Manitou Lake: fishing yes, swimming no

For a close, easy place to take kids fishing in Teller County, many families head to Manitou Lake, a small reservoir in the Pike National Forest just off Highway 67 north of Woodland Park. It has a loop trail around the shore, picnic tables, and the kind of calm water that makes a first fishing trip pleasant.

Two rules matter before you load the car. First, this is a fishing and paddling water, not a swimming hole: swimming, wading, and all body contact with the water are prohibited. That rule catches a lot of summer visitors off guard on a hot day. Second, even though it is a small lake on public land, you still need a valid Colorado fishing license if you are old enough to require one, and you follow Colorado’s statewide fishing rules and limits. The lake is stocked, which is part of why it fishes well for beginners.

As a developed Forest Service recreation site, Manitou Lake may also charge a day-use fee and can fill up on busy weekends, so an early arrival helps.

Why this matters: knowing it is “fishing, not swimming,” and that a license is required, keeps an easy outing from turning into a citation or a disappointed kid.

Before you go, check the Pike National Forest recreation page for Manitou Lake and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishing rules.