Along Colorado’s Front Range in the summer, anglers of all levels gear up to fish in creeks and streams. The area around Littleton offers a variety of lakes and reservoirs teeming with fish. With a few tips from local experts, anyone can fish in the city this summer.
Local fly shop Anglers All has been serving the Littleton fishing community for 71 years and has become a staple for anglers of all skills. Blake Katchur has been working as an e-commerce manager at the shop since 2015 but has been a customer of Anglers All since childhood.
Katchur has traveled across the world to fly fish. One of his favorite spots is in southern Chile.
“A lot of people that might start fly fishing here in Colorado and learn how to trout-fish and become more passionate and advance their skills often dream of fishing for trout in South America or transitioning to saltwater fishing,” Katchure said. “It’s a lot like if you’re a dedicated skier, you dream of skiing in Japan or skiing in the Alps of Europe. The progression is similar.”
While fly fishing and general fishing, also known as spin and bait fishing, are not the same — fly fishing uses lightweight artificial flies and specialized casting techniques to mimic insects for fish, while spin fishing relies on heavier lures or bait and simpler casting, according to Katchur — both can fish in the same areas.
“Another big difference between traditional fishing and fly fishing is that the fly, or the lure, is so lightweight that you’re casting the fly line and the fly follows. Whereas with a traditional spin fishing or fishing with even with a bobber and a worm, the weight is in the worm or the bobber and you cast that and the line follows. So, the casting stroke is a lot different,” Katchur said.
Popular fishing spots near Littleton
- Chatfield Reservoir: One of the largest and most popular fishing locations near Littleton, Chatfield Reservoir spans 1,389 acres and is renowned for its healthy populations of largemouth bass, walleye, and rainbow trout. The reservoir also supports smallmouth bass and common carp. The South Platte River below Chatfield Reservoir is a notable spot for fly fishing, especially in the spring and summer.
- South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center: Equipped with a fishing pier and five fishable lakes, the South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center is populated with small-mouth bass and trout.
- Grasmere Lake: Known for largemouth bass, this private lake attracts anglers looking for a peaceful fishing experience close to town.
- Clear Creek Reservoir, McLellan Reservoir, Johnson Reservoir, Marston Lake, Harriman Lake, Ward Reservoir, and Hine Lake: These lakes, all within a short drive of Littleton, offer a range of fishing experiences and species, including trout, bass, and panfish.
The most common fish around Littleton are warm-water fish like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, common carp and walleye. Rainbow trout is also popular but tends to populate cooler-temperature waters.
Fishing tips
For those who are new to fishing this summer, Katchur advises the following:
- Timing: Depending on the species, fishing is often best during a warm and bright day, as some fish tend to feed more actively during daylight hours. However, for trout, Katchur said, fishing might be best to do in the mornings or evenings when temperatures have cooled down.
- Resources: Littleton is home to several fly shops, including Anglers All, which can provide local insight and basic beginner gear and even hosts courses throughout the summer.
- Keep it simple: “Let your nearest fly shop help you focus on some select flies and fish one fly at a time and work on your basics of casting and knots,” Katchur said.
In addition to nailing the basics, Katchur also said ensuring that fishers have the appropriate fishing license and abide by local regulations is most important, as fishing rules can vary by lake and species.
“Don’t be afraid to come in and ask a lot of questions, we’re here to help and we’re excited to get people out fishing,” Katchur said.