Lower Chinns Reservoir Fishing in Clear Creek County, Colorado

• Overview

  Lower Chinns Reservoir sits within Clear Creek County in Colorado. It sits at 11,050 feet above sea level. Some 7.6 miles away sits Georgetown, the nearest settlement. Boulder is the closest city, 26 miles away. Within a short run: Upper Chinns Reservoir (0.2 miles), Fall River Reservoir within 0.3 miles, Slater Lake (0.5 miles), Lake Caroline within 1.4 miles and Reynolds Lake (1.6 miles). It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Lower Chinns Reservoir

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Survey and observation records for Clear Creek County include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Lower Chinns Reservoir gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 53°F, with January the cold end at about 19°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid May. In an average year the thaw lands around mid May and the freeze near early November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. At Lower Chinns Reservoir the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Upper Chinns Reservoir sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Lower Chinns Reservoir is worth confirming on the day.