Right now
Live from National Weather Service.
What to tie on now
- Flies
- Balanced leech #10-12, chironomid #14-16, small jig
- Rig
- Indicator rig near the bottom off points and the dam; very slow retrieves in cold water.
Flies checked against local shop reports on Nov 15. Ask at the local fly shop for what hatched this morning. They know before we do.
- Water
- Reservoir in Cherry Creek State Park, Aurora
- Drive from Denver
- About 25–35 minutes
- Access
- Shore fishing around the reservoir, plus boat ramps
- Best for
- Walleye, trout, wipers and bass close to town
- Season
- Year-round, including ice fishing when safe
- Fees
- State park pass plus a water quality fee; check CPW for current rates
- Dogs
- Leashed dogs allowed; there's a designated off-leash area
Where to park
Cherry Creek State Park, East entrance
- Parker Rd south from I-225, then east on Lehigh Ave to the entrance station. The west entrance is off S. Dayton St.
- State parks pass required. Drive in to the shoreline lots.
Lots, fees and hours change. Check posted signs when you arrive.
Overview
Cherry Creek is the closest big reservoir to central Denver. It's known for walleye, and state record walleye have come out of it. It also holds trout, wipers and bass. Over two million people visit the park a year, so weekday mornings are the quiet window.
Where to fish from shore
- The Tower Loop area near the dam is the classic shore spot. Stay at least 60 feet from the front of the tower structure.
- The south end of the reservoir is quieter and good for a slower session.
Walleye basics
Walleye feed best at low light: dawn, dusk and cloudy days. Jigs tipped with a nightcrawler, fished slow near the bottom, are the simplest start. Check the current size limit for walleye in the CPW regulations before you keep one.
Passes and rules
Vehicles need a state parks pass, and Cherry Creek adds a water quality fee. Lake zoning maps and fishing regulations are available at the park entrances.
Questions anglers ask
- What fish are in Cherry Creek Reservoir?
- Walleye, rainbow trout, wipers, bass, crappie, perch, bluegill and catfish.
- Where is the best shore fishing at Cherry Creek?
- The Tower Loop area near the dam and the quieter south end.
- Do I need a park pass to fish Cherry Creek?
- Yes. Every vehicle needs a state parks pass, plus the park's water quality fee.
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