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Offering an abundance of year-round recreational opportunities, Aurora has sailing, non-motorized boating, windsurfing, a seasonal swim beach, SCUBA area, archery range, large group picnic shelters, and fishing. There is an 8 mile multi-use, concrete trail that circles the reservoir those wishing to get in a little exercise.
Aurora Reservoir is a popular destination for trout anglers in the Denver metro area and only allows electric motors which can make this lake difficult to navigate by boat on windy days. But trout aren't the only species available to anglers. The area is well known for its black bass, wiper, walleye, and yellow perch. In fact, it is rumored that Aurora could produce the next state record smallmouth bass and wiper.
The reservoir is close to boating on Dec. 15 (or earlier if ice forms).
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Hours of Operation:
January: 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
February: 6:30 AM 6:30 PM
March: 6:00 AM 7:00 PM
April: 6:00 AM 8:30 PM
May: 5:30 AM 9:00 PM
June: 5:00 AM 9:30 PM
July: 5:00 AM 9:30 PM
August: 5:30 AM 9:00 PM
September: 6:00 AM 8:00 PM
October: 6:30 AM 7:30 PM
November: 6:30 AM 6:00 PM
December: 7:00 AM 5:30 PM
WALK-IN Hours Walk in gates are located along the southern property line of the reservoir. The gates will be opened ½ hour after the above listed opening time and will be closed/locked ½ hour before the above listed closing time. (For example: In June the walk in gates will open at 5:30 a.m. and will close at 9:00 p.m.
CDOW Fish Surveys 2008
Annual surveys included the use of gill nets and boat electrofishing. The 2008 results show that yellow perch comprised the majority (56%) of the sample, followed by walleye (28%), and then rainbow trout (6%). Species in the other (10%) category included largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, wiper, and gizzard shad.
Walleye up to 27 and rainbow trout up to almost 20were collected in 2008. The walleye grow well on a diet of yellow perch and crayfish. Rainbow trout are typically stocked at an average length of 10. The presence of trout up to 20 shows that they have survived at least on winter to grow to the larger size. Trout do well in this deep lake, where they can find cooler water during the summer months. Although most of the yellow perch collected were in the 3 to 6 range, larger fish are present, probably schooling in open water and therefore not susceptible to sampling gear.
Getting there: From E-470 take Quincy Ave 2 1/4 miles east to Powhaton. Go south on Powhaton 1 1/4 miles to entrance.
Fees: Fees:
Annual Vehicle Pass:
Resident of Aurora: $55.00
Non-Resident: $65.00
Senior Resident of Aurora: $45.00
Senior Non-Resident: $55.00
Day Pass:
Aurora Day Pass $10.00
Watercraft Access Permit $10.00
Boating: Electric Motors Only. Boat inspections began last year at Aurora Reservoir which is open year round to boating. New for 2009, boat operators at these reservoirs will pay a one-time fee of $10 to obtain a Watercraft Access Pass for every vehicle towing or otherwise transporting any boat or watercraft to the reservoirs. Hours of operation vary by month: May hours are 5:30 a.m. 9 p.m., June and July hours are 5:00 a.m. 9:30 p.m., August hours are 5:30 a.m. 9:00 p.m., September hours are 6:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m., October hours are 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., and November hours are 6:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. All vessels are required to be off the water one-half hour after sunset. The reservoir will be closed to boating December 15th (or earlier if ice starts to form). Visit www.auroragov.org for further information on hours by month and operations.
Electric motors only. Gas motors must be raised position and all portable tanks removed.
Ice Fishing: Ice fishing allowed
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