Free Youth Fishing Derby on Pikes Peak This Weekend — Here's What COS Families Need to Know

The third annual Pikes Peak Youth Fishing Derby is happening September 13 at Crystal Creek Reservoir, six miles up the Pikes Peak Highway — and it's one of the better free family events of the fall season. If you have a kid ages six through 15 who has ever wanted to try fishing (or who already loves it), this is worth carving out a Saturday morning for.

The event runs from 8:30 AM to 11 AM, with an awards ceremony and complimentary lunch to follow at 11:30 AM. It's free for registered youth anglers and their parents or guardians.

A Great Intro to Fishing — or a Chance for Experienced Young Anglers

One of the best things about this event is the built-in instruction. Before fishing begins, volunteers from Colorado Parks and Wildlife lead a skills demonstration covering the essentials: casting, knot-tying, baiting, and how to handle a fish safely. First-timers are genuinely welcome here — this isn't an event where your kid needs to arrive already knowing what to do.

The first 100 registered youth anglers will receive free fishing gear to take home, so if you haven't registered yet, it's worth getting your spot in sooner rather than later. No fishing license is required for participants under 16 in Colorado.

The Setting: Crystal Creek Reservoir

Crystal Creek Reservoir sits about six miles up the Pikes Peak Highway near Cascade. It's the kind of spot that feels like a real mountain experience without requiring a full summit trip — the altitude is noticeable, the scenery is stunning, and by September the fall colors are typically beginning to show in the surrounding terrain. The reservoir itself is part of the Colorado Springs Utilities water system, making it a somewhat unique venue: not typically open to the public for recreational fishing, but opened specifically for this event.

What's Next

The Pikes Peak Youth Fishing Derby is one of several family-friendly events on the Colorado Springs fall calendar this month. This weekend also features Dahlia Days at Gather Mountain Blooms on September 12 and the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow on September 19 and 20. If your family is looking to pack in some outdoor activities before the weather shifts, the next few weeks are a good window.

For registration and the latest details on the Youth Fishing Derby, check the City of Colorado Springs website at coloradosprings.gov or visitcos.com.