Bellvue in Larimer County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Joe Wright Reservoir
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2025
1. Joe Wright Reservoir Marker
Colorados largest population of Arctic grayling swim in the cold waters of Joe Wright Reservoir.
Arctic Grayling were introduced into Zimmerman Lake in 1951 from Flathead Lake in Montana. They soon found their way down to Joe Wright Reservoir, and according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, are such successful spawners in an engineered spawning channel that they now comprise the majority of fish caught in these waters.
Season
Open year-round to hand-launched, nonmotorized boating, shoreline and ice fishing.
Fishing
Arctic grayling, cutthroat trout, tiger muskie.
Artificial flies and lures only, no fishing in Joe Wright Creek from reservoir confluence to Colorado 14 (to protect spawning fish).
Possession limit 4 total
(trout and grayling combined).
Information
www.wildlife.state.co.us
ATTENTION Anglers and Boaters! Invasive Species Threaten Your Fisheries
Threats to your Waters
As you move from place to place, you might be bringing unwanted guests known as invasive species.
Fishing gear such as waders, boats, trailers, and live wells are hot spots or spreading invasive species.
Invasive species are already in the Rocky Mountain area (see photos above).
Invasive species threaten to permanently change our fisheries in negative ways.
What Can You Do?
Much like "catch and release" fishing has been adopted by anglers around the nation, we need to include clean angling as part of angling ethics.
As you are leaving one area and before entering new waters:
Inspect gear, boats, and trailers, and remove water, plants, animals, or mud. Clean your gear (and pets) carefully.Spread the message, not the invasive species!
Thoroughly dry your gear before using in new waters or spray with Sparquatฎ or Fomula 409ฎ
Wait 15 min. and rinse thoroughly before reentering the water.
Never transport any water, plants, fish, or other animals from place to place.
Topics.
this page online
Location. 40° 32.356′ N, 105° 52.937′ W. Marker is in Bellvue, Colorado, in Larimer County. It can be reached from the intersection of Poudre Canyon Road (State Highway 14 at milepost 66.5) and Forest Road 143, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located at the Zimmerman Lake Trailhead (#977) parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 56903 Poudre Canyon Road, Bellvue CO 80512, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Get to Know your Native Greenback Cutthroat Trout (here, next to this marker); Poudre Pioneer Tourism
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2025
2. Joe Wright Reservoir Marker
Looking north across the Zimmerman Lake Trailhead parking lot and Poudre Canyon Road (State Highway 14) in the left background. This historical marker is leftmost of two interpretive panels on the kiosk.
Also see . . . Arctic Grayling in Colorado (CheneGear.com).
Excerpt: The Arctic Grayling, scientifically known as Thymallus arcticus, is a unique coldwater fish species that thrives in very specific and often extreme environments. Native to the northern reaches of North America, these fish are rarely found in the lower 48 states of the U.S., making their presence in this region particularly special. Within the lower 48, they are found in a few select lakes and rivers, with notable populations.(Submitted on September 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
At a staggering 10,158 feet above sea level and located in north-central Colorado, the stunning lake known as Joe Wright is one of the very few places that has naturally reproducing Arctic Grayling. Grayling were first introduced to Colorado in the late 1890s, but it took several decades of fish management and perseverance before they became self-sustaining in the mid-1960s. The high elevation and dramatic cold climate have made Joe Wright Reservoir an ideal place for Grayling. Although they havent been in the reservoir for very long, they have absolutely flourished, resulting in an abundant Grayling population.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
