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When are the Docs Opening at Chatfield?

5K views 44 replies 15 participants last post by  Thenewguy76 
#1 ·
I drove around the lake yesterday and checked out the ponds on the south end and ... no ice.

The web page says only that the docs will open when there is no ice.

So ... has anybody heard when?
 
#10 · (Edited)
The CPW web site says:

"... Inspections are conducted daily, 7 days a week, with the following hours of operation:

March 1st (OR ice off) - March 31st
6am to 8pm
(North Ramps Only)"


It said nothing about "when personnel are trained up". It is poor planning not to have people trained and in the queue for staffing. Since the planning is lacking ... maybe the trainers should man the gates so they remember how cold they get when it's them out there inspecting craft in February at night.
... Problem solved. :)

Maybe this would inspire better planning.

My recollection is that ice has come off of Chatfield by Feb 15 nearly every year as long back as I can recall ... circa 1985. Or at least half the lake has thawed out by then. I remember on many occasions having to bust through the skim ice at the ramp to get on the water and never had a problem.

Why don't they just plan to open on Feb 1 (global warming) and why do we have to wait for ALL the ice to be off before the docks open? ... just post signs "launch at your own risk". I did it that way for years (at night) without incident.

I feel that if you are hauling ars around CF, or any other reservoir for that matter, when half the lake is frozen ... you deserve to loose your vessel. ARRRGGHHH! The trick is GO SLOW and have a spotter.

The message for CPW is: Light a fire under it boys ... open that lake up!

... and PS: The November 30 closing is totally arbitrary as well!

(and just so you don't forget and get in trouble) ... Happy Valentines Day!

Mac

Sorry about the rant but it's frustrating.
 
#17 ·
I think the March 1st or ice off means whichever is later.

I don't remember any metro lake opening prior to March 1st since the ANS inspections started.

I wish things would change, but there doesn't seem to be much interest in "the powers that be". Personally, I would rather have the mountain lakes stay open later in the year than Chatfield open up on 2/15. But my vote doesn't count for much.
 
#22 ·
quote from thread elsewhere!!! ::) I'm waiting for response about toons.

I did want to clear something up on here. Since Belly boats/Float tubes are considered a Fishing Aid by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and not a Vessel (boat) they are allowed on the main lake and ponds when the park is otherwise closed to boating (as in right now).
 
#27 ·
Plagerized from "another" source:

Hello again,

So it seems in the week I was off/doing snowmobile patrol up on Vail Pass someone came and stole all of the ice out here at Chatfield! After talking with the Park Manager it seems that we are planning on opening to boating MARCH 1ST at the North Ramp barring any sudden winter storms that bring ice back to the park.

Until that time I wanted to remind everyone that Chatfield is CLOSED to boating including kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, yachts... Anyways...

I did want to clear something up on here. Since Belly boats/Float tubes are considered a Fishing Aid by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and not a Vessel (boat) they are allowed on the main lake and ponds when the park is otherwise closed to boating (as in right now). I wanted to clarify on here since we have been getting calls and not everyone had been giving out the same information.

On top of that in mid March we will be netting for the Walleye spawn once again this year. Please familiarize yourself with the Walleye regulations here at Chatfield before trying to get too close to the netting operations and getting in trouble with the night patrols that will be out watching them.

WCR 104 (D): Did unlawfully (molest, disturb, or damage gill nets, traps, or seines) set by the Division.

WCR 108 (B) (72): Chatfield Reservoir and Chatfield State Park – Jefferson and Douglas Counties
a. Within Chatfield State Park, including the South Platte River and all ponds within the park boundary:
1. The bag limit and minimum size for walleye is three fish, 18 inches in length.
2. No more than one walleye greater than 21 inches in length may be taken per day.
3. The minimum size for largemouth and smallmouth bass is 15 inches in length.
Fishing is prohibited from the dam and within 100 feet of the dam or walleye spawning operation nets, from March 15 through April 15, or until walleye spawning operations are completed.

Again I will be excited to meet you all this season!

Tight Lines,
Ranger Green

I have NOT meet ranger GREEN yet....
Although, I have seen Them (Parks employees) working on the ramps at the No. boat ramp....
 
#29 ·
From Chatfield's boating page...

Boating

Chatfield is currently closed to all forms of boating and watercraft. We will re-open March 1st or after the ice is off all waters within the park
Lathrop

Boating

Boat Ramp at Martin Lake is Closed.

Boat Ramp at Horseshoe Lake is Closed.

Boating available hand launch Only.

Barr Lake

Boating

Barr Lake's boat ramp is closed to all vessells, motorized and hand launch included.​
(Updated: 11/10/2016 2:08 PM)

Fishing Report

No fishing is allowed in the wildlife refuge or on the Barr Lake dam, or in any canals.​
Water temp 55-60 dropping, clarity tea colored, water level rising

November 22nd

The fishing is only going to get better as the water rises and the temperature drops. The lake is closed to boating until the spring.

Boyd

Boat Ramps




12/1/2016: Boyd Lake is now CLOSED for boating. This closure includes motorboats, sail boats, hand propelled craft, canoes, kayaks, Stand up Paddle boards and any other "vessel" as defined in regulation.​

The lake is scheduled to reopen to boating on March 3rd, 2017. The lake is currently ice free but remains closed to boating.

John Martin
Boating

John Martin Reservoir is closed for boating for the season. Only hand-luanched, non-motorized vessels are allowed on Lake Hasty.
 
#34 ·
After reading this thread by the OP Ranger Green on the other site, and being told in the past nothing is legal on the water until lake is open to boating I wrote to CPW Headquarters for a definite ruling. This is their email back...

Hello,

I understand you have a question regarding park regulations at Chatfield.

Boating is closed for the winter, and will be open once again March 1st. Inflatables and pontoons are still considered boating. You can find more information on the Chatfield State Park page on our website here.

If you have any further questions or concerns, you can e-mail me back or give us a call at 303-297-1192.

Have a great day!
Brian Hertvik

DNR Fishing Reporter

Main (303) 297-1192 I Fax (303) 866-5070
1313 Sherman St. Denver CO, 80203
brian.hertvik@state.co.us I www.cpw.state.co.us




Think I'll wait!!! :frusty:
 
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