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Colorado lakes and reservoirs
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Cheesman Reservoir Fishing
A 894-acre Colorado reservoir in Jefferson County and Douglas County at 6,845 feet.
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Tarryall Reservoir: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Jefferson County
A quick portrait of Cheesman Reservoir
Measured from the CPW water layer, Cheesman Reservoir is a reservoir of some 894 acres in Jefferson County and Douglas County. Expect thin air: this water sits near 6,845 feet. The surrounding property is Cheesman Reservoir, per CPW. Westcreek is the nearest Census place to the shore, near 7 miles off. Fisheries staff of the CPW Northeast Region oversee it.
Craft permitted, per CPW: None. Atlas notes: medium to reach, medium pressure. On ice: ice fishing listed as no.
894acres
6,845feet elevation
0boat ramps
1atlas access points
The state posts a fish consumption advisory for Cheesman Reservoir: CDPHE advisory.
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Access
Ramp access for Cheesman Reservoir
For Cheesman Reservoir, the ramp layer is empty; nearby ramps are listed.
Mapped access at Cheesman Reservoir
- Cheesman Reservoir fishing access near Westcreekmedium access, stocked: sub-catchables, 6,845 ft
Boat ramps in reach of Cheesman Reservoir
- East Ramp on Tarryall ReservoirTarryall Reservoir, 17 miles west
- West Ramp on Tarryall ReservoirTarryall Reservoir, 18 miles west
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Water supply
Level telemetry for Cheesman Reservoir
51,079 acre-feetstorage, Cheesman Reservoir
Co. Division of Water Resources storage telemetry for Cheesman Reservoir (station CHERESCO), recorded October 25, 2026; retrieved October 25, 2026. Provisional data from CDSS.
Low storage at Cheesman Reservoir can leave ramps high and dry late in summer.
Limits
Limits a warden checks at Cheesman Reservoir
| Species | Bag and possession | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee) | Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Brook trout 8 inches or less (bonus) | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Kokanee salmon | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Walleye, saugeye and sauger | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White bass, striped bass and wiper | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Channel, flathead and blue catfish | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White and black crappie | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Bluegill and other sunfish | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Yellow perch | Daily bag 20, possession 20 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Tiger muskie | Daily bag 1, possession 1; at least 36 inches long | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Northern pike and bullhead | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
For the statewide limits chart, Cheesman Reservoir counts as east of the Continental Divide water. Unless listed in the brochure special regulations, Cheesman Reservoir follows the statewide chart.
Local fishing rules at Cheesman Reservoir
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| Cheesman Reservoir | Fishing prohibited Oct. 1–April 30. Fishing prohibited one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. Fishing prohibited on dam and around reservoir as posted. Ice fishing prohibited. Snagging kokanee permitted Sept. 1–30. | p. 14 |
Special regulations as printed in the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pp. 11 to 39, checked against CPW Chapter W-1 (as approved 13 November 2025); retrieved October 2026.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026.
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Nearby water compared with Cheesman Reservoir
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheesman Reservoir | 894 | 6,845 | 0 | ||
| Manitou Reservoir | 12 miles southeast | 16 | 7,739 | 0 | yes |
| Pine Valley Ranch Lake | 15 miles north | 5 | 6,870 | 0 | yes |
| Tarryall Reservoir | 18 miles west | 190 | 8,864 | 2 | yes |
| Strontia Springs Reservoir | 18 miles northeast | 84 | 6,018 | 0 | |
| Palmer Lake | 21 miles east | 13 | 7,232 | 0 | yes |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Nearby
Within a short drive of Cheesman Reservoir
Further reservoirs a short haul from Cheesman Reservoir
- Manitou Reservoir12 miles southeast
- Pine Valley Ranch Lake15 miles north
- Tarryall Reservoir18 miles west
- Strontia Springs Reservoir18 miles northeast
- Palmer Lake21 miles east
Tackle counters on the way to Cheesman Reservoir
- Flies & Liesbait and tackle shop, Sedalia, 5 miles
- 5280 Anglerfly shop, Sedalia, 10 miles
- Perfect Drift Fly Fishing Clubfly shop, Pine, 15 miles
- The Peak Fly Shopfly shop, Woodland Park, 19 miles
- South Platte Fly Shopfly shop, Woodland Park, 19 miles
- Native Fly Shop Incfly shop, Pine, 20 miles
Fishing outfitters by Cheesman Reservoir
- Blue Quill Anglers, Inc.fishing guide, Evergreen
- Coal Creek Anglers LLCfishing guide, Golden
- Colorado Canyon Anglers LLCfishing guide, Wheat Ridge
- JDM Fishing & Outdoor Adventures, LLCfishing guide, Parker
- Trout Tricks LLCfishing guide, Westminster
- Colorado Fly Fish, LLCfly fishing guide, Castle Rock
- Colorado Fly Fishingfly fishing guide, Broomfield, (970) 406-1538
- Heron Fly Fishing LLCfly fishing guide, Golden
Where to stay for a Cheesman Reservoir trip
- Woodland Park18 miles
- Palmer Lake21 miles
- Roxborough Park21 miles
Which county pages list Cheesman Reservoir
- Jefferson Countyseat: Golden
- Douglas Countyseat: Castle Rock
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In photos
A camera tour of the water by Cheesman Reservoir
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Lovemedead, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Michael, CC BY 2.0
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Answers
Straight answers about Cheesman Reservoir
Which CPW region covers Cheesman Reservoir?
The outline falls in Jefferson County and Douglas County, CPW Northeast Region, about 7 miles from Westcreek.
How many acres does the CPW outline give Cheesman Reservoir?
Around 894 acres of water, at about 6,845 feet.
Does Cheesman Reservoir have a CPW-mapped boat ramp?
None on file; see the nearby list.
Which fish does CPW list at Cheesman Reservoir?
The species field is blank.
Are there extra rules at Cheesman Reservoir?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate. It has its own brochure entry too, printed above.
Is a second-rod stamp needed at Cheesman Reservoir?
Everyone 16 and older needs a CPW fishing license: $44.87 a year for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents, or $18.07 for a resident one-day license.
Are catchable trout released into Cheesman Reservoir?
No catchable trout listing exists for it.
Is there a fly shop near Cheesman Reservoir?
Drive about 5 miles to Flies & Lies.
Is there a level gauge at Cheesman Reservoir?
Colorado Division of Water Resources telemetry report it; see above.
Is Cheesman Reservoir fished through the ice?
CPW shows ice fishing listed as no; carry picks and test thickness.
Circle a weekend for Cheesman Reservoir
Check the bag before a fish goes on the stringer.