Fishing Report For Chatfield Reservoir, CO

At Chatfield State Park

By Rick Seaman

January 14, 2025

Popular Fish Species Reports
Chatfield Reservoir Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing License
Map
Contact Info

Fishing Report Chatfield Reservoir, CO

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Chatfield Reservoir, CO

Rainbow Trout

Current Report: Good To Very Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

On-going stocking of rainbow trout into Chatfield Reservoir is helping to maintain a decent rainbow fishery. Salmon eggs, nightcrawlers and mealworms are popular baits, especially for newly stocked trout. Anglers chasing the larger rainbows report good success using Mepps Spinners, Rooster Tail Spinners, and Panther Martin Spinners.

Walleye

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Fair To Good

Most walleye stocked into Chatfield Reservoir are fingerlings, which flourish and grow to catchable size in the lake. Locals report good success on jigs and spinners tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers. My preference for catching walleye is trolling with deep-diving crankbaits, like the Bandit, around flats and ledges.

Smallmouth Bass

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good

Local smallmouth anglers report catching good numbers of smallies using tube baits. Rocky and gravel banks are ideal as crawfish live in these areas. Smallmouth favor crawfish over baitfish for the added nutritional value. Tube baits imitate small crawfish. Drop-shot worms, spoons, jigs and crankbaits reportedly catch plenty of smallmouth here.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill and yellow perch at Chatfield Reservoir in Colorado.

Chatfield Reservoir, just outside Denver has over 1,500 surface acres and over 25 miles of shoreline. Hiking paths around the lake provide accessibility to multiple sections of the lake for bank fishing. Chatfield Reservoir supports a variety of fish species, including trout, walleye, bass, catfish, and crappie.

Primary fish species to catch

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.

Marinas

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

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Fishing License

Click here for a Colorado fishing license.

Map - Fishing & Access

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".