Memorial Day Office Closure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed for the state holiday, Monday, May 25. To honor military members for their service CPW offers active duty military and veteran benefits to enjoy fishing, hunting and state parks.
State Park in Walden, CO
Hours:
Office: Summer - Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fall - Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Winter - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Wednesdays
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $12-$17
Animals Permitted:
Park Address:
56750 Highway 14
Walden, CO 80480
United States
State Park in Walden, CO
Hours:
Office: Summer - Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fall - Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Winter - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Wednesdays
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $12-$17
Animals Permitted:
Park Address:
56750 Highway 14
Walden, CO 80480
United States
Park Highlight
Our high-altitude alpine lakes are a wonderful hot-weather destination. Come fish in the lakes and boat on the reservoir.
Wake-less boating and fishing are allowed.
Fishing is allowed at the lakes, but boating and swimming is not. See specific fishing regulations by lake below.
Fishing is allowed at the lakes, but boating and swimming is not.
Reservoir Facilities
There are two boat ramps at the North Michigan Reservoir, each with a floating boat dock. Please don't jump off the boat docks.
There are two floating docks for fishing at the North Michigan Reservoir. Or check out the beautiful accessible fishing pier at Ranger Lakes.
Water Safety
Colorado waters are classified as "cold water" (anything under 70 degrees) for most of the year. Swimming in cold water risks cold water shock, which can lead to drowning even for strong, experienced swimmers.
The majority of swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking fatalities occur when people are not wearing a life jacket. By keeping you above water, life jackets can be a last line of defense that prevents a bad situation from getting far worse. Colorado law requires that all water vessels have appropriately sized life jackets readily accessible for every person on board.
Wake-less boats are allowed in the North Michigan Reservoir. No watercraft or swimming is allowed on Ranger Lakes or any of our high alpine lakes (Clear, Kelly, Jewel, Agnes).
State Forest State Park features brook, brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout. North Park Anglers and Red Feather Guides & Outfitters offer fishing trips.
Ice fishing in State Forest is excellent during the winter months. In the winter, ice fishing is allowed on our lakes, reservoirs and streams. Please use caution and check the ice thickness carefully. We do not check ice levels on a regular basis here at the park.
Hotspots
See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife awards anglers who catch big fish. Visit the Fishing Awards and Records page for more records.
Clean Your Gear: Fishing
Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out these videos to learn how to clean your fishing gear.
In the alpine lakes (Clear, Kelly, Jewel, Agnes), only artificial fly and lure fishing is permitted. Bag and possession limit for trout is two fish. Ranger Lakes is open to bait use. In the winter, ice fishing is allowed on the lakes. Please use caution and check the ice thickness carefully.
North Michigan Reservoir is open to bait use. Fly fishing is accessible and abundant along the Canadian River, and the North and Middle forks of the Michigan River. In the winter, ice fishing is allowed on the reservoir. Please use caution and check the ice thickness carefully.
Canoeing is only allowed on North Michigan Reservoir.
Kayaking is only allowed on North Michigan Reservoir.
Paddle boarding is only allowed on North Michigan Reservoir. Don't forget to bring your life jacket and dress for cold waters.
Come sail and enjoy the water at North Michigan Reservoir.
To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the boat ramp is required.
Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections. Although, the public is strongly encouraged to self-inspect their watercrafts, boots, waders, and fishing equipment by making sure that all equipment is clean, drained, and dry. For instructions, see Clean Your Gear.
Learn more about aquatic nuisance species.
Contact the park for inspection hours at 970-723-8366.
Mandatory Inspections and SealsAquatic nuisance species (ANS) are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, including zebra mussels, quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, Asian carp, rusty crayfish and more.
Stop the Spread of ANSRecreation in Colorado’s water could be impacted by the spread of invasive species in the water. Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are invasive species that damage bodies of water. This can have huge impacts on many of the industries and products we all know and love: wine, corn, beer, peaches, drinking water, outdoor recreation and many more. If you’re recreating in the water, you can be a Pain in the ANS — and stop the spread of invasive species.
Read up on the location you want to fish before you head out.
Download the BrochureHave a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the Brochure
