Reservoir · Denver Metro
Sloans Lake
Real chop. Fish stack hard on the bank taking the wind, so cast with it at your back into the shore break.
Gusting to 16 mph.
A float tube will drift — anchor or plan to kick back upwind.
Wind reading Aug 2, 9:15 PM MDT. Source: National Weather Service.
Seasonal notes
Sloan's Lake is Denver's largest city park lake and one of the most urban walk-up trout fisheries in Colorado — 177 acres of water ringed by a 2.6-mile paved path, surrounded by the Edgewater and West Colfax neighborhoods. CPW stocks rainbow trout in spring and autumn, and the fishing can be surprisingly productive shortly after stocking events when fish are still adjusting to the lake. The resident population includes largemouth bass, carp, and bluegill in addition to trout. Bank anglers line the eastern shore near the boat ramp using PowerBait, salmon eggs, and small spinners; fly anglers do best working the deeper water off the south bank with sink-tip lines and streamer patterns. The lake is best in late October and November when cooler water concentrates recent-stock trout near the inlet on the north side.
What’s hatching
CallibaetisFairMay–SepIn season — nothing pushing it either way
Best: calm mornings
Leeches & BaitfishIn seasonYear-roundIn season — this one isn't tied to the day's conditions
Best: deeper water off the south bank
Confidence is graded from live National Weather Service conditions and gage flow as of Aug 2, 9:15 PM MDT. Time of day is left to you — check the “Best” line above.
What changed this week
- Emergency Closure posted Aug 1
Weather
Air temp
90°F
Wind
11mph
Precip
0%
Gusting to 16 mph.
1015 mb ↑ · Partly Cloudy
Latest Stocking
Last stocked Apr 3
Special regulations
Sloan's Lake is a Denver city park with free public access and no park entry fee. A standard Colorado state fishing license is all that's required. Standard Colorado statewide regulations apply — all legal gear and methods for trout. No gas motors; non-motorized and electric watercraft only. The path around the lake is heavily used by joggers, cyclists, and dog walkers, so be mindful of casting room, particularly on weekends.
Quick ref: Denver city park; stocked trout; urban walk-up fishery
Location
Nearby waters
Nearby fly shops
Get Sloan's Lake conditions every Thursday
Flow, the go/no-go call, CPW stocking and closure notices for Sloan's Lake — one email, Thursday morning. Sign up and we'll send this week's report right now.