Private Horsetooth Reservoir Fishing with JoeFish
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
8hour guided fishing experience on scenic Horsetooth ReservoirTarget smallmouth bass and walleye with provided equipmentProfessional guide service accommodates up to two anglers
Picture yourself casting into Colorado's premier fishing destination, where crystal-clear waters meet the foothills just minutes from Fort Collins. Joe's private guided trips on Horsetooth Reservoir deliver exactly what serious anglers are looking for – consistent action, top-notch guidance, and the kind of personalized attention you won't get on crowded charter boats. Whether you're after scrappy smallmouth bass or trophy walleye, this reservoir has earned its reputation as one of the Front Range's most productive fisheries. With trips running anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, you'll have plenty of time to work different structures and adapt to changing conditions throughout the day.
Joe keeps his trips small – just 1 to 2 anglers max – which means you're getting a true custom fishing experience tailored to your skill level and target species. The reservoir spans over 1,900 acres with deep channels, rocky points, and submerged structure that holds fish year-round. You'll launch early to beat the weekend crowd and position yourself over the most productive spots before the water gets busy. Joe provides all the essential tackle and rods, though plenty of regulars bring their favorite setups to complement what's already on board. The boat is equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water instead of searching blindly. Don't forget your Colorado fishing license before you arrive – it's required for anyone 16 and older, and the park entry fee is separate from your trip cost.
Horsetooth's diverse structure calls for versatile approaches throughout the day. Joe typically starts with vertical jigging over deeper drop-offs and transitions, using everything from hair jigs to blade baits depending on what the fish are telling you. When the bite slows in deeper water, you'll work the rocky shorelines with crankbaits and soft plastics, targeting the feeding zones where smallmouth bass ambush baitfish. The reservoir's clear water means finesse techniques often outshine power fishing – think drop-shot rigs with subtle presentations rather than heavy spinnerbaits. Joe's tackle selection includes proven local favorites like chartreuse jigs for walleye and natural-colored tubes for smallmouth, but he's always ready to switch things up based on water temperature and seasonal patterns. The boat's trolling motor allows for precise positioning over structure, which is crucial when you're working specific depth contours or following schools on the electronics.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Horsetooth Reservoir, with fish averaging 14-18 inches and plenty of 20+ inch specimens swimming these waters. These golden-flanked fighters are most active during low-light periods, making early morning and late afternoon prime time for targeting them. They school up over points and drop-offs, often relating to specific depth ranges that change with water temperature and season. What makes walleye so appealing isn't just their size – they're excellent table fare and provide that steady, head-shaking fight that keeps you guessing until they're in the net. Spring and fall offer the best walleye action, when they move shallow to feed and become more aggressive toward presentations.
Smallmouth bass bring a completely different energy to your day on Horsetooth. These bronze-backed bulldogs are pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighting freshwater fish you'll encounter, known for their acrobatic jumps and determined runs. The reservoir's rocky structure provides perfect smallmouth habitat, and fish in the 12-16 inch range are common, with some real giants pushing 18+ inches. Unlike their largemouth cousins, smallmouth prefer cooler, clearer water and will often suspend over deep structure before moving shallow to feed. Summer months see them relating to rocky points and boulder fields, while spring finds them in the shallows for the spawn. What gets anglers hooked on smallmouth fishing is their aggressive nature – when you find a school, you can often catch multiple fish from the same spot if you work it correctly.
Horsetooth Reservoir delivers the kind of consistent fishing that keeps local anglers coming back season after season, and Joe's intimate knowledge of these waters puts you on fish when others are still figuring out the pattern. The reservoir fishes well throughout the open water season, but booking early gives you the best shot at prime dates when conditions align perfectly. Whether you're looking to introduce someone new to fishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to learn new water, this trip offers the personal attention and local expertise that makes the difference between a good day and a great day. The combination of Joe's guiding experience, quality gear, and Horsetooth's diverse fishery creates the perfect recipe for memorable fishing. Reserve your 4 to 8-hour adventure today and discover why this Front Range gem has earned its reputation as a world-class fishing destination.
Our 2022 17' Tracker bass boat is your ticket to serious fishing action on Horsetooth Reservoir. This compact powerhouse runs on a reliable 75HP Mercury engine, getting you to the best fishing spots quickly while staying nimble in shallow areas where bass love to hide. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're working prime structures, and the fish finder helps you locate schools and track bottom contours. The built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long Colorado summer days on the water. With room for up to 3 people, there's plenty of space for you and a buddy to cast without tangling lines. The boat's shallow draft design is perfect for exploring Horsetooth's rocky points and submerged timber where smallmouth bass and walleye hang out. Whether you're working jigs along the dam face or trolling the main lake for walleye, this setup handles it all with ease.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are the scrappy fighters of Horsetooth, typically running 12-16 inches with bronze-green bodies and red eyes. These bass love the reservoir's rocky shorelines, boulder fields, and drop-offs where they ambush crayfish and small fish. Spring and fall are prime time when they're active in shallow water, but summer fishing can be hot if you target deeper structure during low-light periods. What guests love most? Pound for pound, smallmouth are the strongest fighters we have - they'll jump, dive, and give you a workout on light tackle. The clear water makes sight fishing a blast too. Here's my local secret: throw a tube jig in natural crayfish colors around those submerged rock piles near the dam. Let it sink to the bottom, then hop it slowly - smallmouth can't resist that crayfish imitation bouncing through their territory.
Sander VitreusWalleye are one of Horsetooth's prized catches, running 15-20 inches on average with that distinctive silver eyeshine that helps them hunt in low light. These golden-olive fish love the reservoir's rocky structure and drop-offs, staying deep during the day and moving shallow at dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers solid action, but those evening bites are pure magic when they cruise the rocky points feeding. What makes walleye special? They fight smart rather than hard, and they're hands-down the best eating fish in Colorado waters - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect in the pan. My go-to tip: work a jig and minnow combo slowly along those underwater rock piles at 15-25 feet. When you feel that subtle tick, set the hook quick - walleye have soft mouths but they'll spit your bait fast if they feel resistance.
Denver