Where to Go Spinney Reservoir
Current Reports
SUMMER HOURS 6 am to 6 pm Daily
Current Conditions
Report Date: 7/24/2026
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.
Water levels at Spinney Mountain Reservoir remain low. Aurora Water is reporting the level is currently at 56% of total holding capacity. This can make fishing tough but also creates a unique opportunity to see some of what would otherwise be underwater gradient. Keep seeing structure and drop-offs to be prime holding zones for the big trout. Covering water will help bring success. Getting out on a watercraft can help increase success immensely! That said, fishing can still be done from shore. Explore the coves and look for weed beds. These areas are refuge for trout.
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.
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
Weather:
Short Term- We are finally seeing the monsoons everyone has been teasing. Today, the weather is warm with excellent cloud cover, and afternoon rains are expected. Keep an eye on lightning if you are out and exposed!
Long Term- The storm from above looks to continue throughout the week. Rain and clouds are forecasted to be mainstays through the week this week. This is just what the doctor ordered to help fill one of our favorite mountain reservoirs.
NOW BOOKING STILLWATER TRIPS FOR 2026! KAYAK, FLOAT TUBE, OR WALK/WADE. EXPERIENCE OUR WORLD-CLASS STILLWATER WITH ONE OF OUR EXPERTS!
- Galloups Callibaetis, size 16
- Bubba's Callibaetis, size 16
- Rowley's Grey Boy, size 14
- Balanced leather leach, black/olive, size 10
- Poxyback callibaetis, size 16
Top Dry Flies for today:
- Parachute Adams, sizes 14-16
- Hackle Stacker callibaetis, size 16
- Sparkle dun callie, size 16
- Double dirty Hippie, brown, size 2
- Humdinger, tan, size 2
- Double Gonga, grey, size 4
- Baby Swim Coach, brown/yellow, size 4
See below for Spinney Mountain Reservoir Map, or CLICK HERE for a downloadable PDF.
Spinney Reservoir is one of the best stillwater fisheries in the entire western US. The regulations are flies and lures only and you can harvest one trout over 20 inches. Fish species include: Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Brown Trout, Cuttbow trout, yellow perch, and Northern Pike. There are two boat ramps and several parking areas around the reservoir. It is a $9.00 daily pass fee to get in. Anglers bringing a boat make sure to clean it thoroughly because they are now inspecting for Zebra Mussels.
This is an area we specialize and are permitted to guide in, so give us a shot if you have any question or if you interested in allowing one of our Orvis-Endorsed guides to show you how to conquer Spinney Reservoir.