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Common Carp
Photo: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Green Sunfish
Photo: Duane Raver, Public domain 
Rainbow Trout
Photo: Purefury182, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Brook Trout
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Colorado lakes and reservoirs
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Boulder City Reservoir Fishing
A 531-acre Colorado reservoir in Boulder County at 5,176 feet.
Pick for black crappiePiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Gross Reservoir: SOTMUS, CC BY-SA 4.0
Boulder County
Boulder City Reservoir at a glance
Boulder City Reservoir holds around 531 surface acres within Boulder County. CPW gives an elevation of roughly 5,176 feet. Access runs through Boulder Reservoir. For gas and groceries, Gunbarrel sits roughly 3 miles off. It falls inside the Northeast Region on CPW maps.
Anglers come here for black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, green sunfish and rainbow trout, by the CPW list. Trailers back in at 1 boat ramp. Boating allowed: Motor boats (gasoline). Reaching it is easy; crowds are low, CPW says. CPW winter status: ice fishing listed as yes.
531acres
5,176feet elevation
1boat ramps
9species listed
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
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The fishery at Boulder City Reservoir
Every chip for Boulder City Reservoir comes from a CPW list, a state record or the trout stocking report.
Black crappie Bluegill Channel catfish Common carp Green sunfish Rainbow trout Smallmouth bass Walleye Yellow perch
CPW Boatable Waters species field, CPW state records and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Access
Putting in at Boulder City Reservoir
- Boulder City Reservoir boat rampboat ramp, ANS inspection
Walk-up spots at Boulder City Reservoir
- Boulder City Reservoir fishing access near Valmontaccessible fishing area
- Boulder City Reservoir fishing access near Gunbarrelaccessible pier, easy access, stocked: sub-catchables and warmwater, 5,176 ft
Other CPW ramps around Boulder City Reservoir
- Saint Vrain State Park on St. Vrain State Park Blue HeronSt. Vrain State Park Blue Heron, 14 miles northeast
- Standley Lake boat rampStandley Lake, 15 miles south
- Arvada Reservoir boat rampArvada Reservoir, 18 miles south
- Lonetree Reservoir boat ramp near LovelandLonetree Reservoir, 18 miles north
- Marina on Carter ReservoirCarter Reservoir, 19 miles north
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits
Bag limits at Boulder City Reservoir
| Species | Bag and possession | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee) | Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Brook trout 8 inches or less (bonus) | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Kokanee salmon | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Walleye, saugeye and sauger | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White bass, striped bass and wiper | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Channel, flathead and blue catfish | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White and black crappie | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Bluegill and other sunfish | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Yellow perch | Daily bag 20, possession 20 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Tiger muskie | Daily bag 1, possession 1; at least 36 inches long | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Northern pike and bullhead | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
CPW splits some limits by drainage, and Boulder City Reservoir falls east of the Continental Divide. Colorado has no closed season by species, so the chart applies all year at Boulder City Reservoir unless a special rule says otherwise.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Compare
Measuring Boulder City Reservoir against close lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder City Reservoir | 531 | 5,176 | 1 | ||
| Coot Lake | under a mile northeast | 27 | 5,174 | 0 | yes |
| Walden Pond Southwest | 3 miles southeast | 12 | 5,129 | 0 | |
| Walden Pond Northwest | 3 miles southeast | 8 | 5,128 | 0 | |
| Sawhill Pond #13 | 3 miles southeast | 3 | 5,136 | 0 | |
| Sawhill Pond #12 | 3 miles southeast | 5 | 5,138 | 0 |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Nearby
What sits near Boulder City Reservoir
Lakes to pair with Boulder City Reservoir
- Coot Lakeunder a mile northeast
- Walden Pond Southwest3 miles southeast
- Walden Pond Northwest3 miles southeast
- Sawhill Pond #133 miles southeast
- Sawhill Pond #123 miles southeast
Bait and flies near Boulder City Reservoir
- Rise Form Fliesbait and tackle shop, Boulder, 1 mile
- Fly shopfly shop, Boulder, 5 miles
- Front Range Anglersfly shop, Boulder, 5 miles
- Angler's Productsfly shop, Boulder, 5 miles
- Rocky Mountain Anglersfly shop, Boulder, 5 miles
- Stoney River Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Boulder, 6 miles
Registered outfitters around Boulder City Reservoir
- Arbor Anglersfishing guide, Lafayette, (303) 562-7202
- Front Range Anglersfishing guide, Boulder, (303) 494-1375
- Flatirons Fly Shop, Inc.fly fishing guide, Boulder
- Laughing Grizzly Fly Shop, Inc.fly fishing guide, Longmont
Mountain and plains towns near Boulder City Reservoir
- Gunbarrel3 miles
- Niwot4 miles
- Boulder4 miles
Counties holding part of Boulder City Reservoir
- Boulder Countyseat: Boulder
Piscifun
What Piscifun makes for Boulder City Reservoir anglers
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Know your fish
Species photos for anglers bound for Boulder City Reservoir
Photo: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Duane Raver, Public domain
Photo: Purefury182, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Answers
Planning notes for Boulder City Reservoir in Q and A form
Which Colorado town makes the handiest base for Boulder City Reservoir?
It lies in Boulder County, CPW Northeast Region, about 3 miles from Gunbarrel.
How much surface does Boulder City Reservoir spread across when full?
The outline measures about 531 acres, at about 5,176 feet.
How many CPW ramps reach the water at Boulder City Reservoir?
1 boat ramp on the CPW layer, Boulder City Reservoir boat ramp included.
Which species does CPW list for Boulder City Reservoir?
The CPW roster names black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, green sunfish, rainbow trout and smallmouth bass.
How many trout can I keep at Boulder City Reservoir?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate.
How much is a one-day license for Boulder City Reservoir?
Fishing two lines at once takes the $14.24 second-rod stamp on top of the license; adult residents pay $44.87 for the license and nonresidents $124.01.
How often does CPW stock Boulder City Reservoir?
It is not on the 2024 to 2026 catchable trout report.
Where do anglers at Boulder City Reservoir get supplies?
Rise Form Flies, 1 mile out.
What does CPW say about ice at Boulder City Reservoir?
ice fishing listed as yes, per CPW; conditions change daily.
Plan a Colorado day at Boulder City Reservoir
Fees, stamps and special rules sit on the license page.