Cemetery Lake

Cemetery Lake is a small, history-adjacent fishing spot in the western part of Loveland, sitting quietly in Larimer County near the Lakeside Cemetery and the restored Mariano Medina Family Cemetery. It is not the kind of lake that shows up on Colorado's greatest-hits lists, but for local anglers and walkers who know about it, this modest water body delivers a pleasant outing with a side of genuine frontier history.

The lake occupies a low-lying area in west Loveland, not far from the Big Thompson River corridor and the Namaqua Park neighborhood. The surrounding landscape is a mix of mature trees, open grassland, and residential edges that give the lake a quiet, neighborhood-park feel. Views of the northern Front Range foothills frame the western horizon, and the overall atmosphere leans peaceful and unhurried.

Fishing at Cemetery Lake targets warm-water and cold-water species. The lake supports largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and bluegill. Trout fishing picks up in the cooler months when water temperatures drop and stocking supplements the population. Bass anglers find action during the warmer months, especially early morning and evening sessions when fish move into the shallows. The lake is small enough that shore fishing covers most of the productive water, making it a good option for anglers who prefer to fish without a boat.

The historical dimension adds genuine character to a visit. The Mariano Medina Family Cemetery, located nearby, honors one of the earliest permanent settlers in the Big Thompson Valley. Medina was a fur trapper, Army scout, and businessman who established Fort Namaqua, a small trading settlement, in the mid-1800s. The Loveland Historical Society restored the cemetery and placed it on the State and Local Historic Register. A short walk from the lake, the cemetery includes interpretive displays, a historic wagon, and information about Medina's connections to figures like Wild Bill Hickok.

Namaqua Park, located just north of the cemetery, provides a shelter house, playground, and open green space that round out a family visit. The combination of fishing, historical exploration, and park amenities makes the area a solid choice for a relaxed morning or afternoon in Loveland without needing to drive into the canyon or up into the mountains.

Cemetery Lake works best as a local fishing hole and a quiet place to walk rather than a destination you plan a trip around. For Loveland residents and visitors already in the area, it offers an unexpected pairing of small-lake fishing and Colorado frontier history that you will not find at the more famous lakes along the northern Front Range.