Chatfield and Cherry Creek Reservoirs to open to boating on Friday, April 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Jason Clay
Northeast Region Public Information Officer
303-291-7234 / [email protected] 
@CPW_NE

DENVER - The two busiest state parks in the Denver Metro Area - Chatfield and Cherry Creek - have announced when their reservoirs will open to boating.

Chatfield State Park and Cherry Creek State Park are scheduled to open to boating on Friday, April 1, barring any unforeseen items that would cause a delay. Delays would include safety issues on the reservoirs that would need to be taken care of.

"Water temperatures will start off very cold as the ice has just finished melting,” said Cherry Creek State Park Manager Jason Trujillo. “All safety equipment needs to be inspected and accounted for prior to visiting the reservoirs. Personal floatation devices or “life jackets” are the most important pieces of equipment to keep you safe. We want you to wear it, as we have seen too many lives lost when boaters can’t get to them during an emergency.” 

At Chatfield, the park has two boat ramps but only the south one will be open initially. 

• The south boat ramp, located on the southeast side of the reservoir, has two launch lanes and one courtesy dock, will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• The north boat ramps, located on the northwest side of the reservoir, has eight launch lanes and four courtesy docks, and will remain closed. Opening will be announced when adequate staffing is available.

In April, Cherry Creek will only have one ramp open:

• The west boat ramp, which can be accessed by entering the park off S. Dayton St., is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• The east ramp opening will be announced when adequate staffing is available. 

As always, visitors are encouraged to monitor the park condition pages at www.cpw.state.co.us.

All motorized and/or trailered vessels are required to have an inspection for Aquatic Nuisance Species before launch. All power and sail boats are required to have valid 2022 registration and all vessels, including paddlecraft, must have the required safety equipment. Boating safety information is available through CPW’s website.  

Additional links to keep you safe and other good information:

• Required Safety Equipment

• Life Jacket Types

• Colorado Boating Rules

• Cold Weather Boating

 

Boating and fishing are among two of the most popular and anticipated activities at both parks.

Cherry Creek State Park is currently hosting walleye spawning operations along the dam. Because of that, anglers are not allowed to fish within 100 feet of spawning nets or the dams until April 15. That same regulation holds true for fishing along the dam at Chatfield. Although the spawning operation is not being held there this year, the regulation stays in place to protect the spawning walleye and that brood water fishery.

Walleye are the predominant fish species at both reservoirs.

Cherry Creek is also home to black crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, rainbow trout and wiper. Anglers at Chatfield also target its bluegill, channel catfish, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and yellow perch populations.

For more detailed information on fishing at Cherry Creek and Chatfield, please see the two fish survey summaries of both reservoirs:

• Chatfield Reservoir

• Cherry Creek Reservoir