South Park's reservoirs draw anglers, and fishing rules change by water

The reservoirs of South Park, in the South Platte River basin, make up one of the better-known fishing areas in the state. Waters like Spinney Mountain, Eleven Mile, and Antero sit along the South Platte itself, while Tarryall Reservoir sits on Tarryall Creek, and together they draw anglers from across the Front Range.

The thing to know is that Colorado has statewide fishing rules, and many waters carry their own special regulations on top of them. From one reservoir to the next, the rules on bait and gear, what you can keep, and which seasons apply can differ. Some stretches carry special designations or restrictions, and these can change from year to year. A reservoir and the river below its dam may also be managed differently.

Access itself can change, too. Several of these reservoirs sit on or near land tied to a water utility or to state wildlife management, and a water can close to recreation for operations, drought response, or fishery work — Antero, for example, has been closed at times for exactly those reasons. Access points and on-site rules are posted for a reason.

Because regulations, designations, and access can all shift, do not rely on last season’s memory or a secondhand tip. Check the current rules and status for the specific water with Colorado Parks and Wildlife — its fishing pages and current fishing brochure — before you go.