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Empire Reservoir

Colorado
10.06 km²
40.2678, -104.1625
15 species
NHD 120652857
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Imagery © Esri
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About Empire Reservoir

Empire Reservoir is a natural lake or pond in Colorado, United States. It covers approximately 10.06 km² (2486 acres). The lake centroid is located at 40.2678° N, 104.1625° W. 15 fish species are commonly found in waters like this one, including 2 introduced species. Lake boundary and identifier come from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.

At a glance

Best season
April – October
Long open-water season
Natural lake
Large
Room for multiple techniques
Species diversity
Diverse
15 species in this region
Access
Public waterbody
Check Colorado fishing regulations

Weather at Empire Reservoir

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Best fishing times today

Day length: 11h 34m
Dawn12:31
Sunrise12:59
Sunset00:32
Dusk00:59

Bite windows today

  • Dawn12:01 – 13:59Excellent
  • Morning13:59 – 18:45Good
  • Midday18:45 – 21:32Calm
  • Afternoon21:32 – 23:32Good
  • Dusk23:32 – 01:29Excellent
  • Night01:29 – 12:01Good
Moon: 14% · waning↑ 09:47

Fish species

Species data comes from GBIF and is refreshed by donors.Support this →

Showing 15 of 15 species

Gear & tips for rainbow trout

Rod
5- to 7-weight fly rod
Sage X
Vision XO
Loop Q
Reel
5/6-weight fly reel
Mainline
WF-5/6 floating line + intermediate
Leader
Tapered + 0.20 mm tippet
Lures / bait
  • Streamers
  • Egg patterns
  • Nymphs
  • Dry flies
  • Boobies
Find fly fishing gear at Sportfish
Season
April–November (put-and-take year-round)
Time of day
All day
Tip

Put-and-take fishing is common. Vary your depth. Popular Swedish waters: Bunn, Sommen and many small stocked put-and-take ponds.

Full guide

Plan your trip to Empire Reservoir

Everything you need before you launch — license, regulations, and current water conditions.

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Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Water conditions & levels
USGS gauge data near Empire Reservoir
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Frequently asked questions

What fish species live in Empire Reservoir?

Species you can expect in or near Empire Reservoir include Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Flathead Catfish, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and others. The list is based on species present in Colorado waters and GBIF occurrence records.

How big is Empire Reservoir?

Empire Reservoir covers approximately 10.06 square kilometres (2486 acres), based on the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.

Where is Empire Reservoir located?

Empire Reservoir is located in Colorado, United States, with its centroid at 40.2678°, -104.1625°.

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Data sources: USGS National Hydrography Dataset · GBIF