Anglers Flock to Antero Reservoir Before Drought-Related Closure
Trevor Phipps
According to most outdoor reports, the Ute Pass region never really experienced a winter this year.
In fact, the winter was so mild that our acclaimed fishing waters have drastically changed.
In April when most lakes should first be losing ice, these bodies of water had already thawed out for a month. As a result, the ice fishing season this year only lasted about four to six weeks for most major lakes in the region.
Regular lake fishing and river fishing, meanwhile, seemed to peak earlier than normal. In most years, when the weather first starts to warm up, the fish are extra-hungry. But this season, those conditions never occurred.
However, despite the changing cycles with Mother Nature for the 2026 fishing season, anglers are still having quite a bit of luck regionally. Personally, I have had luck just about everywhere. But I can admit that the angler catches haven’t been as hot as last year.
Earlier in the season, I went to the inlet at Rampart Reservoir. The water never really froze close to the inlet, so this area was hitting well with some nice rainbow trout stockers just like on New Year’s Eve Day.
But then we went to 11 Mile Reservoir recently, and it was pretty dead. The water was stagnant with no signs of life. Nobody on the lake seemed to be catching any fish.
Then once May came, everyone seemed to want to go to Antero Reservoir to have a chance at monsters before the lake gets drained. Instead of heading out there though, I decided I wanted to miss the crowds. I ended up going to Cheeseman Reservoir and I have no regrets.
Overall, the fishing was slow at Cheeseman. I had great luck there in mid-May last year, so maybe we hit it a little too soon. We were at Cheesman for about three hours, and I caught the only fish.
However, on the upside, the fish I did catch most would consider a “monster.” The rainbow trout I reeled in clocked at 19.5 inches and three pounds! This wasn’t the biggest fish I have caught in 2026, but it was the best I have pulled out of Cheeseman.
Antero Reservoir Fishing Closes This Week
The biggest news in the Colorado fishing world has been the sad closure of Antero Reservoir. The beloved lake that is home to some record-sized fish will shut down indefinitely on Wednesday, as officials drain the lake.
The extra-dry conditions this year made Denver Water make the decision to drain the reservoir that is strictly used to help control droughts. Since the reservoir out in the plains is shallow, it must be drained to conserve the resources the Denver metro has. Cheeseman is smaller and deeper, giving it a lower evaporation rate on the surface.
There were plenty of posts online of people reeling in monster fish. The Anglers Covey fishing report stated that the fishing has been good all around the lake.
The bad news is, the area will be closed to all activity after May 12. The fishing didn’t come back for about 10 years, following the last time it was drained due to drought conditions.
Other Fishing Hotspots
Currently, 11 Mile and Spinney Reservoirs have gained a reputation as the places where anglers are having the best luck. One fishing report did state that fishing at 11 Mile has been slow on days when the lake has no wind. That’s probably why we got skunked when I went.
Trout fishing has been ranked as “good” at 11 Mile, according to the marina website. Salmon fishing though has been ranked “good” to “very good.” The 11 Mile Marina website has made social media posts showing some giant salmon.
“Have not seen a ‘bite’ like this in 5 or 6 years,” the 11 Mile Marina website states. “Two and three year old mostly. Limits being caught but we are happy just to catch them for a change. Very spot specific.”
When it comes to fishing in the Spinney Reservoir, I have heard of a lot of people having good luck. Spinney will be receiving water soon as Antero drains. But it won’t last long as it is headed downstream to Cheeseman.
But according to the experts at Anglers Covey, the water movement should help the fishing. “The fishing has been pretty good, but it’s really been dependent on the area you are fishing,” the Angler’s Covey fishing report states. “The lake is still very low and that has made the usual spots harder to access. If you are not seeing success, don’t be afraid to move a little. Fish are feeding at varied depths, but we have seen most success in that 4–7-foot range right now. This is also a great time to throw some streamers or even slow strip midge rigs.”
Personally, I have been sticking to the lakes, even though water is low at most reservoirs. The water has been just a little too low for me at the rivers in the area, making fishing them very technical.
