Swimbait Fishing on Cherry Creek Reservoir
Cherry Creek Reservoir · Colorado · West
Cherry Creek Reservoir is a 1,200-acre urban reservoir located just south of Denver, featuring a mix of shallow coves, rocky points, and deeper basins ideal for bass fishing. The lake's proximity to the city makes it a popular destination for both largemouth and smallmouth bass anglers seeking quality fishing without traveling far. Its moderate depth and abundant structure provide excellent habitat for bass throughout the year, with fish responding well to a variety of techniques.
Covers everything from 3" paddle tails to 10"+ hard-body glide baits. Paddle tails on a swimbait head cover water efficiently; large glide baits and jointed hard swimbaits target trophy fish specifically. Swimbait fishing rewards patience — fewer bites, but the bites that come are often the biggest bass of your life.
Swimbait Setup for Cherry Creek Reservoir
| Rod | 7'3"–8' medium-heavy to heavy casting rod, moderate action (for big baits) |
| Reel | 5.4:1–6.4:1 baitcaster (slower for big baits, need power) |
| Line | 15–20 lb fluorocarbon; 65 lb braid for glide baits |
| Weight | Paddle tail on 1/4–1 oz head; glide baits 2–6 oz depending on size |
Seasonal Tactics on Cherry Creek Reservoir
Lake: Spring at Cherry Creek sees largemouth bass moving into shallow coves and creek channels as water temperatures warm, with spawning activity peak in late April through May. Crankbaits and soft plastics near the shoreline produce excellent results during this transition period.
Swimbait: Post-spawn giants recovering — slow roll a big paddle tail along the first drop off beds.
Lake: Summer bass relate to deeper structure and cooler water, with fish found along the main lake channel, submerged vegetation, and around the deeper basins. Early morning and evening topwater action can be excellent, while midday fishing is best focused on deep structure.
Swimbait: Early morning on main lake points. Slow-roll a 6"+ swimbait along ledge faces at dawn.
Lake: Fall brings aggressive bass feeding as cooler water temperatures trigger increased activity throughout the lake, with excellent results on shad-imitating crankbaits and swimbaits. The transition period from September through October is considered peak fishing season with consistent catches across all areas.
Swimbait: Best season — bass targeting large shad. Match the size of forage exactly. Shad colors.
Lake: Winter fishing at Cherry Creek remains productive for anglers willing to brave cold conditions, with bass holding in deeper areas and responding to slow-moving soft plastics and jigs. Ice fishing is possible when conditions allow, with equipment restrictions varying by season.
Swimbait: Slow down the retrieve dramatically. Big fish are lethargic but will eat a slow-moving large profile.
Best Conditions
Clear water, trophy fisheries, post-spawn and fall, shad migrations, open water and around structure, dawn and dusk
Slow down more than you think. Most anglers retrieve swimbaits too fast. A barely-moving bait triggers more bites from big, selective fish.
More Techniques for Cherry Creek Reservoir
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