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Colorado · Fishing
Littleton sits at the edge of the South Platte corridor, and the fishing here is almost entirely stillwater — reservoirs and lakes rather than moving water.
9 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 9 spots
Littleton sits at the edge of the South Platte corridor, and the fishing here is almost entirely stillwater — reservoirs and lakes rather than moving water. Chatfield Reservoir is the anchor of the local scene, a large Front Range impoundment that holds warmwater species and draws consistent pressure year-round. Smaller waters like Eaglewatch Lake, Blackrock Lake, and Redtail Lake offer quieter alternatives where you can find a bank spot without fighting weekend crowds. South Platte Reservoir and Platte Canyon Reservoir round out the options for anglers willing to explore a bit. Most of these waters are accessible without a boat, though a kayak or small craft opens up more of Chatfield and the larger reservoirs considerably. The fishing calendar here tracks the Colorado Front Range pattern: spring and fall tend to be the most productive windows, summer mornings are worth an early alarm, and ice fishing is possible on some of the smaller lakes in a hard winter. None of the waters in this area carry a gold-medal or wild-trout designation, so expectations should be set accordingly — this is solid community fishing, not a destination trophy scene.
Yes, a valid Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older at all of these waters. Chatfield Reservoir sits within Chatfield State Park, so you will also need a Colorado State Parks pass or pay the daily vehicle fee at the gate. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife directly for current license pricing and any site-specific regulations before you go.
The supplied listings are all lake and reservoir fishing without wild-trout or gold-medal designations, so expect a warmwater and stocked-trout mix typical of Front Range impoundments. Chatfield Reservoir is known for bass, walleye, and catfish alongside stocked trout. Smaller waters like Eaglewatch Lake and Blackrock Lake are more likely to hold panfish and stocked rainbow trout, particularly after CPW stocking runs in spring and fall.
Indian Creek Equestrian Campground
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
South Platte Reservoir
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Buffalo Campground
~36 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Chatfield Reservoir
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Meadows Group Campground
~36 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Blackrock Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Bear Creek Lake City Park
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Eaglewatch Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Cherry Creek State Park
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Redtail Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
South Platte River #13A
~32 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Lower Tule Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Early morning is the most reliable window during summer months — water temperatures climb quickly on these exposed Front Range reservoirs, and fish activity drops off by mid-morning. Plan to be on the water at or before sunrise if you are targeting bass or trout in July and August. Evening can also produce, but morning consistently outperforms it at stillwater fisheries like these.
Bank fishing is viable at most of these waters, and several of the smaller lakes like Eaglewatch and Blackrock are well-suited to it. Chatfield Reservoir has designated fishing areas accessible on foot, but a kayak or small motorized boat will give you access to deeper structure and more of the shoreline. Check Chatfield State Park's current boating rules, as horsepower restrictions apply.
Yes, the smaller lakes on this list are reasonable starting points for new anglers and families. Stocked trout are more forgiving targets than wild fish, and waters like Blackrock Lake and Eaglewatch Lake tend to be less crowded than Chatfield on weekends. A simple setup with a bobber and bait will cover most of what you need at these stillwater fisheries.
