Little Hohnholz Lake sits at the northern edge of Larimer County in the Laramie River Valley, roughly four miles from the Wyoming border. Part of the Hohnholz Lakes State Wildlife Area managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, this 19-acre lake draws fly anglers who prize its healthy population of brook trout, rainbow trout, and Snake River cutthroat. The drive in follows Colorado Highway 14 up the Cache la Poudre Canyon to Chambers Lake, then continues east along the gravel Laramie Road for about 30 miles, a remote approach that keeps angling pressure low and the experience quiet.
Fly fishing is the main attraction here. Scud patterns in sizes 10 through 14 produce consistent action, and local anglers report strong mayfly and hopper hatches in September. An Amy Ant dry fly can be deadly during late-summer terrestrial season. Beyond the lake itself, several inlet creeks feed the Hohnholz drainage, offering small-stream fishing for rainbows, cutbows, and browns. The surrounding Laramie River provides additional meadow water with diverse trout species and scenic mountain views.
Three lakes cluster near the Hohnholz campground, and visitors can camp while working the stillwater and moving water nearby. The State Wildlife Area requires a valid Colorado fishing license or a State Wildlife Area pass for anyone 16 or older. There are no paved roads, flush toilets, or developed facilities at the site, so plan to pack in what you need and leave no trace.
Spring and early summer bring snowmelt runoff that can muddy conditions, but by mid-July the water typically clears and fishing picks up through fall. Winter access is limited by snow on the gravel roads, though hardy anglers willing to snowshoe in can find solitude and willing trout. The elevation and remote setting mean weather changes fast, so carry layers and be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms even in summer. Little Hohnholz Lake is a genuine backcountry fishing destination where the reward matches the effort it takes to get there.