Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County Fishing
A 2,174-acre Colorado reservoir in Otero County and Bent County.
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of John Martin Reservoir: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0
Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County at a glance
Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County holds around 2,174 surface acres within Otero County and Bent County. For gas and groceries, Cheraw sits roughly 8 miles off. It falls inside the Southeast Region on CPW maps.
Trailers back in at 2 boat ramps.
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Putting in at Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
- Horse Creek Reservoir SWA near Cherawboat ramp, high-water ramp, CDOW
- Horse Creek Reservoir SWA near Cherawboat ramp, low-water ramp, CDOW
Other CPW ramps around Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
- West Ramp #1 on Adobe Creek Reservoir (Low Water)Adobe Creek Reservoir (Low Water), 11 miles northeast
- West Ramp #2 on Adobe Creek Reservoir (Low Water)Adobe Creek Reservoir (Low Water), 11 miles northeast
- East Ramp #1 on Adobe Creek Reservoir (Low Water)Adobe Creek Reservoir (Low Water), 11 miles northeast
- East Ramp #2 on Adobe Creek Reservoir (Low Water)Adobe Creek Reservoir (Low Water), 11 miles northeast
- Holbrook Reservoir SWA near SwinkHolbrook Lake, 14 miles southwest
- CR Road 19 Ramp on John Martin ReservoirJohn Martin Reservoir, 20 miles east
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Bag limits at Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
| 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 10, possession 10, 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 20, possession 20, 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 Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County falls in the Arkansas and South Fork Republican drainages. Colorado has no closed season by species, so the chart applies all year at Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County unless a special rule says otherwise.
The special regulation entry for Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| Horse Creek Reservoir (Timber Lake) | Trot-lines and jugs permitted. | p. 25 |
Special regulations as printed in the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pp. 11 to 39, checked against CPW Chapter W-1 (as approved 13 November 2025); retrieved October 2026.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026.
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Measuring Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County against close lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County | 2,174 | 2 | |||
| Dawn Pond | 8 miles southeast | 20 | 3,950 | 0 | |
| Adobe Creek Reservoir (Low Water) | 10 miles northeast | 4,782 | 4 | ||
| Holbrook Lake | 14 miles southwest | 550 | 2 | ||
| Big Mac Pond | 16 miles southwest | 6 | 4,136 | 0 | |
| Meredith Reservoir | 17 miles west | 5,114 | 4,256 | 0 | yes |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
What sits near Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
Lakes to pair with Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
- Dawn Pond8 miles southeast
- Adobe Creek Reservoir (Low Water)10 miles northeast
- Holbrook Lake14 miles southwest
- Big Mac Pond16 miles southwest
- Meredith Reservoir17 miles west
Bait and flies near Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
- The Tackle Boxbait and tackle shop, Hasty, 25 miles
Mountain and plains towns near Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
- Las Animas12 miles
- La Junta16 miles
- Ordway19 miles
Counties holding part of Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
- Otero Countyseat: La Junta
- Bent Countyseat: Las Animas
What Piscifun makes for Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County anglers
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Species photos for anglers bound for Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, USA, CC BY 2.0
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Planning notes for Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County in Q and A form
Which Colorado town makes the handiest base for Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County?
It lies in Otero County and Bent County, CPW Southeast Region, about 8 miles from Cheraw.
How much surface does Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County spread across when full?
The outline measures about 2,174 acres.
How many CPW ramps reach the water at Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County?
2 boat ramps on the CPW layer, Horse Creek Reservoir SWA near Cheraw included.
Which species does CPW list for Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County?
Its fish are not listed by CPW.
How many trout can I keep at Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate. Special rules for it sit in the table above.
How much is a one-day license for Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County?
Everyone 16 and older needs a CPW fishing license: $44.87 a year for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents, or $18.07 for a resident one-day license.
How often does CPW stock Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County?
It is not on the 2024 to 2026 catchable trout report.
Where do anglers at Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County get supplies?
The Tackle Box, 25 miles out.
Plan a Colorado day at Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County
Fees, stamps and special rules sit on the license page.