Fountain Valley Reservoir Number 3 Fishing in El Paso County, Colorado

• Overview

  In Colorado, Fountain Valley Reservoir Number 3 belongs to El Paso County. It sits in open valley country. It covers about 9 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. For a base, Stratmoor sits 1.4 miles out. Further out sit Security-Widefield (2.7 miles) and Fort Carson (3 miles). One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Fountain Valley Reservoir Number 3

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Reported across El Paso County: rainbow trout, common carp, brook trout, green sunfish and white sucker. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At this water light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 71°F on average, January about 30°F. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. The season on this water rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Records show it does not hold water year-round. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Look for a notice board at the entrance. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. For a change of water, Quail Lake is 3.1 miles distant. Where this water is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.