Where to Go North Slope Lakes
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SUMMER HOURS 6am to 6pm Daily
The North Slope Recreation area is open for the season!
NOTE- Access by the Pikes Peak highway will only be for Crystal Reservoir.
South Catamount reservoir is still closed while Colorado Springs Utilities repairs the dam.
North Catamount is accessible by trails only. These entry points are off of Edlowe road outside of Woodland Park. The trailhead is HERE
Report Date: 8/27/2025
Current Conditions:
Our favorite "Close to home" fishery is fishing great right now. The fact that you have to hike into North catamount has made this area uncrowded and offering a lot of solitude! The fishing has been lights out for the rainbow, cuttbow, cutthroat and brook trout this summer. Fishing has been best in the mornings and then later in the day. Its hard to beat a single, small hopper right now.
Hatches:
We have had some great terrestrial activity up here recently. Ant, beetles, and hoppers are always a good bet! Try hanging a leach or scud pattern off of your dry flies.
Tactics:
Hopper/dropper and dry fly fishing is by far the most fun way to fish this area. Static nymphing and streamers also do well. Go for a walk, there is a TON of real estate to fish here.
Weather:
Short Term- We have had quite the opposite weather on how the first half of August was. After a very hot and dry start to the month, its been extremely wet and cool recently. We have seen consistent and almost persistent rainfall over the last few days. This weather change couldnt have come at a better time as fire danger was starting to increase substantially. We will continue to see some cooler and wet weather through the week and into the weekend. Temps will be in the upper 60's/low 70's and rain chances are pretty high each day. Its a good bet that you could encounter rain at any time. Some of the storms could bring quite a bit of lightning with it as well, so remain alert...Especially up here.
Long Term- Starting on Sunday, we look to dry out a little bit. Temps will remain nice but below seasonal averages. This short break should go through Monday, but then things return to a wetter and again cooler forecast starting on Tuesday. This monsoonal pattern looks to be sticking around through at least the first weekend in September with rain chances in the 50%+ range every day. Temps will stay in the 60's and 70's and will be quite pleasant. Beyond that, its anyones guess. We will take this moisture right now because we are bound to dry out and warm up again.
Tips:
This is a great day trip destination and a good place to take the whole family. The trail is pretty easy going to and from the lake.
RECOMMENDED PATTERNS
For a custom fly assortment for this location, click here!
Our Top 6 Nymphs for Today:
- Zebra midge, black and red, sizes 14-20
- Frenchie, size 16-18
- Jigged mini leech, all colors, size 14
- Simi leech, burgundy, black. size 12
- Balanced leech, black, olive, size 12-14
- BH Hares ear, size 16-18
Our Top Dry Flies for Today:
- Amys Ant, green, red, sizes 12-14
- Parachute Adams, sizes 16-20
- Stubby Chubby, black, size 16
- Hippie Stomper, all colors, sizes 16-18
- Glo Ant, black, size 16
Our Top Streamer Patterns for Today:
- Peanut, olive, size 6-8
- Sculpzilla, natural, size 6
- Slumpbuster, black/brown. Size 4
- Thin mint, black, sizes 6-8
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR "WHERE TO GO" PAGE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON OTHER AREAS!
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.