Ordway Town Reservoir is an 18-acre fishing hole located two miles north of the small town of Ordway on Highway 71 in Crowley County, serving as the primary outdoor recreation spot for a stretch of Colorado's southeastern plains. This modest reservoir does not have the mountain scenery or developed amenities of larger Colorado lakes, but it offers free shoreline fishing, seasonal trout stocking, and a quiet escape from the highway that local anglers have relied on for years. If you are passing through the lower Arkansas Valley or live in the Ordway area, this reservoir is worth a stop with a rod and a lawn chair.
Fishing is the sole recreational activity at Ordway Town Reservoir. Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks rainbow trout in spring and fall, and the lake also holds channel catfish and largemouth bass that provide action through the warmer months. Reviews are split on the fishing experience — some visitors report catching their limit of hungry trout shortly after stocking, while others find the fish uncooperative between stockings. Timing your visit to coincide with CPW stocking schedules significantly improves your odds. Shore fishing along the east edge of the first reservoir is the most accessible and productive area.
The reservoir has no facilities whatsoever. There are no restrooms, no boat ramp, no picnic tables, no trash service, and no drinking water. Boating of any kind is prohibited. Bring everything you need, including water, shade, and a bag for your trash. The wind can pick up on the open plains, and biting flies are a nuisance during warmer months, so insect repellent and a windbreaker are smart additions to your gear.
Access is straightforward: take Highway 71 north from Ordway for two miles and turn west into the reservoir parking area. No fee is required to visit, but a valid Colorado fishing license is mandatory for anyone fishing. The reservoir is open year-round, though water levels can fluctuate significantly depending on irrigation demand and seasonal rainfall. Multiple reviewers have noted the reservoir running very low or even dry during drought years, particularly in late summer and fall.
Ordway Town Reservoir is a no-frills fishing spot that rewards anglers who time their visits right and come prepared for the open-plains environment. For a more developed fishing experience in Crowley County, Lake Meredith Reservoir to the northeast offers additional water and a different setting. The town of Ordway itself has basic supplies and fuel for travelers along Highway 71 and Highway 96.