Boedecker Reservoir to continue to be managed as a State Wildlife Area

 LOVELAND, Colo. - Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Consolidated Home Supply Ditch and Reservoir Company have signed a contract for a 10-year lease renewal that will allow CPW to continue to manage Boedecker Reservoir as a State Wildlife Area. 

"Colorado Parks and Wildlife has worked together in partnership with the Consolidated Home Supply Ditch and Reservoir Company,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Jason Duetsch. “Over the past several months we've developed a renewed lease that is a win for lovers of public access to local waters. We are excited to continue to offer fishing, hunting and wakeless boating opportunities to our customers and hope they have a chance to visit this beautiful property in the future." 

The fishery management at Boedecker Reservoir is for warm-water angling. 

Amenities at Boedecker include a boat ramp, primitive restrooms, ice fishing during the winter and wakeless boating during the spring, summer and fall. Past stocking efforts in the reservoir include plants for black crappie, saugeye, channel catfish and white bass. 

“Boedecker Reservoir will be a quality destination for anglers targeting white bass and crappie during 2021,” said Ben Swigle, aquatic biologist for CPW. “Both species thrive in Boedecker in large part because of natural reproduction. White bass can be targeted in open water while crappie tend to associate with submerged vegetation.”

Dove and waterfowl hunting opportunities also exist at Boedecker SWA.

“This was a collective effort to ensure the reservoir would remain public and available for outdoor recreation,” said Kristin Cannon, Deputy Regional Manager for CPW’s Northeast Region. “Larimer County, the City of Loveland and local neighborhoods were supportive throughout this process and because of that its residents will be able to enjoy this cherished piece of the outdoors right in their own backyard."

State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) are state- or privately-owned lands that offer wildlife-related recreation to the public. A valid hunting or fishing license is required for everyone 18 or older accessing any State Wildlife Area or CPW-leased State Trust Land

About Boedecker SWA
From Loveland, go two miles west on First Street to County Road 21, then 1/2 mile south to the reservoir. Boedecker is a wakeless lake with a concrete boat ramp and parking on the northeast side of the lake. When the lake is full it contains several submerged grass and brush piles along the western shores.

Sportfishing Notes

• For walleye and saugeye, fish any rock structure when water temperatures are between 45-55 degrees.
• Later, fish are scattered but tube jigs, kindy rigs, triple ripples, are good choices.
• For white bass, follow the birds. The white bass will be chasing gizzard shad. Use silver castmasters or another shad imitation. White bass are also often attracted to flows when the reservoir is filling (especially at 60-65 degrees fahrenheit).

Boedecker SWA Regulations

• Boating is prohibited in a manner that creates a white water wake. 
• Fishing is prohibited from boats from Nov. 1 through the last day of the migratory waterfowl season. 
• Horseback riding is prohibited.
• Sail surfboards are prohibited.
• Discharge of firearms or bows is prohibited except when hunting. 
• Fires are prohibited. 
• Camping is prohibited. 
• Public access is prohibited from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise daily except for fishing.

For more information or questions, please call CPW’s Fort Collins office at 970-472-4300.