Arvada Reservoir

Location: West 66th Avenue north of Golden
Level of Difficulty: Easy, but can get choppy.
Fish Species: Stocker Trout, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Perch, Walleye, Crappie, Tiger Muskie, Channel Catfish
Season: April 1st to October 31st
Fee: $5 per car and $5 per boat ($10 total for car & kayak)
Other: Wakeless boating only.

Arvada Reservoir is an attractive impoundment with clear, cool water and pleasant views of the rolling foothills along Highway 93. With a maximum depth of over 75 feet, varied bottom structure, and a shore lined with fallen trees and sunken timber, the reservoir has a lot of potential for holding big fish. On top of all that, wakeless boating rules (electric motors only) make Arvada an obvious destination for kayak anglers.

The entrance is located on 66th Avenue (From Hwy 93, go east on 68th, which winds around and becomes 66th. You'll see it on the left.) The fee for a boat and kayak is $10 total (a little steep, in our opinion, compared to other, better fisheries.) With the recent concerns over zebra mussels, this year rangers are doing brief inspections of boats, so expect an extra five minutes at the gate. The boat launch consists of a small, floating dock and a concrete ramp scattered with gravel and rocks. Those who don't wish to scratch up their hulls any more than they have to might choose to wheel or carry their boats to the water, float them around to the end of the dock, and tie them off. This way you can go park your car and unload your gear at your leisure, leaving the ramp free for the larger boats that come and go.

(An Editorial Note: Though we don't want to encourage anyone to break rules, we have been known to launch our kayaks from the grassy, shallow area on the opposite end of the parking lot from the ramp if there's no one fishing there. Most boat ramps are generally crappy places to launch a kayak. Moreover, we hate holding up boat users who need the ramp when there are better places for us to launch. Just be aware you might get scolded by a ranger or ticketed if you get caught... but we've never been.)

Arvada Reservoir is heavily stocked with catchable trout, which probably account for most of the fish caught from the lake. Most fisherman at Arvada target these stockers, either by trolling crawler harnesses and spinners or by fishing bait from shore. However, there are bigger fish of other species that roam the lake's waters, particularly smallmouth bass.

Fifty yards or so out from the ramp the water drops off quickly. Smallmouths have been known to suspend along the dropoff, making it a good spot for a few casts on your way out and on your way back.

Across the lake from the boat ramp, the shoreline is fringed with sunken timber and, later in the season, weed beds. This area is worth exploring for bass, muskie and panfish. Unlike other front range reservoirs, Arvada offers a variety of bottom structure, with numerous points and dropoffs that can hold fish. A depth finder is very helpful in locating these spots.

The eastern shore of the reservoir consists of a rip rap/dam area that attracts smallmouths and walleye at different times of the season. Jigging along the rip rap can be effective. At either end of the rip rap are shallow flats that are worth checking out, especially toward the evening. Unfortunately, Arvada Reservoir closes at 8:30 PM (7:30 before May 1), putting a damper on what could otherwise be a solid night fishery. Still, in spite of the abbreviated hours, some anglers manage to pull large catfish and walleye from the lake.

Kayakers visiting Arvada Reservoir should be aware that the foothills winds can whip up some considerable chop. Be prepared to get splashed from time to time, and always wear your PFD.

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