Where to Go Elevenmile Reservoir
Current Reports
Open 9 am to 6 pm Daily
Report Date: 11/7/2026
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
Elevenmile Reservoir is holding steady at late-fall open-water levels, with inflow near 91 CFS. The North Shore ramps and Witcher's Cove are closed to trailered launching for the season, though hand-launched human-powered craft and bank fishing remain active. Water clarity is clear, with surface temperatures near 48 degrees. Resident rainbow, brown, cutbow trout, and northern pike are patrolling shallow shoreline shelves, Rodgers Mountain drop-offs, and weed edges.
Weather:
Short Term -
The near-term forecast features frigid morning starts in the 20s warming into the upper 40s under sunny afternoon skies. Open-basin winds are common, creating heavy surface wave chop along exposed shores. This wave action conceals leader profiles and pushes dislodged forage directly into shallow shoreline feeding zones.
Long Term -
Moving deeper into November, freezing overnight temperatures in the teens will cause early morning skim ice along quiet coves such as Witchers Cove and Corral Creek. Shorter daylight hours and biting winds will drop overall water temperatures toward the freezing mark, narrowing the shoreline fishing window to a tight three- to four-hour midday period until ice caps the reservoir.
Hatches:
Food availability is focused on midges, with steady subsurface drifts of larvae and pupae present in soft silt beds and weed pockets. Chironomids remain active during sunny, calm midday windows. Trout are also foraging on scuds, damselfly nymphs, aquatic worms, crayfish, and small forage fish along gravel drop-offs.
Tactics:
Target windward points, shallow weedbed edges, and drop-offs around Rodgers Mountain and Rocking Chair. Suspending balanced patterns, tube jigs, or casting spoons and Kastmasters along shoreline drop-offs work well for intercepting trout and pike cruising along key depth breaks.
Tips:
Target shorelines receiving direct wind and wave turbulence, as the churn dislodges food and attracts feeding fish into the shallows. Delay your arrival until late morning when the sun warms the shallow flats. Finally, layer up with windproof outerwear and wear sturdy wading boots for safe footing on icy shorelines.

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Recommended Fly Patterns
Dry Fly Patterns
- Parachute Callibaetis, sizes #16-18
- Parachute Adams, sizes #14-16
- Renegade, sizes #14-16
- Amy's Ant, red, sizes #14-16
Nymph Patterns
- Ice Cream Cone Chironomid, Black/Red or Olive, sizes #16-20
- Epoxy Back Scud, Tan or Olive, sizes #14-16
- Flashback Pheasant Tail, sizes #16-18
- Balanced leather leech, black/olive, size #10
- Callibaetis Nymph, sizes #16-18
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.
