You are hereUS / Colorado / Colorado Lakes / Lake Information for Pueblo Reservoir
Lake Information for Pueblo Reservoir
Lake Pueblo, rated a fishing “hot spot,” provides 4,500 surface acres of water, 60 miles of shoreline and almost 10,000 acres of land. Along with the sunny days and a mild climate, visitors quickly learn that one day is not enough.
Full service marinas and a diversity of campsites welcome guests to stay awhile. Water recreation includes sailing, motor-boating, waterskiing, river tubing and prime fishing. There’s a lot to explore including the swim beach with a five-story waterslide. Boaters choose from two full-service marinas and boat ramps.
Land recreation includes hiking, biking, picnicking and diverse nature exploration. Miles of trails make it easy to discover the beauty of the shady Arkansas River below the dam or the wonder of 200-year-old Juniper trees. Wet or dry activities culminate with camping options that encourage a day of play to become a mini-vacation.
The North and South Boat Ramps are useable year round, if not blocked by ice during the winter months.
Plenty of water and plenty of room equals one of the best boating lakes in the state. Peak loading and launching hours are 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. While water levels are higher than normal, the ramps are in the water and there is still plenty of room to enjoy. For more information, visit the "Water Recreation" link on the left side of Lake Pueblo's Activities page.
Lake Pueblo has two marinas: The Northshore Marina and The Southshore Marina. The Nouthshore Marina can be contacted at 719-547-3880 or www.noshoremarina.com. The Southshore Marina can be contacted at 719-564-1043 or www.thesouthshoremarina.com
Lake Pueblo is a Colorado fishing "hot spot" according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife fishing guide on the shore or by boat, anglers can reel in: trout, walleye, large and smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, wiper (a cross between white bass and stripe bass), bluegill, and yellow perch.
All Colorado Division of Wildlife fishing regulations apply and anglers must have a valid Colorado fishing license at all times. There are two special size restrictions on the Pueblo Reservoir:
1. All largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass must be at least 15".
2. Walleyes and saugeyes must be at least 18" with a bag and possession limit of five. Only one walleye or saugeye over 21" can be taken per day.
Anglers can choose the reservoir, or one of these other areas:
1. The Anticline Fishing Pond: Universally accessible and stocked regularly the pond is perfect for an easy and relaxing day of fishing. There are picnic tables, plenty of shade, restroom facilities, and playgrounds here as part of the Rock Canyon Day-Use area below the dam. Anticline Pond is an excellent spot to teach kids the joys of fishing or just plan a fun family outing of picnicking, fishing, and relaxing.
2. The Valco Ponds: east of the reservoir off of Hwy 96, offers easy access to the Arkansas River and provides anglers three ponds stocked with warm water fish. Boats are not allowed on the ponds, but belly boats and float tubes are.
With arrival of colder weather, fishing for all but periodically stocked rainbow trout slows down, and is likely to remain that way through the winter, though consecutive warm days might stir some activity. The level is the best in recent years and clarity is good. Walleye numbers remain high, but most are not legal-sized. Wipers are stable, with many in the 15- to 22-inch range. Smallmouth and spotted bass are doing very well, and largemouths have been increasing with higher water. Catfish numbers are low to moderate but many are good-sized. Inspection of boats for zebra mussel containment is ongoing.
September and October are two of the best months for fishing. Look for Wipers in the coves and Smallmouth bass action is good around rocky outcrops. Pools along the Arkansas River hold some very nice trout. Try white or silver lures, on top and at medium depths, for wiper. If you are not fly fishing for the trout, try half a worm or less with light weigths. Let it bounce along the bottom. Anticline Lake, below Pueblo Dam, is heavily stocked with trout in the spring and offer good fishing into early summer. It will also get some late fall stocking.
From the North
Take I-25 to Pueblo. Turn west on U.S. Hwy 50 (Exit 101). Drive 4 miles to Pueblo Blvd. Turn south and go 4 miles to Thatcher Blvd (Hwy 96). Turn west and go 4 miles to the south park entrances. OR Take I-25 to Pueblo. Turn west on U.S. Hwy 50(Exit 101). Drive 7 miles to McCulloch Blvd. Turn south and go 4 miles to Nichols Road. Turn south and go 1 mile to the north park entrance.
From the South
Take I-25 to Pueblo. Turn west on Pueblo Blvd (Exit 94). Drive 5 miles to Thatcher Blvd (the road will turn south after two miles). Turn west and go 4 miles to the park.
Businesses Located Nearby
Bait & Tackle
- Angler's Addiction
- 1401 N Main St - Pueblo, CO
- (719) 296-5886
- Johnson's Sport & Ski
- 315 Court St - Pueblo, CO
- (719) 542-6012
- Outlaw Bait & Tackle
- 1342 N Academy Blvd - Colorado Springs, CO
- (719) 227-7992
Boat Rental
- Rocky Mountain Boat Company
- 290 S Mcculloch Blvd - Pueblo West, CO
- (719) 547-3100
- South Shore Marina
- 600 Pueblo Reservoir Rd - Pueblo, CO
- (719) 564-1043
- Discount Cycle Works
- 1405 W 4th St - Pueblo, CO
- (719) 544-4390
Vacation Rental
- Parks & Recreation Department
- 640 Pueblo Reservoir Rd - Pueblo, CO
- (719) 561-9320
- Garden of the Gods Rentals
- 1000 Fontmore Rd - Colorado Springs, CO
- (719) 634-3400
- Colorado Cabin Rental
- 451 Thunder Trl. - Canon City, CO
- (727) 638-4093
Bar and Restaurant
- Daily Grind Cafe
- 209 S Union Ave - Pueblo, CO
- (719) 561-8567
- Grady's Restaurant Supply
- 430 W 4th St - Pueblo, CO
- (719) 542-8853
- First & Main Bar & Grill
- 117 N Main St - Pueblo, CO
- (719) 542-2483
