.sf-co{–ink:#1C1F22;–deep:#43484D;–teal:#563A86;–mist:#F1F0EC;–foam:#FAFAF8;–lure:#F2C14E;–lure-ink:#3A2A00;–line:#DEDCD5;–muted:#4E5257}.sf-co .sf-hero{background-color:#43484D;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 500px at 4% 100%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),radial-gradient(720px 440px at 96% 0%,rgba(244,246,250,.22),rgba(244,246,250,0) 60%),linear-gradient(160deg,#5A5F64,#43484D 46%,#1E2124);clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 30px),93% calc(100% – 58px),86% calc(100% – 26px),79% calc(100% – 50px),71% calc(100% – 12px),62% calc(100% – 46px),55% calc(100% – 20px),46% calc(100% – 62px),37% calc(100% – 18px),29% calc(100% – 40px),21% calc(100% – 8px),12% calc(100% – 44px),5% calc(100% – 22px),0 calc(100% – 36px));padding-bottom:92px}.sf-co .sf-hero::before{background:linear-gradient(80deg,rgba(28,31,34,.86) 0%,rgba(28,31,34,.56) 50%,rgba(28,31,34,.30) 100%)}.sf-co .sf-eyebrow{border-radius:3px;background:#1C1F22;color:#FBE7B4;border-bottom:3px solid #F2C14E;padding:5px 13px 3px;letter-spacing:.09em}.sf-co .sf-hero .sf-sub{color:#F1F1EE}.sf-co .sf-hero .sf-credit{background:rgba(17,19,21,.64);padding:3px 9px;border-radius:3px;color:#F1F1EE}.sf-co .sf-hero[style*=”background-image”]::before{background:linear-gradient(98deg,rgba(28,31,34,.90) 0%,rgba(28,31,34,.66) 46%,rgba(67,72,77,.32) 80%,rgba(67,72,77,.16) 100%),linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(18,20,22,.72),rgba(18,20,22,0) 50%)}.sf-co .sf-bar{background-color:#1C1F22;background-image:radial-gradient(560px 230px at 4% 100%,rgba(242,193,78,.22),rgba(242,193,78,0)),linear-gradient(100deg,#1C1F22 40%,#4A4F55)}.sf-co .sf-bar p{color:#E8E8E4}.sf-co .sf-band–white,.sf-co .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-color:#fff;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 4% 8%,rgba(86,58,134,.10),rgba(86,58,134,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 96% 94%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),radial-gradient(640px 400px at 50% 50%,rgba(222,220,213,.30),rgba(222,220,213,0) 62%),linear-gradient(135deg,#FFFFFF,#FAFAF7,#EFEEE8)}.sf-co .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 96% 8%,rgba(86,58,134,.10),rgba(86,58,134,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 4% 94%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),linear-gradient(225deg,#FFFFFF,#FAFAF7,#EFEEE8)}.sf-co .sf-band–mist{background-color:#F1F0EC;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 520px at 8% 8%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 64%),radial-gradient(720px 460px at 92% 94%,rgba(86,58,134,.12),rgba(86,58,134,0) 62%),linear-gradient(160deg,#F7F6F2,#F1F0EC,#E4E2DA)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep,.sf-co .sf-band–ink{color:#F1F1EE}.sf-co .sf-band–deep{background-color:#3D4247;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 92% 6%,rgba(244,246,250,.10),rgba(244,246,250,0) 62%),radial-gradient(800px 500px at 6% 94%,rgba(242,193,78,.16),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#4C5156,#3D4247,#272A2D)}.sf-co .sf-band–ink{background-color:#1C1F22;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 8% 6%,rgba(86,58,134,.34),rgba(86,58,134,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 480px at 94% 96%,rgba(242,193,78,.12),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#272A2E,#1C1F22,#111315)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-src,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-src{color:#DADAD5}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-head p,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-head p,.sf-co .sf-cta p{color:#E9E9E5}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-card p,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-card p,.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-fact span,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-fact span{color:#E4E4E0}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-list li span,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-list li span{color:#E9E9E5}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–mist .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–white .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn){color:#4A2F78}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–mist .sf-list li>span,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–white .sf-list li>span{color:#4B4F54}.sf-co .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#563A86,#9A86C2)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-barrow .t,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#D9A22E,#F2C14E)}.sf-co .sf-pill{background:#ECE8F3;color:#2E2346}.sf-co .sf-btn:hover{background:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-card-img,.sf-co .sf-tile{background-color:#43484D}.sf-co .sf-q p{color:#2E3135}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-kicker,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-kicker,.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-fact b,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-fact b{color:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-kicker{color:#563A86}.sf-co .sf-pf-card h3{color:#1C1F22!important}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-btn–ghost,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-btn–ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.48);background:rgba(17,19,21,.38)}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-tablewrap{color:#1C1F22;border-color:#DEDCD5}.sf-co .sf-table td{color:#1C1F22}.sf-co .sf-table th{background:#43484D;color:#fff}.sf-co .sf-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#F5F4F0}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-tablewrap a,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#4A2F78}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-q,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-q{background:rgba(255,255,255,.07);border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.18)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-q p,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-q p{color:#ECECE8}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-q h3,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-q h3{color:#FFFFFF}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-pill a{color:#4A2F78}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-card .sf-more,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-card .sf-more{color:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-bar .sf-crumbs,.sf-co .sf-bar .sf-crumbs span,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-bar .sf-crumbs a{color:#FFFFFF}.sf-co .sf-note{color:#1C1F22}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-note a{color:#4A2F78}@media (max-width:760px){.sf-co .sf-hero{clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 18px),88% calc(100% – 34px),76% calc(100% – 12px),62% calc(100% – 32px),50% calc(100% – 6px),37% calc(100% – 30px),24% calc(100% – 10px),12% calc(100% – 28px),0 calc(100% – 14px));padding-bottom:62px}}
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 $79.99
Standley Lake 14 mi
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0 
Lake Granby 31 mi
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 
Gross Reservoir 6.1 mi
Photo: SOTMUS, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Grand Lake 32 mi
Photo: Muttnick, CC BY-SA 4.0
Colorado trout streams
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 $79.99
Boulder Creek Fishing
Special regulation water in Boulder County.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Standley Lake: Akijione, CC BY-SA 3.0
Colorado streams
The Boulder Creek at a glance
Through Boulder County runs the Boulder Creek, a stream CPW manages for anglers. Pine Brook Hill lies near 2 miles from the channel.
About 4.7 miles in 1 reach fall under special regulations. Anglers reach it on Eben G. Fine Park and Roosevelt National Forest. There are 2 mapped fishing locations on the atlas.
1counties
4.7regulated miles
0USGS gauges
2atlas access points
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (special-regulation, Gold Medal and fishing location layers), NHD flowlines, Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Special regulations
Reaches of the Boulder Creek with their own rules
| Reach | Miles | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder Kid's Pond inlet / Boulder Kid's Pond outlet / Upper end of Eben Fine Park (within the City Limits of Boulder) / 55th St | 4.68 | see the brochure entry |
Each regulated stretch of the Boulder Creek has the tackle or harvest rule shown, or the one printed in the brochure.
Brochure entries for the Boulder Creek
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| From the upper end of Eben Fine Park (within Boulder city limits) downstream to 55th Street: | Artificial flies and lures only. Trout must be returned to water immediately. | p. 13 |
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.
CPW special fishing regulation and Quality Waters layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Public access
Walk-in water on the Boulder Creek
- Eben G. Fine Parkpublic property
- Roosevelt National ForestNational Forest
Much Colorado stream frontage is private; on the Boulder Creek, fish from the properties listed and respect posted boundaries.
CPW Fishing Atlas fishing location property names and Quality Waters access notes, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Access
Reaching the banks of the Boulder Creek
Where anglers start on the Boulder Creek
- Boulder Creek fishing access near Pine Brook Hilleasy access, 5,400 ft
- Boulder Creek fishing access near Sugarloafmedium access, 6,509 ft
When the Boulder Creek ramp is crowded
- Boulder City Reservoir boat rampBoulder City Reservoir, 6 miles
- Standley Lake boat rampStandley Lake, 13 miles
- Arvada Reservoir boat rampArvada Reservoir, 14 miles
- Saint Vrain State Park on St. Vrain State Park Blue HeronSt. Vrain State Park Blue Heron, 19 miles
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, USGS gauges, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits
Limits a warden checks on the Boulder Creek
| 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 |
| Channel, flathead and blue catfish | Daily bag 10, possession 10, 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 |
| Northern pike and bullhead | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
Drainage matters for walleye, wiper and perch limits; the Boulder Creek sits east of the Continental Divide. The chart is the baseline on the Boulder Creek; brochure entries can tighten it.
Colorado sells no separate trout stamp; a CPW fishing license covers trout ($44.87 for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents), and anglers 16 and older need one.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026. All Colorado limits.
Nearby
The ground surrounding the Boulder Creek
Other reservoirs within a drive of the Boulder Creek
- Wonderland Lake3 miles
- Viele Lake4 miles
- KOA Lake – Boulder4 miles
- Boulder Ponds4 miles
Where to buy line and lures near the Boulder Creek
- Stoney River Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Boulder, under a mile
- Rocky Mountain Anglersfly shop, Boulder, 1 mile
- Front Range Anglersfly shop, Boulder, 2 miles
- Fly shopfly shop, Boulder, 2 miles
- Angler's Productsfly shop, Boulder, 4 miles
Outfitters who fish the Boulder Creek
- Arbor Anglersfishing guide, Lafayette, (303) 562-7202
- Front Range Anglersfishing guide, Boulder, (303) 494-1375
- Flatirons Fly Shop, Inc.fly fishing guide, Boulder
- Laughing Grizzly Fly Shop, Inc.fly fishing guide, Longmont
Beds and gas close to the Boulder Creek
- Boulder2 miles
- Gunbarrel7 miles
- Louisville9 miles
- Superior9 miles
Colorado rivers close to the Boulder Creek
- South Boulder Creek5 miles
- Left Hand Creek13 miles
- Ralston Creek14 miles
- Middle Saint Vrain Creek14 miles
County guides that cover the Boulder Creek
Piscifun
Piscifun tackle sized for the Boulder Creek
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
In photos
Photo views of fishing water near Boulder Creek
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: SOTMUS, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Muttnick, CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers
Before you drive to the Boulder Creek, read these
Where does the Boulder Creek run?
Look in Boulder County.
Does CPW treat the Boulder Creek as trout water worth the drive?
Special rules cover 1 reach.
What did the newest USGS reading on the Boulder Creek say?
No live USGS station on our list covers it.
Where can I wade the Boulder Creek legally?
CPW lists Eben G. Fine Park and Roosevelt National Forest.
Is the Boulder Creek catch and release?
Reach rules cover 1 reach. From the brochure: Artificial flies and lures only. Trout must be returned to water immediately.
Does Colorado sell a trout stamp for the Boulder Creek?
Colorado sells no separate trout stamp; a CPW fishing license covers trout ($44.87 for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents), and anglers 16 and older need one.
Which tackle counter on our Colorado list is nearest the Boulder Creek?
Stoney River Outfitters sits under a mile away.
Which fish does CPW place in the Boulder Creek?
No CPW listing names its fish.
What town sits by the Boulder Creek?
Pine Brook Hill is nearest, some 2 miles off.
Fish a few runs of the Boulder Creek
Look at the flow band and limits, then go.