Chalk Cliffs Rearing Unit
Facility Type:
Hours:
Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
22605 County Rd 287
Nathrop, CO 81236
United States
Chalk Cliffs Rearing Unit
Facility Type:
Hours:
Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
22605 County Rd 287
Nathrop, CO 81236
United States
Chalk Cliffs Trout Rearing Unit
The mission of Chalk Cliffs Trout Rearing Unit is to provide catchable trout to waters throughout the Front Range and Eastern Plains of Colorado. Our stocking area reaches from Loveland to Trinidad, and out to the Kansas border.
“Catchable” trout refers to 10-inch-long trout that provide immediate recreation opportunities. We stock ponds and lakes that are open to the public. Chalk Cliffs produces about 700,000 ten-inch trout per year. Our stocking season starts in January and stays very busy from mid February until mid June, when the water temperatures in most waters get too warm to stock trout. We resume stocking in late September once waters cool down from summer temperatures, and continue through December.
Aerial view of Chalk Cliffs Trout Rearing Unit.
Visitors Welcome!
- Self-guided tours during the school year
- Information kiosk
- Volunteer hosts, during the summer, answer questions and offer guided tours, if desired
- Posters and pamphlets available when volunteers are on duty
- 'Feed the Fish' fish food dispensers
Fingerling trout in the water.
Plan Your Trip
Chalk Cliffs Trout Rearing Unit is open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the year. We have hosts on-site staffing the visitor center from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Twenty-five-cent fish feed dispensers are available all year, but during the summer, our hosts will be happy to hand out buckets of fish food. Please park in the visitor parking lot and leave your pets and fishing gear in your vehicle.
Your Fishin’ Is Our Mission!
Colorado’s Fish Stocking Program
Since 1881, Colorado Parks & Wildlife fish hatcheries have been dedicated to improving the fish populations of our beautiful state. Today, CPW operates 19 hatcheries that breed, hatch, rear and stock over 90 million fish per year. Many of the fish produced are to enhance angling opportunities, while others serve a critical role in native species recovery efforts. Colorado fish hatcheries support our angling pastime, which contributes 2.4 billion dollars annually to our state's economy!