Willow Creek Reservoir is located just a few miles north of Granby Colorado at an elevation of 8,130 feet. Most of the shoreline is easily accessible by foot or vehicle. It’s another great Colorado fishing location for Rainbow trout, Cutthroat trout and Kokanee salmon. Tucked into the Willow Creek Valley, this is a No Wake reservoir is best suited to hand-launched vessels; kayaks, rafts, canoes and belly boats. Sailboarding is not allowed. A small semi-shaded National Forest campground on the south side provides a quiet, comfortable camping spot.

This 750 acre reservoir serves as a water savings resource for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District’s West Slope collection system and captures snowmelt runoff from the Willow Creek basin. After being captured in the reservoir, the water is then pumped to Lake Granby. On average, 30,000 acre feet are diverted from Willow Creek Reservoir to Lake Granby each year. The pump plant at Willow Creek, which was built in 1952, first lifts water 175 feet to the Willow Creek Supply Canal, the water then flows 1/4 mile into Lake Granby.

Fishing in Willow Creek Reservoir is good! 12-14 inch Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brown trout are relatively common. DOW surveys have noted fish in the 24-26 inch range in some of their samples. The Kokanee fishing is also very good in this reservoir. The typical baits and lures seem to produce good results. The water is generally murky from mid May to early June. After the water clears, the fishing improves dramatically. Ice fishing is allowed on this reservoir and protable shelters can be used on the ice. The open shoreline makes Willow Creek Reservoir a great option for family fishing adventures.

Willow Creek Reservoir is managed by the Sulphur Ranger District. You can find more information on this Ranger District in our Arapaho National Forest article. A $5.00 vehicle pass is required for day users. The pass can be purchased at the reservoir.

Nearby Colorado towns include: Fraser, Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Springs and Tabernash

Getting to Willow Creek Reservoir

Turn west from Colorado State Highway 34 onto County Road 40, roughly 5 miles north of Highway 40, or a quarter mile south of the southern Granby entrance. Travel about 2.5 miles until road dead-ends into the lake road.

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