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Fishing on Open Space
Angler

Fishing on Open Space

Cattail Pond at Boulder County Fairgrounds

Cattail Pond at Fairgrounds

  • Open exclusively to kids 15 and under (fishing license is not needed for youth 15 and under)
  • Bluegill (limit 10) and Channel Catfish (limit 5)
  • Artificial and live bait permitted
  • Bank fishing only
Pella Crossing

Pella Crossing

  • Bluegill (limit 20), Black crappie (limit 20), Channel Catfish (limit 10), Yellow Perch (limit 20), Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass (catch & release)
  • Artificial flies and lures only
  • Portable boats and float tubes permitted (except at Webster Pond where no fishing is allowed)
Rogers Park along Boulder Creek

Boulder Creek & Rogers Park

  • Rainbow Trout (limit 4)
  • Artificial and live bait permitted
  • Stream fishing
South Boulder Creek Walker Ranch

South Boulder Creek at Walker Ranch

  • Rainbow Trout (limit 4)
  • Artificial and live bait permitted
  • Stream fishing
Wally Toevs Pond

Wally Toevs at Walden Ponds

  • Open exclusively to people 65 years and older, people with disabilities, and their youth companions who are 15 years or younger
  • Fishing pier and restrooms are ADA accessible
  • Bluegill (limit 20), Rainbow Trout (limit 4), Largemouth Bass (limit 5 over 15″)
  • Artificial and live bait permitted
  • No boats or float tubes
Duck Pond at Walden Ponds

Other Ponds at Walden Ponds

  • Fishing is not allowed at Cottonwood Marsh
  • Bluegill (limit 20), Channel Catfish (limit 10), Largemouth Bass (catch and release)
  • Artificial flies and lures only
  • No boats or float tubes
Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm

Stearns Lake at Carolyn Holmberg Preserve

  • Bluegill (limit 20), Channel Catfish (limit 10), Tiger Muskie (limit 1 of 36” or larger), Largemouth Bass (limit 5 over 15″)
  • Artificial and live bait permitted
  • No boats or float tubes

Additional Resources

Fishing Atlas Interactive Map
Looking for more places to fish? Check out the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Fishing Atlas.

Brochures

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are 16 years or older, you need a Colorado Fishing License to fish. You can purchase one online or in person at a retailer.

Colorado has a Free Fishing Weekend the first full weekend of June every year. Anglers of all ages can fish without a license anywhere in the state that weekend.

Live bait is anything that is organic, moldable, or scented. Power bait/Gulp, dough balls, live/dead fish/minnows, shrimp, crayfish, grasshoppers, cheese, chicken livers, scented lures, salmon eggs, fireballs, worms, corn and stink bait are all considered live bait. Generally, live bait is permitted in locations that are stocked by the Division of Wildlife. Self-sustaining populations (not stocked) require the use of artificial flies and lures only to better ensure a healthy, reproducing population.

Catch-and-release is a method of conservation. Unless you are absolutely sure you are going to eat your fish, you should release it. By practicing catch-and-release, you are allowing the fish to grow and reproduce.

Yes. Whether you are a fish or a human, stress can have negative impacts. A stressed fish has a smaller chance of survival if returned to the water. Follow these tips to ensure a fish has a greater chance of surviving and getting caught another day:

  • Do not play a fish to exhaustion. Reel it in quickly.
  • Use artificial lures made of hard plastic, metal, or artificial flies. Fish tend to swallow live bait and the hook becomes embedded in the fish’s throat. Hooks used with artificial tackle are often smaller and cause less injury to a fish.
  • Use barbless hooks or bend the barbs down with pliers.
  • Do not use treble hooks.
  • If a fish has swallowed the hook, do not pull it out. Either cut the hook with needlenose pliers/cutters removing both ends, or cut the line as close to the fish’s mouth as possible, leaving the hook in the fish.
  • When removing a hook, do not squeeze the fish or put your fingers in its gills.
  • Handle a fish as little as possible. If you need to handle a fish, do it in the water. The longer a fish is out of water, the more damage occurs to its protective, slimy covering.
  • To release the fish hold it gently in the water. You may need to move it back and forth gently so it can gain its equilibrium.

Large and Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Tiger Muskie, Walleye, Bluegill, and Rainbow Trout.

Float tubes, belly boats, and kick boats are all more or less the same thing. Some have two pontoons with a harness-like seat in-between, others are doughnut shaped, while others are U or V shaped. What they all have in common is that they are single-occupancy, non-motorized flotation devices.

Any watercraft that is not intended for fishing is prohibited on all open space properties except for Lagerman Reservoir. There, motorized boats up to 7.5 hp at wakeless speeds are permitted.

Swimming is prohibited at all open space properties.

The Cattail Pond at the Fairgrounds is a great place to learn. It is open exclusively to kids 15 and under. No fishing license is needed until they turn 16. Both artificial and live bait are permitted.

If you are a senior and want to take a grandchild fishing, Wally Toevs Pond at Walden Ponds is stocked with rainbow trout. Wally Toevs is open exclusively to people 64 years and older and their youth companions who are 15 years and under. Artificial and live bait are permitted.

Several Kids Fishing Clinics are held throughout the summer. Check the Hikes & Events Calendar for details.

South Boulder Creek at Walker Ranch has great fly fishing, as does Boulder Creek at Rogers Park.

Ice fishing is not permitted at any open space property.

Contact Us

Parks & Open Space

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday

Office Location

5201 St. Vrain Road
Longmont, CO 80503
Map and Directions
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Thursday
Friday by phone, email, or appointment only.

Parks are open sunrise to sunset