Loading trail…
Colorado · Fishing
Sedalia sits at the northern edge of the Pike National Forest, putting anglers within a short drive of some genuinely varied water.
8 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 8 spots
Sedalia sits at the northern edge of the Pike National Forest, putting anglers within a short drive of some genuinely varied water. The South Platte River corridor is the main draw, with Cheesman Canyon offering demanding fly fishing at 6,800 feet for brown trout and rainbow trout in tight, technical runs that reward experienced casters. Downstream access points like South Platte River #13A, Meadows Group Campground, and Lone Rock Campground give you more casual river fishing without the canyon's steep approach. If you prefer still water, Wellington Lake and Cheesman Lake are the two main lake options in the area, while Clay Creek Pond is a smaller, lower-pressure spot worth knowing about. The mix of river and lake fishing means you can put together a multi-day trip without repeating yourself, and campgrounds like Indian Creek Equestrian Campground and Lone Rock keep you close to the water. That said, this stretch of the South Platte gets real pressure on weekends, especially in summer, so timing and access planning matter more here than in more remote Colorado drainages.
Cheesman Canyon is rated expert difficulty. The canyon walls are steep, wading is technical, and the fish are heavily pressured and selective. If you're still building your fly fishing skills, the more open river access points like South Platte River #13A or Meadows Group Campground are better starting places before you commit to the canyon.
Brown trout and rainbow trout are the documented species in the Cheesman Canyon section of the South Platte River. The lake and pond listings — Wellington Lake, Cheesman Lake, and Clay Creek Pond — don't specify species in the available data, so check with Colorado Parks and Wildlife for current stocking information on those waters before you go.
Lone Rock Campground
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Manitou Lake Pavilion
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Cheesman Canyon - South Platte River
~11 min drive
Expert
Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area
~43 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Dream Stream - South Platte River
~46 min drive
Hard
Meadows Group Campground
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Painted Rocks
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Buffalo Campground
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Colorado Campground
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Indian Creek Equestrian Campground
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Pike Community
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Timberline Campground
~52 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Early morning before other anglers arrive is consistently productive on this stretch, which sees significant weekend pressure. On warm summer days, fish tend to move into faster, oxygenated water by midday, so early starts and late evenings are your best windows. In fall, midday can actually fish well as water temperatures rise into a comfortable range for trout activity.
Yes, a valid Colorado fishing license is required. The South Platte through Cheesman Canyon has historically carried special regulations including flies-and-lures-only and catch-and-release or slot-limit rules, but regulations can change season to season. Always verify the current rules directly with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before your trip rather than relying on what applied the previous year.
Yes. Meadows Group Campground, Lone Rock Campground, and Indian Creek Equestrian Campground all appear in the same access corridor as the river fishing listings, putting you within easy walking or driving distance of the water. Lone Rock in particular is a popular base for South Platte anglers. Reservations are strongly recommended for summer weekends, as these sites fill up.
