How to Fish Horsetooth Reservoir: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Horsetooth Reservoir

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 30, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Horsetooth Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	45-55	Staging on secondary points and lead-in banks near protected spawning areas, showing aggressive feeding behavior in shallow water Following baitfish movements along rip rap and bluff walls, actively feeding during the pre-spawn period	Secondary points and pockets with flat areas in 4-10 foot depth range Rip rap banks and bluff walls adjacent to spawning areas Rocky main lake points with access to deeper water	Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in shallow water Damiki Rig for suspended fish near structure Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) along 45-degree banks	Shad schools moving shallow along transition areas Perch relating to rocky structure Minnows along riprap banks	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	45-58	Pre-spawn staging, moving from winter depths to transitional areas near spawning flats Actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Following daily temperature changes, moving shallower in afternoons	Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats in 5-15 foot depth Channel swings near coves and potential spawning areas Deep water access points near emerging vegetation	Lipless Crankbaits worked through transitional areas Bladed Jigs around emerging vegetation Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points and channel edges	Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas Blueback herring moving shallow with warming trends Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows	Natural Shad Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Trout	45-58	Trout becoming more active and moving into shallower water as temperatures warm, following baitfish schools and staging near spawning areas Fish actively feeding throughout the water column, making frequent vertical movements from 15-20' to surface to chase prey Utilizing structure like brush piles and rock piles as staging areas between feeding periods	Protected coves with access to deeper water, particularly those with submerged brush or rock piles Points and ledges adjacent to spawning areas in 15-25 foot depth range Shallow flats near deep-water access where baitfish schools are congregating	Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses to mimic struggling baitfish Inline Spinners retrieved at varying speeds to trigger reaction strikes Trolling Shallow (0-9') along depth transitions and structure edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked through baitfish schools	Shad moving into shallower water as temperatures warm Blueback Herring schooling near surface and structure Perch relating to brush piles and rocky areas	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	55-65	Staging on secondary points and transitioning to shallow spawning pockets in 4-10ft, actively defending nesting sites Males aggressively patrolling spawning areas while females move between deeper staging areas and spawning flats	Protected secondary points and pockets in 4-10ft with mixed rock and gravel bottom Shallow coves with hard bottom composition near deeper water access Rocky flats adjacent to deeper staging areas	Tubes worked slowly along bottom in spawning areas Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements around bedding areas Drop Shot with finesse presentations for staging fish	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small perch in spawning areas Juvenile blueback herring in transitional areas	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas and staging on pre-spawn transition routes, particularly around points and coves Males preparing and guarding nesting sites in protected areas while females stage nearby in slightly deeper water Increased feeding activity during pre-spawn, followed by territorial behavior during actual spawning	Protected shallow coves with firm bottom composition, especially those with emerging vegetation Secondary points leading into spawning bays Transition areas between 5-7 feet deep adjacent to deeper water	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas Shakey Heads worked slowly along transition areas Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along points and spawning flats	Shad concentrating in spawning areas Blueback herring around points and shallow flats Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows	Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Trout	45-55	Active spawning behavior in shallow water, with trout moving into coves and protected areas with suitable substrate Pre and post-spawn fish staging in adjacent deeper water, making frequent moves between deep and shallow zones Aggressive feeding periods during early morning and late evening, particularly in areas where springs or creek mouths maintain cooler water	Protected coves with gravel or rocky substrate in 2-8 foot depths Creek mouths and spring-fed areas providing cooler water Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water	Inline Spinners worked slowly through spawning areas and transition zones Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved with a steady pace Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses near staging areas	Shad concentrations in creek mouths and coves Blueback herring in transition areas Young perch moving into shallow water	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	62-72	Recovering post-spawn fish transitioning to summer patterns, actively feeding to regain energy Fish moving between shallow recovery areas and nearby deep structure, establishing summer feeding patterns Most active during morning and evening hours, relating to baitfish movements	Secondary points with quick access to deeper water Rock piles and boulder fields in 12-20ft range Standing timber edges near deep water access	Drop Shot with finesse presentations around deeper structure Tubes worked along rock transitions Ned Rigs worked slowly on secondary points	Crawfish emerging in rocky areas Small perch in transitional areas Shad schools starting to group up	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are utilizing points and ledges near spawning flats as transition routes, moving between shallow and deeper water depending on time of day	Secondary points with access to deep water, especially near spawning bays Submerged vegetation in 5-7 feet of water adjacent to deeper zones Main lake points, particularly the northwest point near the dam	Swim Jigs worked along vegetation edges and through scattered grass Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked parallel to points Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged through deeper vegetation Spinnerbaits worked along point transitions	Shad concentrating around points and vegetation edges Blueback herring schooling in open water near points Various sunfish species in shallow vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Trout	50-62	Trout are actively feeding post-spawn, moving between depths of 15-20 feet and the surface to chase baitfish Fish are utilizing the complex shoreline structure, particularly coves and points, making feeding runs during prime light conditions	Coves with access to deeper water, especially those with submerged brush or rock piles Main lake points with ledges dropping into deeper water Areas with standing timber adjacent to deeper water	Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly with long pauses near structure Inline Spinners retrieved at varying speeds through the upper water column Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along depth transitions	Shad schools moving into warmer, shallower water Blueback herring following baitfish schools Young perch around structure and cover	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	61-72	Fish are transitioning from spawning to summer patterns, actively feeding throughout the water column with early morning topwater activity and deeper holding patterns during midday Following baitfish schools and relating heavily to deep structure (20-50ft) during peak daytime hours, particularly around rock piles and points	Main lake points with rock piles in 20-30 foot depth range Standing timber areas, especially where adjacent to deeper water Deep ledges and rock transitions in 15-25 foot range	Drop Shot with light fluorocarbon leader, working baits slowly near bottom structure Hard Topwater (Prop) during early morning hours, especially with rip-and-pause retrieve Ned Rigs worked around rocky structure and transitions	Shad - primary forage based on multiple reports Crawfish - especially around rocky structure Blueback Herring - particularly active during morning hours	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	68-75	Bass are actively feeding with reports showing success on both topwater and deeper presentations, suggesting a pattern of moving between shallow ambush points and deeper ledges Fish are relating to structure transitions, particularly prominent points and submerged vegetation, displaying typical summer feeding behavior	Northwest point near the dam, specifically mentioned in recent reports as producing multiple fish Submerged vegetation areas, particularly where it intersects with depth changes Main lake points with access to deeper water	Drop Shot - recent reports confirm success with this technique, particularly effective around the dam point Hard Topwater (Walking) - reports indicate topwater success in summer months Spinnerbaits - mentioned in reports around submerged vegetation	Goby - specifically mentioned in recent successful fishing reports Crappie - noted as forage in summer fishing reports Blueback Herring - indicated in lake profile as primary forage	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Trout	58-68	Trout seeking thermal refuge in deeper water (30-40ft) during warm summer days, following baitfish schools Early morning and evening feeding activity in shallower water, retreating to deeper water during midday heat Vertical movement patterns, coming up to feed on baitfish from 15-20ft to surface during low light periods	Deep ledges and drop-offs adjacent to points with access to 30-40ft depths Submerged brush and timber in 15-25ft of water Rocky points and coves with quick access to deep water	Trolling Deep (20'+) along ledges and depth transitions where baitfish schools concentrate Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) when trout are holding in deeper water during midday Spoons worked vertically through baitfish schools Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) during low light periods when trout are more active	Shad schools concentrated in 30-40ft depths Blueback Herring following similar patterns as shad Yellow Perch relating to structure in slightly shallower water	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Horsetooth Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	50-57	Smallmouth bass are actively feeding on main lake points and rocky structure, following baitfish schools in 15-50 foot depths Fish are showing a preference for slower presentations as water temperatures drop, particularly responding to bottom-contact baits	Main lake points with steep drops and rocky structure Deep rock piles in 20-50 foot depths Secondary points with access to deep water	Drop Shot with slow, methodical presentations Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along depth transitions	Shad schools congregating on main lake structure Crawfish in rocky areas Blueback Herring relating to deeper structure	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Bass are actively feeding on shad and herring, following baitfish schools to fatten up for winter Fish are transitioning from summer deep water patterns to shallower feeding zones, particularly during low-light periods	Main lake points near deep water access, especially the northwest point near dam Submerged vegetation edges in 5-15 foot depth range Secondary points in major creek arms where baitfish schools congregate	Lipless Crankbaits burned through sparse vegetation and along points Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked at varying depths to match baitfish schools Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along point transitions	Shad schools moving into creek arms and along points Blueback Herring suspending near structure	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Trout	50-55	Trout actively feeding in coves and making vertical movements, following baitfish schools and responding to cooling fall temperatures Fish showing increased activity in shallower zones, with reports of them chasing lures from 15-20' to surface	Coves with access to deeper water, particularly those with ledges and submerged structure Rock piles and brush in 15-20 foot depth range Points and transitions near deep water access	Drop Shot - proven effective in recent reports, allowing for precise depth control Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') - effective for actively feeding fish in the water column Hard Jerkbaits - excellent for targeting trout chasing baitfish near surface	Shad - primary forage based on successful white-colored bait patterns Blueback Herring - secondary forage mentioned in lake profile Perch - tertiary forage option noted in lake profile	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	42-52	Smallmouth bass are suspending near deep structure in the 20-35ft range, moving up to feed during stable weather periods Fish are schooling more heavily than other seasons, often relating to large bait balls of shad and herring Feeding windows are shorter but more intense, typically during warmer parts of the day	Deep main lake points with access to 30-50ft depths, especially those with boulder fields Standing timber areas in 20-30ft that intersect with deeper structure Deep rock piles adjacent to primary creek channels	Blade Baits worked vertically with slow lifts and drops Drop Shot with subtle movements near bottom structure Damiki Rig when fish are suspended and clearly visible on electronics Spybaits worked slowly through suspended fish	Blueback Herring schooling in open water Shad concentrated in deeper water Yellow Perch relating to deep structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Largemouth Bass	45-52	Concentrating in deeper water near structural breaks and points, typically 20-30 feet deep, maintaining close proximity to primary forage Moving with baitfish schools, suspending at similar depths, with most active feeding during warmer parts of the day	Deep main lake points near dam, especially the northwest point, where deeper water provides winter sanctuary Steep ledges transitioning from 20-30 feet that provide access to both deep water and feeding zones Deep creek channel bends with nearby submerged structure that concentrate both baitfish and bass	Blade Baits worked vertically along depth transitions to trigger reaction strikes Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) slowly retrieved parallel to deep structure Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with methodical presentations in known fish-holding areas	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water Blueback herring suspending near structural elements Deep water baitfish pods	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Trout	42-52	Trout are likely holding in deep water areas (30-40ft) near structure, making occasional movements to shallower zones to feed on concentrated baitfish Fish are more active during warmer parts of the day, particularly in areas where baitfish schools are present Vertical feeding patterns are common, with trout willing to chase prey up through the water column	Deep water ledges adjacent to points, especially those with access to 30-40ft depths Submerged brush piles and rock piles in 15-25ft of water Protected coves with deep water access where baitfish schools concentrate	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Spoons Trolling Deep (20'+) Blade Baits	Shad Blueback Herring Perch	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Horsetooth Reservoir

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Secondary points and pockets with flat areas in 4-10 foot depth range	Rip rap banks and bluff walls adjacent to spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats in 5-15 foot depth	Channel swings near coves and potential spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Trout	Protected coves with access to deeper water, particularly those with submerged brush or rock piles	Points and ledges adjacent to spawning areas in 15-25 foot depth range
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Protected secondary points and pockets in 4-10ft with mixed rock and gravel bottom	Shallow coves with hard bottom composition near deeper water access
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with firm bottom composition, especially those with emerging vegetation	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Trout	Protected coves with gravel or rocky substrate in 2-8 foot depths	Creek mouths and spring-fed areas providing cooler water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Secondary points with quick access to deeper water	Rock piles and boulder fields in 12-20ft range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points with access to deep water, especially near spawning bays	Submerged vegetation in 5-7 feet of water adjacent to deeper zones
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Trout	Coves with access to deeper water, especially those with submerged brush or rock piles	Main lake points with ledges dropping into deeper water
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points with rock piles in 20-30 foot depth range	Standing timber areas, especially where adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Northwest point near the dam, specifically mentioned in recent reports as producing multiple fish	Submerged vegetation areas, particularly where it intersects with depth changes
Summer	Trout	Deep ledges and drop-offs adjacent to points with access to 30-40ft depths	Submerged brush and timber in 15-25ft of water
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points with steep drops and rocky structure	Deep rock piles in 20-50 foot depths
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points near deep water access, especially the northwest point near dam	Submerged vegetation edges in 5-15 foot depth range
Fall	Trout	Coves with access to deeper water, particularly those with ledges and submerged structure	Rock piles and brush in 15-20 foot depth range
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Deep main lake points with access to 30-50ft depths, especially those with boulder fields	Standing timber areas in 20-30ft that intersect with deeper structure
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep main lake points near dam, especially the northwest point, where deeper water provides winter sanctuary	Steep ledges transitioning from 20-30 feet that provide access to both deep water and feeding zones
Winter	Trout	Deep water ledges adjacent to points, especially those with access to 30-40ft depths	Submerged brush piles and rock piles in 15-25ft of water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools moving shallow along transition areas	Perch relating to rocky structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas	Blueback herring moving shallow with warming trends
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Trout	Shad moving into shallower water as temperatures warm	Blueback Herring schooling near surface and structure
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small perch in spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad concentrating in spawning areas	Blueback herring around points and shallow flats
Spring (Spawn)	Trout	Shad concentrations in creek mouths and coves	Blueback herring in transition areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging in rocky areas	Small perch in transitional areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad concentrating around points and vegetation edges	Blueback herring schooling in open water near points
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Trout	Shad schools moving into warmer, shallower water	Blueback herring following baitfish schools
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Shad - primary forage based on multiple reports	Crawfish - especially around rocky structure
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Goby - specifically mentioned in recent successful fishing reports	Crappie - noted as forage in summer fishing reports
Summer	Trout	Shad schools concentrated in 30-40ft depths	Blueback Herring following similar patterns as shad
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools congregating on main lake structure	Crawfish in rocky areas
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools moving into creek arms and along points	Blueback Herring suspending near structure
Fall	Trout	Shad - primary forage based on successful white-colored bait patterns	Blueback Herring - secondary forage mentioned in lake profile
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Blueback Herring schooling in open water	Shad concentrated in deeper water
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water	Blueback herring suspending near structural elements
Winter	Trout	Shad	Blueback Herring

Bait Colors by Season for Horsetooth Reservoir

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Trout	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Trout	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Trout	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Trout	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Trout	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Trout	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

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