Fishing at Crystal Creek Reservoir, El Paso County, Colorado

• Overview

  Crystal Creek Reservoir stands in El Paso County, Colorado. The surroundings are lake country bush. Surface area is around 110 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. It is among the larger waters listed here for El Paso County. Start from Cascade-Chipita Park, 2.4 miles down the road. The nearest city of size is Colorado Springs, 12 miles away. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Crystal Creek Reservoir

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Records held for El Paso County cover rainbow trout, common carp, brook trout and green sunfish. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Crystal Creek Reservoir gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 17°F in January and 52°F in July. Winter shuts the surface down for months. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid May. Climate figures give an open season running mid May to early November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Crystal Creek Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. Facilities run to toilets half a mile from the water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. South Catamount Reservoir, 1.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Signs at Crystal Creek Reservoir carry more weight than any list.