Lakes of Northern Colorado & Southern Wyoming

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This list is by no means comprehensive, no list can be. If you have a favorite lake or a suggestion e-mail me, and it will be added. I would like to thank Jim Olsen of New Mexico for adding to this list.

Colorado Lakes

• Seeley Lake - located just north of Greeley.  Around 60 acres, it's our primary sailing area.   We usually have pretty good ice, and it's close to home.  As we've gotten faster, the lake seems to be getting smaller!

• Boyd Lake - located on the east side of Loveland, is a good sized lake.
• Boedecker Lake - located on the southwest side of Loveland looks like a very sailable lake, although we haven't tried it out yet.  The round shape lends itself to any wind direction.

Other Colorado Lakes

• Dillon Res. Several square miles Occasionally iceboating done here, when it isn't buried in snow, which is normal. Chic Koran knows most about this lake.
• Blue Mesa Lake near Gunnison Ten square miles. Terry Moleaneaux considers this Colorado's premier iceboating lake.
• Eleven Mile (about 60 Mi. west of Colo. Springs) Five square Miles. Islets in the lake seem to help create working cracks. Antero Res. further west may be good.

Wyoming Lakes

• Lake Hattie - East of  Laramie.  Lots of wind!  An excellent place to sail as long as the wind has cleared the snow.  Lots of room, as the fishermen keep to the edges.
• Alcova Res. Est size 2 to 3 sq. mi.. Can be good, but beware sailing in a cove surrounded by high hills in tne NW part of the lake. Topography in that cove causes wind direction to shift instantly up to 90 degrees.
• Goldeneye Res. abt. 15 to 30 miles NW of Casper north of road to Shoshoni. Est. size 1/4 to 1/2 sq. mi. Wind almost always blows here. BLM lake, ck with them at Casper.
• Glendo Res. Several sq. miles Can have nice sailing. In recent years they have been changing water levels at odd times, which could affect conditions.
• De Smet. Est 2 to 3 square Mi. Lake accessable

New Mexico:

• Eagle Nest: 1550 Acres. New Mexico's primo lake. Usually a few weeks of sailing around Christmas, and sometimes spring sailing in March. Mid-season it's almost always covered with thick snow.
• Maloya: 160 acres. Sometimes good, but a few locals have been known to cut large fishing holes with chainsaws. In a state park. The park rangers usually give good info about conditions.
• Lakes a little East of the Sangre De Christos: Scattered lakes between the NM/Colo border, usually only frozen thick enough in part of January. (state and private) Can have great sailing on very cold years, if you don't mind sailing on 2 to 4 inches of ice.
• Bluewater Lake, between Grants and Gallup: 880 acres. Can get good ice, but usually not a lot of wind out there.

A note regarding waterfowl season:

Some of the lakes listed are waterfowl hunting areas. Regulations prohibit boating, other than hand-propelled craft, during hunting season. Unfortunately, the waterfowl season extends late into the ice season. Check waterfowl regulations for specific restrictions on the waters you may be interested in.

Disclaimer:

The information contained herein is intended as a guide to possible ice sailing lakes. Always ask permission of the owner of the property, and check regulations regarding boating and usage before sailing. The author assumes no responsibility or liability arising out of use of any of the areas listed.   Sail at your own risk; always check ice thickness. Leave nothing behind but a good impression of iceboaters, and we will all be better off.