PUEBLO RESERVOIR

Description
Recreation at Pueblo Reservoir is managed by the Colorado State Parks under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Eastern Colorado Area Office, Loveland, Colorado.Pueblo Reservoir was created by Pueblo Dam which crosses the Arkansas River. The reservoir is part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. The 1.7 million annual visitor's recreation activities are accommodated by 6.8 square miles (4,646 acres) of surface water area, 64 miles of shoreline, and approximately 25 square miles of semi-arid dessert state park wildlife lands. Average elevation is 5,000 feet above sea level. Current reservoir levels. A state park fee area, facilities include 4 campgrounds with 400 campsites, modern showers and rest rooms, a recreation information center, 2 boat ramps, and 2 marina complexes. Primary warm water sport fish available are largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, perch, crappie, channel catfish, northern pike and stocked rainbow trout. In 1994, the Colorado state record spotted bass species was caught at Pueblo reservoir. Small game, upland bird, and waterfowl hunting is permitted in designated park areas. Nature, hiking, and bicycle trails exist as well as a fishing pier. Downstream from the dam, a water recreation area includes a swim beach and bathhouse area and a fish hatchery. The state park is located 6 miles west of Pueblo. The state park facilities are closed during the winter months, however access to the reservoir exists year round.