Front Range Fishing Guide: Denver-Area Lakes and the South Platte
Denver-area anglers can fish Chatfield and Cherry Creek reservoirs and the South Platte River on the Front Range.
Topography and landscape
Chatfield State Park is in Littleton, along the South Platte River where it flows out of the mountains onto the prairie at the mouth of Waterton Canyon. It sits in the lower foothills of the Front Range on the southwestern edge of Denver, at an elevation of 5,450 feet, on a gently rolling plain of alluvial cobble, gravel, sand, silt and clay. CPW Chatfield State Park page
Cherry Creek State Park is in Aurora, surrounded by the Denver metro area, anchored around an 880 surface-acre reservoir in rolling prairie at about 5,500 feet. CPW Cherry Creek State Park page
What you'll find
Fishing at Chatfield: trout and bass, plus walleye, channel catfish, yellow perch, crappie, bluegill, sunfish and carp. The reservoir is periodically stocked with rainbow trout. CPW Chatfield State Park brochure (PDF)
Cherry Creek State Park has two boat ramps, East and West, with mandatory boat inspections. CPW Cherry Creek State Park page
Responsible use
Boat inspections are mandatory for motorized boats before launch. See the CPW boat inspection page for current rules. Motorized boats and sailboats also need an ANS stamp, and if mussels are found, staff decontaminate on site. CPW runs these inspections to stop aquatic nuisance species; read the CPW aquatic nuisance species page before you trailer a boat between waters. CPW says cleaning your gear, draining out any water inside and drying it in the sun can get rid of invasive species hitching a ride (CPW aquatic nuisance species page).
Kindness to other users
Cherry Creek State Park has 35 miles of multiuse trails and gets especially heavy crowds on summer weekends. CPW Cherry Creek State Park page
At Chatfield State Park, CPW asks visitors to view wildlife from a safe distance, stay on trails, keep dogs leashed and keep human food away from wildlife. CPW Chatfield State Park page
Best times to go
Springtime presents walleye and trout opportunities at Chatfield, while bass, perch, crappie and catfish are most often caught in summer. CPW Chatfield State Park brochure (PDF)
Why visit
The South Platte below Cheesman Reservoir descends through Cheesman Canyon to Deckers, a well known fly fishing area. The fishery is managed by CPW. Denver Water South Platte River page
For Western Slope fishing, check out our guide to the Gunnison River for brown trout and safety tips. Gunnison River brown trout gear and safety guide
Safety
Check the NWS Boulder forecast office for weather updates before any Front Range day. Mountain lion and bear live in the Chatfield area; view wildlife from a safe distance. CPW Chatfield State Park brochure (PDF)
Our cold-water shoulder season safety checklist offers tips for fishing in changing conditions. Cold Water Safety for Colorado's Shoulder Season