Winter Fishing: The South Platte
Waterton Canyon

by K. Christopherson

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It's winter and most of the smaller rivers are iced up. You're dying to go fishing, and don't want to travel half way across the state. Feel like walking or biking through the snow and tempting some challenging angling? Try Waterton Canyon.

The South Platte River merges with its North Fork at the west entrance to Waterton Canyon. Here the river is accessible by foot or mountain bike - there is a parking lot across from the old South Platte Hotel on Hwy 67 north of Deckers. The trail follows the grade of the narrow gauge tracks (now removed). This track was laid in 1876 for the Denver South Park and Pacific rail line, running from Denver to South Park and Leadville to service the mining camps. However, on weekends it was popular with Denver anglers offering access to world-class fishing in the 1870's.

You can also access Waterton Canyon from the east. Drive south on Wadsworth Blvd (Hwy 121), south of C-470. The road turns at Kassler where there is a large parking area. From here, you can bike or hike into the canyon. The path is wide and reasonably flat.

waterton trail Looking west at Waterton

You can start fishing almost immediately. In the winter, the trick is finding the areas which are at least partially ice-free. Be careful walking on the ice - potential exists for slipping or breaking thru the ice. Bring your waders so you can get out in the river and make casting easier.

To find less crowds, good pools and small tailwaters, hike or bike up the canyon. A mountain bike works well, as it is 6.2 miles from Kassler to Strontia Springs Reservoir. However, there are good areas to fish before Strontia Springs. The fishing improves at the Marston Diversion Dam which is 3.3 miles from the Kassler trailhead.

No dogs are allowed in the canyon because of the Big Horn sheep habitat. Up to 35 sheep live in the canyon - nice to look at, but please refrain from chasing or scaring them.

Remember that the object of this exercise is to get some fishing in, not necessarily catch fish. This is a tough stretch of water to fish, even in summer. Winter means using nymphs, and trying to attract fish that aren't really interested in what you have to offer. Occasional hatches may provide an opportunity to throw a small dry on top.

winter fishing

Because the hiking is easy, and there is good wildlife viewing, this area is a good place to bring the kids. There are picnic tables along the route where you can rest. Maybe it's time to teach junior how to use that fly rod.

kids Learning to flyfish

How to get there?

West entrance
East entrance

Resources:

Buy an ebook on CD: Fifty Colorado Tailwaters: A Fly Fisher's Guide
Click here for info or to purchase. Includes Waterton Canyon

Click here to buy the fishing access map and guide for the South Platte River.

Click here to buy a topo map for this area. You need map 135 for the South Platte from Cheesman Res. to Chatfield Res.

Rules: