Poudre Ponds Recreational Fishery

A blue sign reads "Natural Area" in front of a grassy pond

 

Access the regional Poudre River Trail from the parking lot on 35th Ave or explore the fishery. Non-gas-powered boating, including electric motorboats and human-powered vessels like canoes and paddleboards, are permitted on the pond. Personal flotation devices (life jackets) are required for everyone on board each vessel. Trailers are prohibited from entering the water; you must hand-launch all watercraft. Fishing from the shore is permitted but wading and swimming are not allowed. The pond is stocked regularly with fish; follow the City of Greeley's social media channels for information on stocking schedules. Closure and alert information can be found on COTREX.

If fishing isn’t for you, stroll on the 1.7-mile loop around the pond or enjoy a picnic at the covered picnic tables.

Hours: Open 365 days, from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. 

Directions: The entrance is located on the east side of 35th Ave, between F St and O St

Parking: There are six parking spaces in the southwest corner of the fishery, plus two trailer parking spaces. There are an additional 15 parking spaces in the northwest corner, with access to the Poudre River Trail. Travel east on the dirt road from the south parking lot to access a covered picnic table. 

Features and Amenities: Parking, portable restroom, boat trailer parking, boat launch and hand launch, picnic shelter, benches and seating, no drinking water.

Allowed Activities: 

  • non-gas-powered boating 
  • fishing
  • walking
  • biking
  • wildlife viewing
  • leashed dog

Dogs must always be leashed in Greeley’s natural areas and on trails. This is for the safety of your dog, other trail users, and wildlife.

Prohibited Activities:

  • camping
  • hunting
  • riding horses
  • motorized vehicles on trails
  • wading
  • swimming
  • ice fishing
  • ice skating

Difficulty: The trail around the pond is also used as a service road. It is flat and fairly even.

Restoration Efforts: During the construction project, many fish habitat structures were installed. This creates a higher-quality and more diverse fish habitat and better fishing in the future. Rebuilding the fishery will take several years. Colorado Parks & Wildlife stocked Poudre Ponds with Black Crappie and Rainbow Trout in 2022. The fingerling (1-3”) fish will take a few years to grow to a fishable size.