Fishing Season: Ice-off through Mid November

Spinney Reservoir - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

47

Royal Gorge Anglers's Tip of the Week

The park will open Fri., April 11. Gates open at 6:00 a.m. for shoreline & NON-MOTORIZED, HAND LAUNCHED, HUMAN POWERED recreation ONLY. No motorized vessels allowed until April 15. Opening day, please don't start lining up on the roadways before 5:15 a.m.

Directions open in app

Map of Spinney Reservoir

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Royal Gorge Anglers
Angler's Covey
Freestone Outfitters
Sunrise Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 4/9/25

Opening week will be excellent...but expect crowds!

Techniques & Tips as of 4/9/25

Around opener and in the early weeks of the season its best to cover water and try to sight fish to cruising fish. Many times fish will cruise in packs along the edges and drop offs foraging. Our guides will lean heavily on 2 styles of rigging...static nymphing and streamer fishing. Carry one rod with a static indicator rig focused on a combination of 2 or 3 or the following: balanced leeches, eggs, chironomid larva, scuds. Set that indicator at a depth that correlated with what your observing (or marking on electronics) the fish cruising at (depth wise). Carry a second rod that is directed more at prospecting. We like to run smaller leeches or baitfish style streamers on either a full sink or sink tip fly line. You can cover water and blind cast this rod or pick out cruising fish if you're at an elevated position.

Local Species Available Ice-off through Mid November

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Cutthroat Trout

Royal Gorge Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Living Damsel olive 14
Mad Bomber Chironomid olive 14
Micro Egg yellow 16
Krystal Bugger black 12
Mini Leech Black 16
Bubbas Callibaetis Nat 16
Hot Head Damsel olive 12
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer olive 10
Hula Damsel Olive 12
CDC Callibaetis Nat 12

Living Damsel

Superbly tied and slightly weighted, this Damsel fly is a versatile pattern.

2.99

Item #99PG

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Royal Gorge Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Spinney Reservoir

Spinney Reservoir has become one of the premier still water locations in the Rocky Mountains. Not only trophy fish into the double digit range can be possible, but also a higher average size range than any other reservoir in the state. Nestled in the heart of South Park this Gold Medal fishery not only has extremely productive trout fishing but also some of the best views of the beautiful Collegiate Peaks Range.....

Nearest Airport:

Colorado Springs

Hatches:

Chironomids, Egg Patterns, Leeches, Scuds. Streamers!

Best Time to Fish:

AM

Best Stretch:

Dam, South Ramp

Best Access:

Entrance road into state park and back side coves Entrance road and across dam to back side coves