Where to Go North Slope Lakes
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Photo by Covey Guide Vince Puzick
SPRING HOURS 9am to 6pm Daily
NORTH SLOPE RECREATION AREA IS NOW OPEN FOR THE SEASON!
Report Date: 5/10/2026
Current Conditions
After 2 years of being closed to vehicle traffic, both North and South Catamount are open for the season! While both lakes are low, the fishing was fantastic on opening weekend. This is one of our favorite close to home spots and makes for an easy (and beautiful) trip. Fish are feeding opportunistically all over the lake but are favoring points, coves, and windblown shorelines. There is some snow up here (with more on the way) but access is great.
Tactics:
Static indicator rigs were working great over the weekend and we even saw some good dry fly opportunity later in the day. If you want to target Lake Trout, try throwing some larger white streamers.
Hatches:
There are some chironomids and even some caddis hatching right now. Smaller terrestrials (ant, beetles, small hoppers) will be coming into play soon.
Tips:
South Cat- Low water and just freshly stocked. Lots of stocker sized rainbows in here.
North cat- The farther you walk, the less people you will see. Explore the lake!
Weather:
Short Term- There will be a pretty good stretch of really nice weather coming up. Today will be the coolest with temps in the 50's. As we roll into next week, we will see temps akin to summer time highs. Expect sunny and sometimes windy conditions with highs in the 70's! Around mid week we will see some slight precipitation chances come back into the picture. This last week has been nice and cool, and we even saw some decent precipitation in the area. While it wasnt really enough to turn things completely around, it was extremely helpful. In all, this coming week is going to be absolutely gorgeous!
Long Term- Next weekend, things will remain nice with temps in the upper 60's/ low 70's. Precipitation chances will increase as we get into the following week. Right now, its too far off to tell, but all signs are pointing at some extended wet and cool weather. Longer range weather forecasts are showing a wet pattern for the state. This would be the ideal scenario after a dry winter. One thing to note about that.. There has been a lot of talk about our lackluster winter. While that was the case, we are in decent shape for water in our local basins. No doubt we will see water restriction, etc. but the fishing will remain very good clear throughout the season and into fall. One thing we learn living here is that things can change very fast. And a spring and summer with normal or even slightly below normal rainfall, will keep us in good shape this year.
About North Catamount Reservoir
North Catamount Reservoir on Pikes Peak is flies and lures only. It has mostly rainbows and cutthroat trout and is known for having large Mackinaw. There is no fishing access from the dam. There is a charge of $5 to drive up Pikes Peak Highway to gain access to the three main reservoirs (North and South Catamount and Crystal Reservoir). Be sure to tell them at the gate that you are fishing and not going to the top of the Peak so you don't get charged the full amount to drive the full distance.
About South Catamount Reservoir
South Catamount Reservoir is located just a 5 minute drive up Pikes Peak highway below North Catamount Reservoir. It is basically the same still water fishery as "North Cat" only with slightly less strict regulations because bait fishing is allowed. These reservoirs are the Colorado Springs city water supply with relatively little access to commodities such as restrooms, camp sites and boat ramps. Flies to come armed with are streamers, such as a brown and black wooly bugger, egg patterns, copper johns, hares ears, and prince nymphs. Tell the people working the gate that you are going fishing so you don't pay the higher fee to go to the top of Pikes Peak.
Hours of Operation
May 1 – Thursday before Memorial Day: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Friday before Memorial Day - Labor Day: 7:30am – 7:00pm
Tuesday after Labor Day - Sept 30: 7:30am – 6:00pm
Oct 1 – Third Sunday of October: 9:00am – 4:00pm
In addition, the Recreation Area is closed to fishing during the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Race
Another Stillwater option, when these lakes open there is abundant opportunity on the fly. North catamount in particular, holds some very nice lake trout that can be taken cruising the shoreline. Slow stripping streamers is my favorite method to fish here. Don’t overlook the dry fly opportunity throughout the summer as well
Jon Easdon, Guide and Director of Services
This is an area we specialize in and are permitted to guide, so give us a shout if you have any questions or if you are interested in allowing one of our Orvis-Endorsed guides showing you how to conquer North Slope Lakes.