Where to Go Spinney Reservoir

SUMMER HOURS 6 am to 6 pm Daily

Report Date: 8/25/2026

Spinney Boat Ramp Closure - The North Boat Ramp is closed to trailered launching due to low water levels. Spinney Mountain Reservoir remains open to hand-launched, motorized vessels.

CPW’s official Spinney Mountain Pike Management Tournament is underway and continues through September. It’s heavily affecting how the lake is being fished. Because sampling showed a dangerous spike in northern pike predating on young trout, CPW is offering cash prizes to remove them.

Conditions:

Spinney is in rough shape right now. The record-low snowpack winter we are coming off of has created extreme drought conditions that you can visibly see at Spinney Mountain Reservoir. The reservoir is currently sitting at just 40% of holding capacity. Because of this, what is usually submerged sand and silt is now the bank, making access difficult. This does give a unique opportunity right now to see what would be subsurface structure and gradient. Maybe get out there and drop yourself some pins!

Weather:

Short Term -

Today is scheduled to be rainy. The rain has been mild and in the early afternoon, but is huge for us right now. This is keeping the temps more mild, with the high for today at 66 degrees. Overnight temps are just starting to come down as well

Long Term -

The forecast from today continues through the rest of the week. Rain and mild temps are in store for us throughout this week. The weather does look to offer consistency with the rain storms moving in during the early afternoon hours. Get out early and watch out for thunderstorms! This coming Saturday looks like an excellent day to get out. No rain forecasted, partly cloudy and a high of 64.

Tactics:

With historically low water levels, this means the boat ramps will remain unusable for trailered boats, restricting water access to hand launching only. As mentioned above, covering water and seeking fish will help put fish in the net. The fish will be most active subsurface. Indicators will be most effective, but don't forget the dries!

Hatches:

Damsels are the main lake bug you will be seeing up top. This can also be a great subsurface play while they are active and building for their hatch. You will find them seeking underwater weed beds for food. Expect to see caddisflies around as well. As for lake-specific bugs, the Damsel flies tend to steal the show in July. Chironomids and Calibaetis are always great subsurface as well!

Tips:

From watercraft, focus on "flats" type areas in 4-8 feet of water. From shore, try to fish areas that do have some gradient to them. If you are on foot, look for weedy areas where the Damsels are helping to bring trout closer to shore.

Photo by Josh Heney

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