Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Lakes ยท South Platte Basin
Spinney Mountain Reservoir in South Park is one of Colorado's best-known trophy stillwaters, with big rainbows, browns, cutbows and northern pike. It is Gold Medal water and a fly angler's favorite at ice-off.
Looking for the latest Spinney Mountain Reservoir fishing report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with current conditions, wind, stocking news and the flies working now at Spinney Mountain Reservoir.
Water level
Wind forecast
Spinney Mountain Reservoir fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Spinney is cold, and ice is on the way. The state park closes Spinney for the winter once ice comes in and reopens it after ice-off in spring, so check the park before you drive.
Until then, fish slow along the shoreline drop-offs with a balanced leech or chironomid under an indicator. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is also working to cut down the pike here.
Stocking report
Recent trout stocking from Colorado Parks and Wildlife's weekly report.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Spinney Mountain Reservoir, bring: Balanced Leech #10-12, Chironomid #14-18, Thin Mint Woolly Bugger #8-10, Scud #14-16, Callibaetis Nymph #14-16, Balanced Bou Leech #10-12, Slump Buster #6-8, Egg #12-14, Clouser Minnow #2-6, Pitching Leech #10.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir lake details
| Access | Spinney Mountain State Park, off County Road 23 and 59 between Hartsel and Lake George. A state parks pass is required. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,700 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 113 miles, roughly 2 hours 40 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Ice-off in spring through fall |
| Fish | Large rainbows, browns and cutbows, plus northern pike |
| Regulations | Gold Medal water. Flies and lures only, with special trout limits. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 to 10 ft leaders, 4X to 5X fluorocarbon tippet |
| Ice fishing | The park closes for the winter at ice-on. No ice fishing. |
| Camping | No camping at Spinney. Elevenmile State Park campgrounds are close. |
| Kids | Partly. Open shoreline, but it is very windy and cold. |
| Good to know | Wind is the big factor here. Check the wind forecast and plan around it. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Closed for the winter.
Spring
Ice-off brings the best fishing of the year, with fish cruising the shallows.
Summer
Callibaetis, damsels and chironomids. Mornings are best before the wind.
Fall
Big browns and rainbows feed hard before ice-on.
How to get there
Take US-285 southwest to Hartsel, then US-24 east and County Road 23 south to Spinney Mountain State Park.