🏔 South-Central Colorado — South Park
Eleven Mile Reservoir
South Park — Colorado's most diverse stillwater fishery
3,400 acres
Surface Area
100 ft
Max Depth
8,568 ft
Elevation
April – May
Ice-Out
Apr, May, Sep, Oct
Prime Season
About Eleven Mile Reservoir
Eleven Mile Reservoir sits adjacent to Spinney Mountain in South Park — a 3,400-acre reservoir on the South Platte River drainage that offers Colorado's most diverse stillwater fishery. Unlike the single-minded trophy focus of adjacent Spinney Mountain, Eleven Mile supports a varied mix of Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Lake Trout (Mackinaw), and Northern Pike, creating a multi-species fishery that rewards versatility.
The reservoir's larger size and motorboat accessibility make it more family-friendly and accessible than Spinney, while still maintaining quality fish populations. Rainbow Trout averaging 14–18 inches are the most abundant fly fishing target, with the early season (April–May) providing exceptional surface feeding as the reservoir warms from ice-out.
Kokanee Salmon provide excellent summer trolling and bright-pattern fishing through July and August before their fall spawning run. Lake Trout growing to impressive sizes in the deeper sections are accessible to fly rods on sinking lines in fall. The Northern Pike — non-native predators that have established themselves in the reservoir — provide exciting streamer fishing for anglers willing to target them specifically.
South Park's wide, high-altitude valley creates dramatic weather — afternoon thunderstorms are intense and frequent from June through August, making morning fishing sessions the priority.
Fishing Techniques
Boat Fishing
Motors permitted. Most effective for covering the diverse habitat types. Kokanee trolling through open water in summer.
Float Tube
Excellent in the inlet areas and weed edges. Chironomid suspenders for rainbows, large streamers for lake trout and pike.
Shore Fishing
State Park provides extensive shore access. Good spring rainbow fishing when fish are active near surface.
Hatch Chart
| Chironomid/Midge | |
| Callibaetis | |
| Damselfly | |
| Leech | |
| Kokanee |
Peak
Active
Absent
Fly Patterns
Chironomid/Midge
Red Chironomid #12-16 · Black Chironomid #12-16
Callibaetis
Callibaetis Nymph #12-14 · Sparkle Dun #12-14
Leech
Woolly Bugger #6-8 · Marabou Leech #6-8
Pike
Large Deceiver #1/0-3/0 · Pike Bunny #1/0 · Articulated Streamer #1/0
Kokanee
Carey Special #10-12 · Doc Spratley #10
Species
Rainbow Trout
Dominant and abundant. Averaging 14–18 inches. Best spring and fall on chironomid and Callibaetis patterns.
Brown Trout
Averaging 16–22 inches. Best fall pre-spawn. Large fish in deeper reservoir sections.
Kokanee Salmon
Summer fishery. Averaging 12–15 inches. Trolled bright patterns through open water.
Lake Trout
Deep-water residents. Large fish accessible in fall on sinking lines.
Northern Pike
Non-native predators. Exciting streamer fishing — large Deceivers and pike patterns.
Access Points
📍 Eleven Mile State Park
Full facilities including boat launch, camping, and shore fishing. Colorado state park fee.
📍 South Platte Inlet
North end near the South Platte inlet. Best spring rainbow concentrations.
Pro Tips
- →The combination of Spinney and Eleven Mile in a single South Park trip covers Colorado's finest trophy stillwater and most diverse stillwater in adjacent waters.
- →Pike on large streamers is Eleven Mile's most exciting and underutilized fly fishing opportunity — bring 8-weight gear and wire leaders.
- →Morning fishing is essential — South Park's afternoon thunderstorms can be severe.
- →The South Platte below Eleven Mile Dam provides excellent walk-wade trout fishing as a complement to the stillwater.
Regulations
Colorado fishing license required. Colorado state park fee. Northern Pike — check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for any special regulations. Standard trout regulations apply to most sections.