Fishing Season: Year Around

South Platte River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

38

Royal Gorge Anglers's Tip of the Week

Focus on your winter bugs with the addition of eggs and leeches. You'll see some spawning redds here and there from now until late March so be good stewards of the resource and don't fish to spawners.

Directions open in app

Map of South Platte River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Royal Gorge Anglers
Angler's Covey
Sunrise Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 3/21/25

With the warmer weather look for very strong fishing in the canyon...but bring your own rock, because it has been crowded!

Techniques & Tips as of 3/21/25

Technical nymphing is certainly your best method to get into numbers of fish. Midges, Tricos and Baetis (BWOs) will be your focal point until next Spring. Keep some small dry flies on hand in the same bug categories as you will certainly see some sporadic hatch activity. We'll mix in some small leeches to our nymph rigs at times and keep a streamer rod handy for the low light time periods. Pretty basic rigging in the winter, but the fishing is quite technical.

Local Species Available Year Around

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbow Trout; Cutthroat Trout; Brown Trout; Cuttbows

Royal Gorge Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
RS2 Black 20, 22
Pale Morning Dun Thorax Dun 22
Blue Wing Olive Parachute BWO 20
Sparkle Dun black 20
Juan's Slim Shady BWO 22
Ice Queen black 22
Indicator Parachute - Trico black 20
Micro Egg peach 18
Copper John black 20
Rainbow Warrior Pearl 22

RS2

A must have emerger fly pattern for any trout fisherman.

2.49

Item #067T

Buy Now

Royal Gorge Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About South Platte River

Elevenmile Canyon starts just below Elevenmile Reservoir. Although the reservoir is situated on the open/ windy plateau of South Park, Elevenmile Canyon a completely different scenario all together with pine and fir trees, tremendous rock outcroppings, and gorgeous pools. The installation of changes in DOW regulations since 2001 have improved and preserved this fishery. Elevenmile Canyon is now artificial flies and lures only, and catch and release, for the four miles below the dam (to Springer Gulch). This fishery proves to be one of the most consistent tailwater fisheries in the state day in and day out.

Nearest Airport:

Colorado Springs

Hatches:

BWOs, tricos, Midges

Best Time to Fish:

Mornings

Best Stretch:

Springer Up

Best Access:

Co Rd 96, Lake George, CO