Welcome to the best Gold Medal fishing that Colorado has to offer. This reservoir is known internationally for its trophy sized northern pike, rainbows, cutthroats and browns that are taken all summer long. Anglers continue to marvel at the reservoir's resurgence as a trophy trout fishery. The comeback is due to the successful techniques used by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife to manage the reservoir's trout and pike fisheries. Fishing tournaments, when offered, are posted on the park calendar.
Only artificial flies and lures are allowed. Colorado Parks and Wildlife defines "artificial flies and lures" as: "Devices made entirely of or a combination of natural or synthetic, nonedible, nonscented (regardless if scent is added during the manufacturing process or applied after) materials such as wood, plastic, silicone, rubber, epoxy, glass, hair, metal, feathers or fiber, designed to attract fish. This does not include anything defined as bait below."
- Bait fishing and snagging are both prohibited. This restriction also applies to the South Platte River both above and below the reservoir and is strictly enforced. Colorado Parks and Wildlife defines bait as: "Hand-moldable material designed to attract fish by taste or smell. Devices with scents or smell attractants added or externally applied, regardless if added during manufacturing or after. Scented manufactured fish eggs and traditional organic baits, including but not limited to worms, grubs, crickets, leeches, minnows, dough baits, stink baits, insects, crayfish, human food, fish, fish parts or fish eggs."
Trout bag/possession limit on the RESERVOIR is one fish, 20"or longer. - Trout bag/possession limit on the SOUTH PLATTE RIVER ABOVE (WEST OF) THE RESERVOIR is two fish, only one of which can be 20"or longer. All trout caught on this section of the river between 12"to 20" must be immediately released back to the water.
- All trout caught on the SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BELOW (EAST OF) THE RESERVOIR AND CONTINUING TO ELEVEN MILE RESERVOIR must be immediately released back to the water. This is a Gold Medal catch and release fishing area only.
- Northern pike have no size, bag or possession limit.
- For a complete listing of fishing regulations and definitions, anglers should consult the Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishing page, or the current Colorado fishing season brochure.
Areas closed to fishing include the fenced area directly below the dam, the Homestake Conveyance Channel and from any island or boat ramp. These areas are all posted. A Fishing Closure Map may be downloaded here. - Fishing guides and outfitters who utilize the park for commercially guided fishing or recreation activities are required to purchase a special-use permit. Please contact the Eleven Mile State Park office at (719) 748-3401.
- Fishing is prohibited from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.
- Ice fishing is prohibited.
In order to successfully manage both the trout and pike populations in stable numbers, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife has instituted several innovative management techniques for Spinney Reservoir. These include removing all size and bag limits on pike; stocking trout only in the late fall or early winter when pike metabolisms have slowed down (they are less hungry); stocking trout that are at least 12" long; and encouraging fishermen to harvest all pike caught, regardless of size.
This final measure is important to reduce the number of smaller pike present in the reservoir, allowing for a larger number of healthy, trophy- sized pike to be recruited.
ATTENTION ALL FISHERMEN:
The threat of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a very real threat that affects everybody. AIS species can destroy facilities, ecosystems and recreational equipment alike. It is in nobodies interest to allow their introduction into a clean reservoir. Recently, Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists confirmed the presence of two invasive species, New Zealand mud snails (NZMS) and a plant called Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) in Eleven Mile Reservoir. Spinney Mountain Reservoir is still "clean" as far as parks and wildlife officials are aware. NZMS primarily feed on algae and aquatic plants, and can crowd out other desired fish and invertebrate species. EWM is an aggressive aquatic plant that out competes native plants and can form large strands on the surface of the water, which can entangle motors and degrade the quality of recreational boating opportunities.
In an effort to prevent their introduction into Spinney Mountain Reservoir, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife is conducting boat inspections on all vessels that are intended to be launched on the reservoir. Belly boats, canoes and kayaks without motors are exempted. But, we need the help of every boater and fisherman that uses the reservoir. It is critical for the boating and fishing public to fully cooperate in order to protect boating and fishing opportunities at Spinney Mountain Reservoir and prevent the spread of these damaging organisms.
Mandatory inspections of all non-exempt vessels will be conducted at the park entrance and must be completed satisfactorily prior to launching on the reservoir. Boaters are advised that by law in order to be allowed on the reservoir every trailered vessel must be inspected. In order to be inspected, 1) the hull of every trailered vessel must be free of all debris, mud and ice and 2) the interior of every trailered vessel must be cleaned, drained and dry prior to the inspection and regardless of prevailing weather conditions. It is up to each operator to make sure that his vessel meets these required conditions before being inspected.
Any vessel, float tube or belly boat that is found to be contaminated will be refused admittance to the reservoir until that vessel, float tube or belly boat is satisfactorily decontaminated. Decontamination can be done by park staff at the Eleven Mile Shop by appointment only. Owners should be aware that inspections at Spinney Mountain Reservoir will be required every time the vessel enters the ramp area for launching unless the vessel has an untampered inspection strap attached to its bow that was placed upon it at Spinney Mountain Reservoir. Inspection straps from Eleven Mile will no longer be honored since that body of water is now known to contain ANS.
EFFECTIVE AUG 13, 2012: The South Boat Ramp will close to all use for the season due to low water.
EFFECTIVE NOV 01, 2012: The lake will close to all boating for the season at the end of business on Oct 31st. All ramps and all inspections stations are closed for the season.
EFFECTIVE APRIL (TBD), 2013: The park and the reservoir will open for boating after ice-off has occurred. Both ramps are available for use providing there is an adequate water level. Mandatory vessel inspections for aquatic nuisance species will be conducted at the Spinney Mountain Entrance Station from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Launching is prohibited without an inspection. Both the reservoir and boat ramp are closed to boating 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. We ask that you arrive at the inspection station with your vessel clean, drained and dry.
Before leaving any lake or other waterway, fishermen and boaters should:
- DRAIN all water from the boat, including live wells, bait wells and ballast tanks.
- CLEAN the hull of your vessel, belly boat or float tube thoroughly.
- DRY the vessel, fishing gear and equipment.
- INSPECT all exposed surfaces.
- REMOVE all plant and animal material.
Additional contact information for Zebra Mussels policies and strategies:
- Boating Policies at a given park – Call the individual park office.
- State Parks regulations related to Zebra Mussels – Call Pat Gavin 303-791-1954.
- Overall parks Zebra Mussel strategy – Call Gene Seagle 303-866-3203x4343/Elizabeth Brown 303-291-7362.
- Statewide Zebra Mussel strategy – Call Greg Gerlich 303-291-7360.
See the park's homepage for current weather conditions.
Fishing equipment and boat rentals are available at the 11 Mile Marina.