Bison Reservoir near Cripple Creek: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Bison Reservoir is a Teller County water, in Colorado. Country round the bank runs to mixed forest. It measures about 97 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The nearest town is Cripple Creek, 5.6 miles away. Then Manitou Springs, 11 miles, and Cascade-Chipita Park, 13 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Bison Reservoir

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Teller County records list brook trout, rainbow trout, black-spotted cutthroat trout, brown trout and lake trout among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. The shape of Bison Reservoir rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 51°F; the cold one sits at 17°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Break-up comes around late May, and the run that follows is short and strong. Break-up near late May, freeze-up near early November: that is the shape of an average year. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Bison Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Cripple Creek Reservoir Number 3 sits 2.3 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Bison Reservoir.