Where to Go Elevenmile Reservoir
Current Reports
Open 9 am to 6 pm Daily
Report Date: 9/18/2026
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
Mid-September brings prime early-autumn transitions across the reservoir. As surface temperatures drop, large kokanee salmon begin staging near the eastern dam/outlet structure and the western river inlet, while resident rainbow, cutbow, and brown trout aggressively invade shallow weed flats, rocky points, and submerged ledge drop-offs to feed before winter. With high clarity, trout are quick to spot heavy line slaps or unnatural movement, but mid-day wind chop provides cover to stalk fish along shallow structure.
Weather:
Short Term -
Highs reaching upper 50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit. Cold September mornings with near-freezing temperatures give way to direct high-altitude sun, followed by gusty afternoon winds sweeping across South Park.
Long Term -
Daytime highs hover in the 50s Fahrenheit with overnight lows dropping into the 20s. Overcast fall days accelerate surface cooling, triggering extended feeding windows along windward shores and shallow weed edges through the warmest hours of the afternoon.
Tactics:
Target horizontal structure transitions where shallow weed beds meet open gravel or deep water drops. Deploy long, light fluorocarbon leaders with slow-intermediate sinking lines or static indicator rigs set directly above the submerged weed canopy. Retrieve leech, scud, or damselfly nymph patterns with long, slow draws and extended pauses, allowing the flies to hover in the strike zone. For staging salmon or deep-water trout near rocky structure, utilize weighted nymph or streamer setups retrieved with steady, erratic twitches.
Hatches:
Crisp September mornings start with midge pupae emerging in protected coves and calm weed pockets. Midday shifts toward active aquatic life in the weed beds, including dense populations of freshwater scuds, damselfly nymphs, water boatmen, and backswimmers. Overcast conditions spark localized olive mayfly hatches along windward banks.
Tips:
Position yourself along windward shorelines where breezes blow directly into the bank; wave action breaks up surface glare, dislodges crustaceans from weed beds, and masks leader entry. Focus early morning efforts near the western river inlet where cooling inflows concentrate active fish, then transition to southern rocky points and weed transitions as the sun warms the shallow flats.
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Recommended Fly Patterns
Dry Fly Patterns
- Parachute Adams, sizes #14-16
- Renegade, sizes #14-16
- Amy's Ant, red, sizes #14-16
Nymph Patterns
- Bubba's Callibaetis, size #16
- Galloups Callibaetis, size #16
- Rowley's grey bot, size #14
- Balanced leather leach, black/olive, size #10
- Damsel Nymph, size #14
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.