Where to Go Elevenmile Reservoir
Current Reports
Open 9 am to 6 pm Daily
Report Date: 10/19/2026
North Shore boat ramp is now open for the season from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset daily.
Witchers Cove boat ramp is open on WEEKENDS ONLY from 6 am to 4 pm until September 6th
Current Conditions
Elevenmile Canyon is running clear and cold, drawing wild rainbows and brown trout into the swifter riffle sections, deep pools, and shaded pocket water along the granite boulders. Water temperatures remain crisp, keeping the trout highly active and feeding throughout the canyon floor. The exceptional water clarity requires a stealthy approach and clean drifts, as fish are heavily pocketed in the seams and will spook easily from clumsy bank movement.
Weather:
Short Term -
Anglers can expect sunny skies today with an afternoon high near 87 degrees Fahrenheit. Light morning breezes will transition to southwest winds between 6 and 11 mph, with occasional canyon gusts reaching up to 21 mph before dropping to a mostly clear evening low around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The Independence Day holiday weekend brings a 30 to 50 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, which can roll over the canyon walls rapidly.
Long Term -
A steady monsoonal weather pattern takes hold heading into next week, delivering a consistent 30 percent to high chance of daily afternoon showers and thunderstorms from Monday through next Thursday. Morning sunshine will push daytime highs between 88 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit before cloud cover builds after midday. These rain cycles are vital for maintaining canyon flows and keeping stream temperatures stable through mid-summer.
Tactics:
Conquering the technical water of the canyon demands fine presentation and excellent line control. Anglers should utilize 9 to 12 foot leaders ending in 5X or 6X fluorocarbon tippet to get clean drifts in the transparent currents. Technical nymphing with two fly rigs, featuring a larger attractor pattern followed by a tiny midge or mayfly pupa, is highly effective in the deep slots, while dry fly enthusiasts should look for slick water pools during afternoon hatch windows.
Hatches:
Midges continue to provide a highly reliable food source during the cooler morning hours, prompting subtle rises in the slow eddies. Trico activity is starting to pick up early in the day, while Pale Morning Duns and occasional Blue Winged Olives emerge during overcast afternoons. Terrestrials like ants and beetles are becoming a significant factor along the grassy banks, and subsurface caddis larvae remain a staple diet item.
Tips:
Concentrate your efforts on the faster riffles and bubbly pocket water where the broken surface hides your profile from wary trout. Keep a close eye on the sky, as afternoon monsoons can trap you in the steep canyon with sudden lightning and rising waters. Always fish your way up the stream, casting from well below the fish, and practice quick, wet handed releases to keep these wild canyon trout healthy in the summer heat.
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Recommended Fly Patterns
Dry Fly Patterns
- Parachute Callibaetis, sizes #16-18
- Parachute Adams, sizes #14-16
- Renegade, sizes #14-16
- Amy's Ant, red, sizes #14-16
Nymph Patterns
- Ice Cream Cone Chironomid, Black/Red or Olive, sizes #16-20
- Epoxy Back Scud, Tan or Olive, sizes #14-16
- Flashback Pheasant Tail, sizes #16-18
- Balanced leather leech, black/olive, size #10
- Callibaetis Nymph, sizes #16-18
Streamer Patterns
- Mini Dungeon, olive, size #8
- Silk Kitty, yellow, size #4
- Game changer, white, size #6
- Meat whistle, light colors. size #8
Anglers Covey Bug Of The MOnth:
Elevenmile Reservoir is the heart of South Park fishing. This amazing fishery can challenge anglers mostly because it is so big that it's difficult to locate fish. The reservoir has rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, carp, and northern pike. The average fish caught is around 16 inches. However, because of the size and depth of the reservoir and the abundance of nutrients, Elevenmile can grow very large trout and pike. There are great facilities including a shower at the main office for campers. A daily state parks pass for Elevenmile is 7 dollars.
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 Elevenmile Reservoir.