Homestake Reservoir in Eagle County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Set in Eagle County, Colorado, this is Homestake Reservoir. It sits at 10,282 feet above sea level. The water covers around 333 acres, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. The margin runs to about 4.0 miles in total. It is the biggest water on our Eagle County list. Leadville North is the closest town at 11 miles. Lakewood is the closest city, 78 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Homestake Reservoir

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Across Eagle County, recorded fish include brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Take Homestake Reservoir a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 51°F in July and bottom out at 14°F in January. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. After late May the shallows warm and the fish move up. The lid tends to go about late May and return around early November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Anyone fishing Homestake Reservoir regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Lake Esther at 1.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Homestake Reservoir as something to verify.