Arapahoe County, CO · Reservoir
Cherry Creek Reservoir
An 880-acre reservoir inside Cherry Creek State Park on Denver's southeast side. A heavily fished metro walleye fishery (a state-record walleye water) that also holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and yellow perch.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie & Channel Catfish — tied at the top (43/100)
5 species tied for best of 6 tracked at Cherry Creek Reservoir.
Air Quality Alert issued June 5 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Cherry Creek Reservoir
6 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 5 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Walleye Marginal conditions for Walleye. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Daily creel
- 5
Statewide: 5/day, 5 in possession. Several Front Range reservoirs are more restrictive (an 18" minimum).
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#1 Largemouth Bass Marginal conditions for Largemouth Bass. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 5
Largemouth and smallmouth in aggregate: 5/day, 15" minimum statewide.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#1 Smallmouth Bass Marginal conditions for Smallmouth Bass. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 5
Largemouth and smallmouth in aggregate: 5/day, 15" minimum east of the Continental Divide; smallmouth are unlimited west of the Divide.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#1 Crappie Marginal conditions for Crappie. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 20
Black and white crappie in aggregate: 20/day, 20 in possession.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#1 Channel Catfish Marginal conditions for Channel Catfish. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 10
Channel, blue, and flathead catfish in aggregate: 10/day, 10 in possession.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#6 Yellow Perch Marginal conditions for Yellow Perch. In season 37/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — yellow perch prefers slack tide
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Perca flavescens — Late-winter and early-spring favorite. Schools up in tidal tributaries for the pre-spawn run in February and March, taking small minnows, shad darts, and small jigs. A classic Eastern Shore "neds" fishery.
Prefers. Water 45–70°F (ideal 58°F) · slack tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 20
20/day east of the Continental Divide; unlimited west of the Divide.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Colorado non-tidal
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Cherry Creek Reservoir: Colorado Parks & Wildlife fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Cherry Creek Reservoir?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Cherry Creek Reservoir you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Cherry Creek Reservoir?
Cherry Creek Reservoir is listed on this site for 6 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, and 2 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Cherry Creek Reservoir?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Cherry Creek Reservoir against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Cherry Creek Reservoir have?
Cherry Creek Reservoir has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Cherry Creek Reservoir?
state agency regulations apply at Cherry Creek Reservoir. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Cherry Creek Reservoir tidal water?
No. Cherry Creek Reservoir is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.