Lake Erie is a quiet mountain lake in the Red Feather Lakes community of Larimer County, sitting at roughly 8,000 feet in elevation among ponderosa pine forests northwest of Fort Collins. The lake offers solid fishing and peaceful surroundings, but access is restricted to members of the Red Feather Lakes Association and property owners in the area. If you own property or hold a valid membership, Lake Erie provides one of the more relaxed fishing experiences in the northern Front Range foothills.
Fishing is the main activity at Lake Erie, and visitors consistently describe it as productive. The lake holds rainbow trout and brown trout, with stocking managed by the association to keep catch rates healthy. Shore fishing works well along several accessible points, and the smaller size of the lake means you do not need a boat to reach good water. Fly fishing with nymphs and small streamers produces results, especially in the mornings and evenings when surface activity picks up. A Colorado fishing license is required in addition to your association membership or endorsement.
The lake itself is peaceful and relatively small, which means it never feels crowded even during peak summer weekends. The surrounding pine forest and granite outcroppings give the shoreline a classic Colorado mountain character. Wildlife is common, including mule deer, Abert's squirrels, and various songbirds moving through the canopy.
Facilities at Lake Erie are minimal. There is no formal boat ramp, marina, or concession stand. Parking is available near the access point, and the shoreline trail provides easy walking between fishing spots. Restroom access is limited, so plan accordingly.
The Red Feather Lakes area sits about 50 miles northwest of Fort Collins via Highway 14 and Red Feather Lakes Road. The drive passes through the Cache la Poudre Canyon, one of Colorado's designated Wild and Scenic River corridors, making the trip scenic from start to finish. Other lakes in the Red Feather system offer additional fishing opportunities if you hold the right access. Dowdy Lake and West Lake, both managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, are nearby public alternatives for visitors without association membership.
Lake Erie rewards those with access through consistent fishing, mountain quiet, and the kind of uncrowded shoreline that keeps people coming back year after year.