Cheesman Reservoir

Fishers can expect to encounter northern pike, trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass and perch. While lake trout were stocked in the late nineties, there is no evidence that they currently exist in the reservoir. Access is walk-in only and fishing is limited to shore fishing.

Cheesman Reservoir, an impoundment on the South Platte River, is managed by Denver Water. Named for Denver water pioneer Walter S. Cheesman, the dam was the world’s tallest at 221 feet above the streambed when completed in 1905. Purchased in 1918 by Denver Water, Cheesman became the first reservoir of Denver’s mountain storage facilities. The dam has been designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Getting there: From Deckers, take County Road 126, 5 miles southwest, then turn south on Forest Road 211
Fees: None
Boating: None. Boating is prohibited
Ice Fishing: Prohibited
OHV: Prohibited