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Colorado · Fishing
Commerce City sits on the northeastern edge of the Denver metro, and while it's not the first place most anglers think of when planning a Colorado fishing trip, it has a handful of accessible stillwater spots worth knowing about.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
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Commerce City sits on the northeastern edge of the Denver metro, and while it's not the first place most anglers think of when planning a Colorado fishing trip, it has a handful of accessible stillwater spots worth knowing about. Reservoir F, Engineer Lake, and Jayhawker #1 are all lake fisheries, meaning you're working the bank or a small watercraft rather than wading a river. That also means the tactics are straightforward: a simple bobber-and-worm setup or a light spinning rig with PowerBait will cover most situations for a casual outing. These are urban and suburban lakes, so expect some foot traffic, especially on weekends and warm evenings. The upside is that Colorado Parks and Wildlife regularly stocks front-range urban lakes to keep fishing pressure worthwhile, and all three waters here are the kind of accessible, no-hike-required spots that work well for families, beginners, or anyone who wants a few hours on the water without a long drive into the mountains. A valid Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older at all three locations.
All three are classified as lake fisheries, and urban front-range lakes in Colorado are typically stocked with rainbow trout during cooler months and often hold warm-water species like largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish year-round. Check the Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocking report before your trip to confirm recent activity at each specific water.
Bank fishing is the practical approach at all three locations. These are urban lakes without developed boat ramps, so most anglers fish from shore. A simple rod-and-reel setup with enough casting distance to reach open water is all you need.
Jayhawker #1
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Cherry Creek State Park
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Thornton Gravel Lake #2
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Engineer Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Reservoir F
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Adams County Fishing Pond East
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Kalcevic Reservoir
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Gordon Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Croke Reservoir
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
East Lake Number 2
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Webster Lake
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Mann-Nyholt Lake
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Early morning and the hour before sunset are consistently the most productive windows at stillwater urban lakes. Midday fishing in summer slows down as surface temperatures rise, though it can still be worth it during spring and fall when water temps stay cooler throughout the day.
A light to medium spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range handles most situations on these lakes. For trout, PowerBait, worms, and small spinners are reliable. For warm-water species, plastic worms and small jigs work well. Bring a valid Colorado fishing license, a net, and a way to handle and release fish if you're not keeping them.
Colorado state fishing regulations apply at all three waters, and a valid Colorado fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. Some urban lakes also have site-specific rules around hours of access or gear restrictions, so check the Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations page and any posted signage at the water before you fish.
