As the leaves begin to golden in the high country and the air cools, one thing becomes clear for anglers around Fort Collins, fall fishing is here. Arguably the best time of the year to be on the water, Fall is a particular favorite for all of us at St. Peter's Fly Shop. Cooler water temperatures bring fish into active feeding modes, making this season prime time to chase both numbers and hunt for some of the biggest fish of the year. Picking the right spot can be tricky as conditions shift from summer to fall, but we’ve put together a guide to our favorite fisheries in and around Fort Collins. Each location offers its own unique opportunities and challenges, so whether you book a guided trip with us at St.Peter’s or grab your own gear and head out to explore, be sure to make the most of this incredible season.
Fall Fishing Locations, tips and tricks
1. Cache La Poudre River
The Cache la Poudre, or simply “the Poudre,” is Colorado’s only designated Wild and Scenic River. Flowing right through Fort Collins, it offers easy access for anglers of all skill levels. Luckily for us, Highway 14 right out of town leads you up and into the Poudre Canyon and endless areas to explore.
In the fall, trout become especially active as the water cools and hatches become scarcer. Fish will readily take advantage of feeding opportunities as fall progresses and winter nears. When scouting out spots, begin to look for slower riffle water and deeper pools that will provide better habitat for wintering in the near months. These locations will be great holding locations for the browns and rainbows that will be feeding heavily in preparation for winter. Smaller nymphs and streamers can be particularly effective this time of year.
Be mindful of fish on spawning areas as the days shorten and avoid fishing in these areas so the next generation of fish have the best possibility for survival. Please keep this in mind for all the areas mentioned or anywhere you may wet a line this fall.
2. Big Thompson River
Just a short drive south of Fort Collins, the Big Thompson River winds its way from Estes Park through the canyon toward Loveland. The "Big T" is known for its healthy population of wild brown and rainbow trout, with fall bringing excellent fishing and blue wing olive hatches up and down the Big T. With browns becoming more active in prep for spawning, throwing big streamers
behind large rocks, through deeper runs and along cut banks can be a very productive tactic.
If you prefer dry fly action, keep an eye out for midges and blue-winged olives, as these hatches will remain fairly consistent thanks in part to the Estes Park Tailwater. Not only is this an excellent place to do some fishing, but a fantastic area for wildlife viewing and leaf peeping as well. A perfect adventure day for the entire family to join in on.
3. Moraine Park
Located inside Rocky Mountain National Park, Moraine Park offers a unique fall fishing experience surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. The meadows of Moraine Park are crossed by the Big Thompson River, where anglers can find brown, rainbow, and brook trout. In the fall, the elk rut is in full swing, so expect the soundtrack of bugling elk as you fish! Small dry flies and nymphs are effective in these clear, shallow waters, making this an excellent spot for a peaceful day of fishing.
4. North Park Lakes
A little farther afield, North Park is a high mountain basin near Walden, Colorado, known as one of the state’s most productive fishing areas. Lakes such as Delaney Buttes, Lake John, and Cowdrey Lake are famous for producing trophy trout. In the fall, these waters come alive as big browns and rainbows prepare for the colder months. The scenery alone, snow-dusted peaks surrounding the expansive sage brush valley makes the trip worthwhile, but the chance of landing a true giant is what keeps anglers coming back.
5. Laramie Plains Lakes
For anglers looking to chase trophy trout, the Laramie Plains Lakes in Wyoming are well worth the drive. Just over an hour from Fort Collins, this series of high plains reservoirs, like Lake Hattie, Twin Buttes, and Gelatt, are home to hefty rainbows, browns, and cutthroats. Fall is an ideal season here, as the cooler weather encourages large fish to cruise the shallows in search of food. Stripping leech patterns, woolly buggers, or balanced leeches can be extremely productive during this fall feeding window.
6. Horsetooth Reservoir
Often overlooked as a fall fishery, Horsetooth has an outstanding population of rainbow trout and cutbows, along with smallmouth bass and walleye. A true gem come fall, fish move shallower feeding on baitfish and crayfish before winter truly sets in. Running indicator rigs with varying baitfish and leech patterns will find the most success as temperatures drop significantly later in the fall. For now, stripping leeches and baitfish patterns tends to get more attention and grabs than dead drifting. Be sure to check out this treasure of a fishery in our own back yard.
Final Drifts
While these are not the only options to escape to the water around town, they are some of our favorite, top producing spots to enjoy. If you are willing to make a few hours’ drive, we have multiple large tailwater options as well including the Grey Reef, Miracle Mile, Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon as well.
Luckily for us, Fort Collins is surrounded by an incredible variety of fall fishing opportunities, from local rivers to high mountain lakes and expansive tailwaters within a short drive. Whether you’re after the steady action of the Poudre, the trophy potential of North Park, or the unique beauty of Moraine Park, autumn offers the perfect blend of cool weather, active fish, and breathtaking scenery. With the right flies (Check out our guide to our shop favorite fall streamer patterns) and a little patience, fall fishing just might be the highlight of your season.
No matter what brings you to town, be it a new student, a longtime local, or just passing through, St. Peter’s Fly Shop is here to help you make the most of your time in Fort Collins. Whether you want to book a guided trip with one of our experienced staff to get dialed in quickly or grab your own gear and head out to explore the waters on your own, we’re here to help you make the most of your fall season on the water.
