Right now
Live from USGS gauge 06696000 and National Weather Service.
What to tie on now
- Flies
- Midges #22–26, Baetis #20, mysis-style emerger near the dam
- Rig
- Long 6x–7x tippet and a small indicator. Sight-nymph the slow water below the dam.
Best flow range here: about 40 to 150 cfs. The live flow above tells you where today sits.
Flies checked against local shop reports on Nov 15. Ask at the local fly shop for what hatched this morning. They know before we do.
- Water
- South Platte tailwater below Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir
- Drive from Denver
- About 2.5 hours, via Woodland Park and Lake George
- Access
- Dirt canyon road with pull-offs (USFS recreation area, day-use fee)
- Best for
- Pocket water, plus big fish just below the dam
- Season
- Year-round below the dam
- Gauge
- USGS 06696000, South Platte near Lake George
- Dogs
- National forest land. Leashed dogs are generally fine; check posted rules
Where to park
Eleven Mile Canyon entrance station
- From US-24 in Lake George, take County Road 96 south and stay right at the fork to the entrance station.
- About $10 per vehicle day-use fee, paid at the entrance. State parks passes don't count here.
- Pull-offs all the way up the dirt road. The fly-only water is from the dam down to Springer Gulch.
Lots, fees and hours change. Check posted signs when you arrive.
Overview
Below Elevenmile Dam, the South Platte drops through a granite canyon with a dirt road beside it. The road gives you mile after mile of pull-offs and pocket water. The section right below the dam holds some very large, very pressured trout.
Two different fisheries
- Near the dam: big fish, technical water, light tippet and tiny flies. Expect company.
- The lower canyon: more fish, fewer people, faster pocket water. Short-line nymphing and dry-droppers work well.
Flies
- Winter: midges, #22–26.
- Spring and fall: Baetis. Near the dam, mysis-style patterns can work when they wash through.
- Summer: caddis, PMDs and attractor dries in the lower canyon.
Practical notes
The canyon is a fee recreation area, so bring cash or a pass. It's shaded and cold in winter, so fish the sunny stretches midday. Check the Atlas for the special regulations near the dam.
Canyon tactics
In the pocket water, short-line nymphing with little or no indicator lets you control the drift through the many small seams. In the slow water near the dam, sight-fish with long, light tippet and tiny flies. The fish there have seen thousands of drifts, so stealth matters more than the pattern.
Pairing it with the Dream Stream
Elevenmile Canyon and the Dream Stream sit on either end of Elevenmile Reservoir. On a long day, anglers fish one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, depending on wind and crowds.
Know before you go
- Check the live gauge the morning you go. A release change can turn a good day into a slow one.
- Read the exact stretch's rules in the CPW Fishing Atlas, since special regulations vary within a river.
- Carry a current Colorado fishing license. Annual licenses run April 1 through March 31.
- Check the road: COtrip for I-70, US-285 and US-24 in winter.
- Pack for the season: in cold months, gloves, hand warmers, a thermos and traction for icy banks.
Where to eat and gear up
Stops in Lake George. Dog-friendly means leashed dogs on the patio; call to confirm, especially in winter.
| Stop | Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Water Cafe | Food | Breakfast burritos, next to the fly shop |
| Fat BBQ Shack | Food | Brisket. Order early, it's slow |
| The Buffalo | Food | Sit-down dinner |
| Tumbling Trout | Fly shop / tackle | Dream Stream + Elevenmile flies & reports |
Questions anglers ask
- Is there a fee for Elevenmile Canyon?
- The canyon is a Forest Service recreation area with a day-use fee. Check current rates before you go.
- Where are the biggest fish in Elevenmile Canyon?
- Just below the dam. Those fish are heavily pressured, so plan on tiny flies, light tippet and a careful approach.
- Is Elevenmile Canyon good in winter?
- The water just below the dam stays fishable in winter. The canyon is shaded and cold, so fish the sunny stretches midday.
- Where can I buy flies or tackle near Elevenmile Canyon?
- Tumbling Trout is the closest shop. Dream Stream + Elevenmile flies & reports.
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