Where to fish near Denver
Rivers, tailwaters and ponds within a few hours of town, with the flow, the rig, the rules and the stops.
Cheesman Canyon
How to fly fish Cheesman Canyon on the South Platte: the hike in, best flows, flies by season, rigs for wary trout, regulations and when to go.
Deckers (South Platte)
Fly fishing the South Platte at Deckers: roadside access, best flows, seasonal flies, how to beat the crowds and why some days fish poorly.
Dream Stream
Fly fishing the Dream Stream below Spinney Mountain Reservoir: lake-run browns and rainbows, the best seasons, flows, flies, wind and etiquette.
Elevenmile Canyon
Fly fish Elevenmile Canyon on the South Platte below Elevenmile Dam: canyon road access, the trophy water near the dam, flows, flies and tips.
Blue River (Silverthorne)
Fly fishing the Blue River tailwater below Dillon Dam in Silverthorne: mysis shrimp, big trout, flows, access through town and winter tips.
Big Thompson River
Fly fishing the Big Thompson below Olympus Dam near Estes Park: pocket water, lots of fish, the right flow gauge, flies and low-water tactics.
Clear Creek (Golden)
Fishing Clear Creek in Golden and Clear Creek Canyon: where the trout are, how big they get, the best time of day in winter and simple rigs.
Waterton Canyon
Fishing Waterton Canyon on the South Platte near Littleton: walk or bike access, tailwater trout, best sections, the no-dogs rule and winter tips.
Fryingpan River
Fly fishing the Fryingpan below Ruedi Dam near Basalt: mysis at the Toilet Bowl, the lower river, hatches, flows and making it a weekend trip from Denver.
Smith Reservoir (Lakewood)
Fishing Smith Reservoir in Lakewood, Colorado: CPW's emergency fish salvage, species, rules, cold-water bait rigs and tips for bass and panfish.
Lowell Ponds
Fishing Lowell Ponds SWA in north Denver: a quick warmwater option, when it fishes best, simple rigs and State Wildlife Area rules to check.
Valente Lake (Thornton)
Fishing Valente Lake in Adams County near Thornton: three ponds, docks, the South Platte Trail, cold-water panfish and bass rigs, and dog-friendly access.
West Gravel Lakes (Thornton)
Fishing Thornton's West Gravel Lakes along the South Platte: what lives there, gate locations, seasonal hours, and how to fish pressured city water.
Fishing Near Thornton
Where you can legally fish near Thornton and north Denver: city lakes, Adams County parks, the gravel lakes, and which waters are private (including Smith Reservoir on Heritage Dr).
Chatfield Reservoir
Fishing Chatfield State Park near Littleton: what you can catch, where to fish from shore, ice fishing, park and dog passes, and boat rules.
Cherry Creek Reservoir
Fishing Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora: walleye, trout, wipers and bass, the best shore spots, ice fishing, park passes and rules.
Bear Creek (Morrison)
Fly fishing Bear Creek near Morrison and Idledale: public access at Lair o' the Bear and other parks, wild brown trout, winter tactics and flies.
Standley Lake (Westminster)
Fishing Standley Lake Regional Park in Westminster: shore fishing year-round, daytime-only hours, no live aquatic bait, no ice fishing, and permits.
South Platte in Denver
Urban fishing on the South Platte through Denver: carp on the fly, smallmouth and surprise trout near Confluence Park, where to go and what to use.
St. Vrain Creek (Lyons)
Fly fishing St. Vrain Creek in Lyons: catch-and-release, flies-and-lures-only rules in town, public access, flows and the best flies by season.
Arkansas River (Salida and Buena Vista)
Fly fishing the Arkansas River between Buena Vista and Salida: Gold Medal water, the spring caddis hatch, public access, winter fishing, flies and where to eat after.
Evergreen Lake
Fishing Evergreen Lake in the foothills west of Denver: stocked trout, a trail all the way around, sunrise-to-sunset hours, ice fishing, and where to park.
Georgetown Lake
Fishing Georgetown Lake off I-70: stocked rainbows and wild browns, fall fish at the inlet, ice fishing, bighorn sheep, and exactly where to park.
Boulder Creek
Fly fishing Boulder Creek: wild brown trout right in town at Eben G. Fine Park, pocket water in Boulder Canyon, flies that work, and where to park.
Barr Lake State Park
Fishing Barr Lake State Park northeast of Denver: shore and boat fishing on the north half, accessible piers, park hours, fees and where to park.