Where to Go North Slope Lakes
Current Reports
Open 9 am to 6 pm Daily
NORTH SLOPE RECREATION AREA IS NOW OPEN FOR THE SEASON! There is a $5.00 entrance fee to get up to the lakes via the Pikes Peak Highway.
Report Date: 9/18/2026
Current Conditions
High-elevation autumn conditions are settled across all three impoundments along the North Slope Recreation Area of Pikes Peak. Surface water temperatures have dropped into the low 40s, prompting resident rainbow, cutthroat, and lake trout (Mackinaw) to move out of deep summer thermoclines and forage along shallow granite shorelines, boulder fields, and weed-line drop-offs. Water clarity is high across North Catamount, South Catamount, and Crystal Creek.
Weather:
Short Term -
Cool mountain conditions with daytime highs peaking in the upper 50s to low 60s under mostly clear skies. Crisp, near-freezing morning starts will give way to midday sun, followed by light WNW breezes off Pikes Peak around 4–8 mph.
Long Term -
Daytime highs will cool into the low-to-mid 50s over the coming week, with overnight temperatures routinely dropping into the 20s. Accelerating autumn surface cooling will keep trout actively feeding along shallow shoreline drop-offs during the warmest midday windows.
Hatches:
Cold mountain mornings keep activity slow until direct sunlight warms the shallow coves. Midday transitions to steady midge emergences (#18–22) along quiet banks, along with aquatic beetles, water boatmen, freshwater scuds, and terrestrials (flying ants and small beetles) blowing off the forested pine slopes. Overcast periods spark brief, localized Baetis (BWO) hatches.
Tactics:
For North Catamount lake trout and large rainbows, strip streamers—such as Wooly Buggers, Slump Busters, or white Game Changers—along shallow granite ledges and drop-offs using an intermediate sinking line. Shoreline anglers on South Catamount and Crystal Creek can deploy a suspended indicator setup 4 to 8 feet deep along weed edges, pairing a Balanced Leech or Scud with an Ice Cream Cone Chironomid or Zebra Midge.
Tips:
Focus initial efforts along windward shorelines where breezes push terrestrials and aquatic nymphs against bank structures while breaking up overhead surface glare. Keep a low silhouette when wading clear, shallow flats. Remember that North Slope Recreation Area hours shift to 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM starting October 1st ahead of seasonal winter closures.
Anglers Covey retail manager Dillon West
Recommended Patterns
Dry Fly Patterns
- Griffith's Gnat, sizes #18-22
- Foam Beetle / Parachute Ant, sizes #14-18
- Amy's Ant, olive or purple, sizes 14-16
- Stubby chubby, orange, size 16
- Parachute Adams, sizes 16-20
Nymph Patterns
- Mayers Mini Leech, size #12
- Ice Cream Cone Chironomid, Black, sizes #12-14
- Balanced leech, bruised, sizes #10-12
- Tak's Crystal Chironomid, sizes #10-14
- Scud, Olive or Tan, sizes #14-16
Streamer Patterns
- Wooly Bugger, Brown, Black, or Olive, sizes #6-10
- Game Changer, white or brown, size #6
- Silk Kitty, yellow, size #4
- Laser legal, lighter colors, sizes #6-8
- Meat whistle, grey. size #8
Anglers Covey Bug Of The MOnth:
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 our favorite method to fish here. Don’t overlook the dry fly opportunity throughout the summer as well.
Anglers Covey Team
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.