Slough Pond is a small, well-maintained fishing spot tucked into Gilpin County near the historic towns of Black Hawk and Central City. Managed within the Golden Gate Canyon State Park system, this compact pond offers a family-friendly introduction to trout fishing in the Colorado high country, with stocking by Colorado Parks and Wildlife keeping the catch rates reliable throughout the season.
Trout fishing is the primary activity at Slough Pond, and anglers consistently report solid results. Fly fishers find that nymph patterns work particularly well here, making it an excellent place to practice Euro nymphing techniques. Dry dropper rigs also produce steady action, and bait anglers catch their share as well. The pond receives regular CPW stockings, so timing a visit shortly after a plant can yield especially productive outings. A valid Colorado fishing license and a state park pass are both required to fish here, so have those in hand before arriving.
The area around Slough Pond connects to the Beaver Trail network, which provides solid hiking through aspen groves and along ridgelines with sweeping mountain views. Winter visitors should bring snowshoes, as the trails accumulate significant snow and become impassable without them. The trail system offers enough distance and elevation change to make a rewarding half-day hike on its own, and combining it with a fishing session at the pond makes for a full day in the mountains.
Slough Pond has a small parking lot with roughly 10 marked spaces, and a restroom is available on site. The limited parking can fill up on weekends, and overflow parking options along the road shoulder are restricted. Arriving early on popular days is the safest bet for securing a spot. The pond's manageable size and calm waters make it particularly well suited for children and beginning anglers who want to build confidence before tackling larger waters. The drive from Denver takes about an hour, placing Slough Pond within easy reach for a day trip that combines mountain scenery, quality trail time, and reliable fishing.