Cheesman Reservoir is located off of Highway 67 above the town of Deckers. It is flies and lures only with a slot limit of 2 trout 16 inches or longer. Species include: Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Brook trout, Northern pike, Kokanee salmon, Smallmouth bass, and Yellow perch. Fishing is only allowed on the North Edge of the lake and there is no camping permitted, no pets are allowed, and no boats.

Cheesman Reservoir Closed for 2011

March 14, 2011 - Cheesman Reservoir will be closed to visitors this year, as Denver Water completes essential upgrades to the dam, which was built in 1905. Upper and lower Gill Trail will remain open to hikers who want to access Cheesman Canyon throughout the closure period.

The reservoir has been closed to visitors since Jan. 1, 2010, during the first phase of the project, in which crews completed upgrades to valves inside the dam. Though the utility had planned to open the reservoir this spring, the amount of heavy equipment, site logistics and security needs for the second phase of valve upgrades necessitated a prolonged closure. Cheesman will reopen to visitors May 1, 2012.

“Completing this project is vital to maintaining dam safety, providing a viable water supply and ensuring smooth operations,” said Tom Roode, assistant chief of engineering. “Cheesman is more than 100 years old, and the underwater valves we are replacing were installed in 1905 and the late 1920s. We look forward to opening the reservoir to recreationists next year.”