Right now
Live from National Weather Service.
What to tie on now
- Flies
- Crawler piece or waxworm under a bobber; half a crawler or a small dark jig on the bottom for bass
- Rig
- Spinning rod, 6–8 lb line, bobber 3–4 ft over the hook, one split shot. On a fly rod, a dark bugger crawled on the bottom.
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
- Three warmwater ponds in an Adams County park off E 104th Ave
- Drive
- About 15–25 minutes from most of Thornton and north Denver
- Access
- Paved paths, docks and bank access; connects to the South Platte Trail
- Species
- Warmwater fish: bass and panfish, plus others depending on the pond
- Rules
- Colorado regulations; read the posted signs for any site rules
- Dogs
- Leashed dogs are generally welcome in Adams County parks
Where to park
Elaine T. Valente Open Space
- Adams County lot with restrooms and a shelter, a short walk to the lakes and docks.
- County park hours are 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Lots, fees and hours change. Check posted signs when you arrive.
Overview
Valente Lake is a small Adams County park with three fishable ponds, docks and paved paths along the South Platte. It's an easy, low-key option for north-metro anglers who want to fish without driving into the mountains, and it's a good place to bring a dog or teach someone to fish.
Cold-water game plan
- Set up on a dock or point next to the deepest water you can reach, out of the wind.
- Panfish: a 1-inch piece of crawler or a waxworm under a bobber, hanging just off the bottom. Let it sit.
- Bass: half a crawler or a small dark jig crawled along the bottom, with long pauses.
- If nothing bites in 20 minutes, move to another pond. There are three on site.
Warm-season tips
From late spring through early fall, fish the edges early and late. Small jigs and topwater along weed lines on calm evenings work for bass, and panfish stack up near docks and cover.
Where to eat and gear up
Stops in Thornton. Dog-friendly means leashed dogs on the patio; call to confirm, especially in winter.
| Stop | Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Satire Brewing | Dogs welcome on patio | Heated patio. Good in cold |
| Tequila's Mexican Restaurant | Dogs welcome on patio | 15-table dog patio |
| Johnny's Italian Steakhouse | Dogs welcome on patio | Dog-friendly patio, sit-down |
| Sportsman's Warehouse | Fly shop / tackle | Hooks, bait, licenses, spooling help |
| Walmart | Fly shop / tackle | Bait + basics |
Questions anglers ask
- Can you fish Valente Lake?
- Yes. It's an Adams County park with fishable ponds. Colorado regulations apply, and you need a valid license if you're 16 or older.
- Are dogs allowed at Valente Lake?
- Leashed dogs are generally welcome in Adams County parks. Follow the posted rules.
- Are there dog-friendly restaurants near Valente Lake (Thornton)?
- Yes. In Thornton, Satire Brewing, Tequila's Mexican Restaurant, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse welcome leashed dogs on their patios. Patios are seasonal, so call ahead in winter.
- Where can I buy flies or tackle near Valente Lake (Thornton)?
- Sportsman's Warehouse is the closest shop. Hooks, bait, licenses, spooling help.
Read next
Fishing Near Thornton, Colorado
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).
3 min read
The Bobber and Bait Rig
The simplest, most effective panfish rig: hook, split shot, bobber and bait, plus depth, bait choice and cold-water tweaks.
2 min read
Catching Bass in Cold Water
Cold-water bass fishing made simple: where bass hold, slow bottom presentations, how to detect the bite and set the hook.
2 min read