.

Eleven Mile Reservoir Most people fish Eleven Mile for trout and pike. They're missing out. The bass population isn't huge, but the ones that live here are absolute units. Fish the shallow bays in the back during pre-spawn. I've seen 5-pounders cruising in 2 feet of water, looking for bedding spots.

Your kayak's stability matters here - the wind can turn this place into a washing machine in minutes. I learned that lesson the hard way when an afternoon thunderstorm nearly swamped my old rec kayak.

Best Bass Fishing in Colorado Springs - Local Favorites

Quail Lake This suburban gem sits right off Highway 115. It's stocked with everything - trout, bass, catfish, even wiper. The bass fishing peaks in early morning before the sun hits the water. I live 10 minutes away and hit it twice a week in summer.

The secret? Fish the east shore drop-off with a Carolina rig. Green pumpkin worms absolutely slay here. My biggest from Quail went 4.2 pounds, caught on a homebrew creature bait I tie myself.

Prospect Lake Yeah, it gets pressure. Yeah, there are sketchy folks sometimes. But Prospect produces bass year-round. The key is fishing it at oddball times. Midweek mornings in March? You'll have it to yourself, and the pre-spawn females are hungry.

I've pulled nice bass from the dam face using lipless crankbaits. Yo-yo them off the bottom in 10-15 feet. When they hit, it feels like you snagged a log - until that log starts fighting.

Colorado Springs Fishing Guide - Seasonal Patterns

Spring (March-May) This is prime time in the Springs area. Water temps creeping through the 50s trigger the pre-spawn feed. Target shallow, protected bays with dark bottoms - they warm fastest.

Last March at Rampart, I found a mud-bottom cove that was 8 degrees warmer than the main lake. Every bass in the reservoir seemed to be stacked in there. Caught and released over 30 fish on a white/chartreuse spinnerbait.

Summer (June-August) Summer means early mornings or nothing. I'm talking on the water at first light, done by 9 AM. The afternoon thunderstorms aren't just annoying - they're dangerous. Lost a good rain jacket to a lightning strike that hit 100 yards from my kayak. Now I get off the water when clouds build.

Deep structure is key in summer. Use your electronics to find underwater points and humps in 15-25 feet. A drop shot with a morning dawn roboworm is deadly.

Fall (September-November) Fall might be the best-kept secret for Springs bass fishing. As water temps drop through the 60s, bass gang up on shad schools. Find the bait, find the bass.

Lipless crankbaits and blade baits rule in fall. I throw them on braid with a fluorocarbon leader - helps detect those subtle bites when bass are less aggressive.

Colorado Springs Fishing Spots - The Underground Network

Here's something the tourism boards won't tell you - Colorado Springs has dozens of private ponds and HOA lakes loaded with bass. Getting access requires networking with locals. Join the Pikes Peak Bassmasters. Show up to meetings. Help with conservation projects.

I gained access to three honey holes just by volunteering at kids' fishing events. One pond behind a gated community holds bass over 8 pounds. I've seen them - monsters that would make Texas jealous.

Best Fishing in Colorado - Western Slope Treasures

Ridgway Reservoir The drive from the Front Range is brutal - 5 hours minimum. But Ridgway's worth it. This high-altitude reservoir has a growing bass population that sees almost zero pressure. The scenery alone makes the trip worthwhile.

Fish the shallow flats near the marina in spring. Smallmouths cruise these areas looking for crayfish. A tube jig dragged slowly is impossible to resist. My biggest Ridgway smallie went 4.5 pounds and jumped four times.

Crawford Reservoir Another Western Slope sleeper. Crawford has excellent largemouth fishing from May through October. The north shore has extensive weed beds that hold fish all summer. Punch through them with heavy Texas rigs.

The boat ramp gets sketchy when water levels drop. I've helped push more trucks out of the mud than I can count. Bring a 4WD if you're towing a boat.

Colorado Bass Fishing Techniques That Actually Work

Forget what works in Alabama or California. Colorado bass have their own playbook:

High Altitude Adjustments Fish here digest food slower in cold water. That means downsizing baits and slowing presentations. When I moved here from sea level, I couldn't buy a bite throwing the same stuff that slayed back home.

Now? I throw finesse gear 80% of the time. Ned rigs, drop shots, shaky heads - boring stuff that catches fish.

Weather Windows Colorado weather changes faster than a teenager's mood. I've fished in snow, sleet, hail, and 90-degree sun - all in the same day. The bass don't care about weather as much as stability. Three days of consistent conditions? That's when fishing explodes.

Local Forage Colorado bass eat different stuff than their southern cousins. Crayfish, yes. Shad in some lakes. But also lots of baby trout, perch, and bluegill. Match your lures accordingly.

I've had days where nothing worked until I tied on a rainbow trout pattern swimbait. Suddenly every cast got bit. Pay attention to what swims with the bass.

Best Trout Fishing Near Colorado Springs (And Why Bass Anglers Should Care)

Here's a weird tip - find the trout, find the bass. Many Colorado lakes stock both species. Bass love eating stocked rainbows, especially in spring when fresh stockings happen.

Watch the Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocking reports. Hit those lakes 3-5 days after a trout stocking. Throw trout-pattern swimbaits or jerkbaits near the stocking points. I've caught my biggest bass doing exactly this.

Some killer dual-species lakes near the Springs:

• Rampart Reservoir
• Eleven Mile
• Skaguay Reservoir
• Crystal Creek Reservoir

The Gear That Survives Colorado

Colorado destroys cheap gear. The UV at altitude, temperature swings, and rocky terrain will trash inferior equipment. Here's what's survived in my arsenal:

Rods and Reels Medium-heavy baitcasters for most applications. The wind here demands heavier gear to maintain casting accuracy. I run 15-pound fluorocarbon as my standard - it handles the rocks and has less stretch for better hooksets at depth.

For finesse, a 7-foot medium spinning setup with 8-pound braid to a 6-pound fluoro leader. This combo handles everything from ned rigs to small swimbaits.

Essential Lures for Colorado Bass

1. Green pumpkin tubes (smallmouth candy)
2. White/chartreuse spinnerbaits (spring killer)
3. Shad pattern jerkbaits (year-round producer)
4. Texas-rigged creature baits (punching grass)
5. Ned rigs in natural colors (when nothing else works)

Electronics Are Mandatory You can't fish deep Colorado reservoirs effectively without electronics. I learned this after too many fishless days wondering where the bass went. A basic fish finder for your kayak changes everything.

Safety Considerations for Colorado Bass Fishing

The mountains don't play around. I've seen too many flatlanders get in trouble ignoring basic safety:

Lightning Colorado leads the nation in lightning deaths. When you see clouds building, get off the water. Period. I've been caught twice - once hunkered under a bridge at Chatfield, once sprinting for the truck at Pueblo. Both times I was lucky.

Altitude Sickness If you're visiting from sea level, take it easy the first few days. Drink water constantly. The headaches and nausea from altitude sickness will ruin your trip faster than a broken rod.

Hypothermia Risk Water temps in Colorado stay cold year-round. Fall in during spring and you've got minutes before hypothermia sets in. I wear my PFD religiously and keep dry clothes in a waterproof bag.

Planning Your Colorado Bass Fishing Adventure

Best Times to Visit May through June: Pre-spawn and spawn offer the year's best action September through October: Fall feeding frenzy before winter

Where to Stay State park campgrounds offer cheap lodging near the water. I've spent countless nights at Pueblo State Park, waking up to launch at first light. Cherry Creek and Chatfield also have excellent camping.

For hotels, Colorado Springs and Denver have every chain imaginable. Stay on the side of town closest to your target lake - traffic here rivals LA during rush hour.

Local Resources

• Colorado Bass Nation (tournament info and lake reports)
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishing reports
• Local tackle shops (they know what's biting)

The Kayak Advantage in Colorado

Fishing from a kayak opens up water boats can't reach. Many Colorado lakes have shallow areas, stumps, or no-motor zones perfect for kayak fishing.

At Aurora Reservoir, kayaks can launch from shore anywhere around the lake. No waiting for the ramp, no dealing with parking. I've caught more bass from my kayak here than any other method.

Stability matters in Colorado winds. I upgraded to a wider fishing kayak after nearly flipping in a Pueblo windstorm. The extra stability lets me stand and sight-fish for bedding bass in spring.

Hidden Gems and Secret Spots

After three years exploring, I've found bass in the weirdest places:

Golf Course Ponds Many Colorado golf courses have ponds loaded with bass. Some allow fishing with permission. I know three courses near Denver that let me fish at dawn before golfers arrive. The bass here see zero pressure and eat everything.

Urban Retention Ponds Don't overlook these concrete jungle gems. I've caught 4-pounders from drainage ponds behind shopping centers. Google Earth is your friend - scout for green water near parking lots.

High Mountain Lakes Everyone assumes mountain lakes only hold trout. Wrong. Several lakes above 8,000 feet have thriving bass populations. The growing season is short, but these fish are aggressive when active.

Conservation and Ethics

Colorado's bass fishing is good because people care for it. Practice CPR - Catch, Photo, Release. These high-altitude fish grow slowly. That 5-pounder might be 15 years old.

I keep a few smaller bass for the table occasionally, but the big girls always go back. We need those genetics in the system. Plus, watching a released bass swim away strong never gets old.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of year for bass fishing in Colorado?

Late May through June offers the best action as bass move shallow for the spawn. Water temps in the 55-65 degree range trigger aggressive feeding. I've had 100-fish days during this window.

Do I need a special license for bass fishing in Colorado?

Just a regular Colorado fishing license if you're 16 or older. The annual license runs March 1 through March 31 the following year - a solid 13 months of fishing.

What's the biggest bass caught in Colorado?

The state record largemouth weighed 11 pounds, 6 ounces from Echo Canyon Reservoir. The smallmouth record is 5 pounds, 12 ounces from Navajo Reservoir. I've seen photos of both - absolute giants.

Can you eat bass from Colorado lakes?

Most lakes are fine, but check consumption advisories. Some have mercury warnings. Honestly, the smaller 12-14 inch bass taste better anyway. I keep a few each year for fish tacos.

What's the best lure for Colorado bass?

If I had one lure, it'd be a green pumpkin tube jig. Works for both species, in all seasons, at any depth. Boring? Yes. Effective? Absolutely.

Are there bass tournaments in Colorado?

Colorado Bass Nation runs events statewide. Local clubs host weekly tournaments spring through fall. Great way to learn new water and meet other bass nuts.

How does altitude affect bass fishing?

Bass metabolism slows in cold, high-altitude water. They digest food slower and feed less frequently. Downsize baits and slow presentations. Think finesse, not power fishing.

What's the best bass lake near Denver?

Cherry Creek Reservoir, hands down. Easy access, quality fish, and consistent action. Launch early to beat crowds. The marina cove holds fish year-round.

Final Thoughts - Why Colorado Bass Fishing Rocks

After three years chasing bass from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope, I'm convinced Colorado offers some of the most underrated bass fishing in the country. No, you won't catch 10-pounders regularly. But you'll catch quality fish in spectacular settings with way less pressure than traditional bass destinations.

Last week at Pueblo, I watched the sun rise over the Spanish Peaks while a 4-pounder destroyed my topwater frog. An eagle circled overhead as I released the fish. You can't put a price on moments like that.

Whether you're a Colorado native who's been sleeping on bass fishing or planning a Rocky Mountain fishing adventure, get out there and explore. The bass are waiting, and trust me - they're worth finding.

See you on the water. Tight lines!