What are CPW’s Quality Waters?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is excited to announce a new category of fishable waters that our talented team of fish management biologists has identified and nominated based on their fish sampling records, creel surveys, and professional biological assessments. The list is called Colorado Quality Waters.
CPW’s List of Quality Waters includes lakes and streams that contain productive, quality fisheries with public access and are fishable by most angling methods. The waters may have been nominated for one species or a whole suite of species. We encourage anglers to use the Quality Waters List and plan a trip to hook into their next big fish!
Featured Waters: St Vrain Ponds
Location: Weld County / St. Vrain State Park / 40.167931, -104.990701
Size: 236 acres of water across 8 ponds
Management: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Office Phone: 303-678-9402
Facilities: Restrooms / Showers / Picnic Tables / 87 Campsites
Fishing: Warm and Cold Water
Recreation: Camping / Boating / Kayaking / Paddleboarding / Hiking / Wildlife Viewing
General Information
Discover the charm of St. Vrain State Park, a hidden gem tucked along the Front Range just east of Longmont. With its glassy ponds and wide-open skies, this retreat is ideal for families, wildlife viewers, and campers alike. Anglers can try their luck with 12 different species of fish — including bass, trout, crappie, catfish, and bluegill — making it one of the most diverse warm-water fisheries in the region. Easy walking trails loop through cottonwoods and around quiet wetlands, perfect for birdwatching or an afternoon stroll. Whether you’re casting a line, spotting wildlife, or unwinding by the water, St. Vrain offers a peaceful escape close to home.
The Quality Waters fishing opportunities at St. Vrain State Park include Bald Eagle, Blue Heron, Coot, Mallard, Pelican, Pintail, Red Tail, and Sandpiper waters. These ponds offer a variety of angling opportunities all in a single location. Each pond really has something different to offer. Anglers will find quality fishing for walleye, trophy catch and release fishing for largemouth bass, and an opportunity to catch a northern pike. The ponds offer an exceptional opportunity for families and new anglers (panfish and catchable trout). And in winter there are great ice fishing opportunities. The St Vrain State Park staff is quite incredible, with a breadth of fishing knowledge, and are always willing to provide guidance for visitors.
Accessible fishing piers are available at Pelican and Sandpiper Ponds, while all six trails are ADA accessible.
If you’re a beginner angler looking for pointers to reel in some lake trout, check out this Colorado Outdoors article.
To access this area for fishing, individuals aged 16 or older must possess a valid license. These can be obtained through CPW authorized sales agents, via phone (1-800-244-5613), or online at CPWShop.
Bald Eagle Pond
Acres: 14.5
Bald Eagle Pond is managed as a trophy largemouth bass fishery. All bass must be returned to the water immediately. Bait fishing is not permitted. To boost growth rates, this pond also receives thousands of bluegill. Anglers may keep species other than bass (general regulations apply), provided such fish are caught using artificial flies or lures.
Species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, green sunfish, yellow perch
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. Scented flies or scented lures may be used on this water if they are 1.5 inches or longer.
- All largemouth and smallmouth bass must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
Blue Heron Pond
Acres: 82.0
Blue Heron Pond has excellent largemouth bass, great for walleye/saugeye, channel catfish, crappie, and redear sunfish. This is the largest water on the park and trailered boats can launch.
Species: Largemouth bass, walleye, saugeye, channel catfish, crappie, redear sunfish
Special Regulations
- All largemouth and smallmouth bass must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
- Only one channel catfish in bag or possession may be greater than 20 inches.
Coot Pond
Acres: 8.0
Coot Pond is great for seasonal trout, crappie, and walleye.
Species: Rainbow trout, crappie, walleye
Special Regulations: None
Mallard Pond
Acres: 8.0
Mallard Pond is great for seasonal trout and panfish.
Species: Rainbow trout, bluegill, crappie, carp, channel catfish
Special Regulations: None
Pelican Pond
Acres: 8.0
Pelican Pond is excellent for channel catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and crappie.
Species: Northern pike, largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie
Special Regulations: None
Pintail Pond
Acres: 4.6
Pintail Pond is stocked with northern pike.
Species: Northern pike, bluegill, green sunfish, crappie
Special Regulations: None
Red Tail Pond
Acres: 2.7
Red Tail Pond is decent for bluegill and sunfish.
Species: Bluegill, sunfish, rainbow trout
Special Regulations: None
Sandpiper Pond
Acres: 12.7
Sandpiper Pond is great for seasonal trout.
Species: Rainbow trout, channel catfish, carp, bluegill
Special Regulations: None
New to Fishing?
Watch Bait Fishing Basics to learn how to assemble a bait fishing rig and bait a fishing hook.
Know the Rules
For “What’s New,” license requirements and pricing, fishing laws, special regulations, maps and much more, download your copy of the Colorado Fishing Brochure! A must have resource if you plan to fish in Colorado.
