Neenoshe Reservoir, Colorado, USA

Also known as:  Nee Noshe Reservoir

Everyone knows the song about “a home where the deer and the antelope play.” For the people who live around the Great Plains Reservoirs, that home is a reality. Neenoshe Reservoir is the largest of the reservoirs in the group and a great place to boat fish or watch birds and wildlife. All the Great Plains Reservoirs are natural-basin reservoirs also known as modified playa lakes. Playa…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Neenoshe Reservoir! Article topics include:

Looking for Neenoshe Reservoir cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.


All About Neenoshe Reservoir, CO

Everyone knows the song about “a home where the deer and the antelope play.” For the people who live around the Great Plains Reservoirs, that home is a reality. Neenoshe Reservoir is the largest of the reservoirs in the group and a great place to boat fish or watch birds and wildlife.

All the Great Plains Reservoirs are natural-basin reservoirs also known as modified playa lakes. Playa is Spanish for beach and describes over 25,000 shallow lakes, some only a foot deep, that dot the Southern Great Plains. Playa lakes are shallow depressions usually with clay and compacted sediments on the bottom. Their water levels fluctuate seasonally, and they have historically provided mini-oasis for the native peoples of the short grass prairie. In recent times playa lakes have been used to store water including flood water for irrigation.

Fed by the Amity Canal from the Arkansas River, the Great Plains Reservoirs are one of the most extensive projects of its kind in the west for storing flood water for irrigation. Built and modified by the Great Plains Water Company, the reservoirs were used for irrigation for the first time in 1990. Nee Noshe, which is Cheyenne for Standing Water, is one of four reservoirs in the system including Neesopah, Neegronda, and Neeskah. With the exception of Neeskah all the reservoirs are networked together with a system of canals and gates.

In addition to providing valuable irrigation water, Neenoshe is a great place to fish. Stocked by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW), the reservoir is home to wiper, saugeye, crappie, channel catfish, large mouth bass, and bullhead. Annually Neenoshe along with Neegronda hosts walleye and bass tournaments. Anglers will find plenty to challenge them on this warm water lake.

Note: Water levels have declined steadily over the past decade, as irrigation companies have stored water in other reservoirs. Once considered to be one of the best warm water fisheries in Colorado, game fish numbers have declined sharply in Neenoshe Reservoir. Colorado DOW strategies will focus on rebuilding this fishery.

There is boating on Neenoshe including sailing, as well as windsurfing and waterskiing. Public boat ramps are available, but there are not any marinas around the reservoir and fuel must be carried in. Primitive camping is allowed, and there is a lot of water fun to be had on this quiet lake.

Nine miles south of Eads in Kiowa County, all the Great Plains Reservoirs are part of the Queens State Wildlife Area. There is excellent hunting in the area for deer, antelope, rabbit, pheasant, and other small game and waterfowl. Visitors that prefer to hunt with a camera can shoot the large flocks of snow geese or bald and golden eagles. Snowy, mountain, and piping plovers also make their homes at Neenoshe.

Precious water teaming with fish and surrounded by golden prairie and wildlife not pressured by encroaching civilization makes Neenoshe and the Great Plains Reservoirs a great place to visit.

Things to Do at Neenoshe Reservoir

These are some activities in the Neenoshe Reservoir, CO area visitors can enjoy:

  • Fishing
  • Fishing Tournaments
  • Boating
  • Sailing
  • Swimming
  • Beach
  • Water Skiing
  • Camping
  • Hunting
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding

What Kind of Fish Are in Neenoshe Reservoir?

Neenoshe Reservoir has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Bass
  • Catfish
  • Channel Catfish
  • Crappie
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Perch
  • Saugeye Perch
  • Walleye
divider

Find Places to Stay at Neenoshe Reservoir

If you’re considering a Neenoshe Reservoir lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Sites to Book a Neenoshe Reservoir Vacation

Our interactive Neenoshe Reservoir lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

Check TripAdvisor
Check Expedia
Find a Campspot
All Travel Resources

Neenoshe Reservoir Statistics & Helpful Links

divider

Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

Water Level Control: Arkansas Valley Sugar Beet and Irrigated Land Co.

Surface Area: 3,770 acres

Average Depth: 22 feet

Water Volume: 82,121 acre-feet

Lake Area-Population: 846

We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

Shop Neenoshe Reservoir Gifts

Custom Lake Tumblers

Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake T Shirt

Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

SHOP NOW
VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

More Neenoshe Reservoir news from LakeLubbers.com

  • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
  • The Neenoshe Reservoir forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
  • New Neenoshe Reservoir photos coming soon!
  • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
  • Share this Neenoshe Reservoir article with your fellow LakeLubbers: