Fishing at Manitou Reservoir, El Paso County, Colorado

• Overview

  In Colorado, Manitou Reservoir belongs to El Paso County. It lies 8,947 feet above sea level. Roughly 26 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Manitou Springs sits 4.4 miles from the bank. Cascade-Chipita Park is 4.7 miles and Woodland Park 8.8 miles. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Manitou Reservoir

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. El Paso County records list rainbow trout, common carp, brook trout and green sunfish among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Work Manitou Reservoir in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 59°F; by January the average is down near 23°F. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Ice-out usually falls in mid April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. The season between ice runs from about mid April to late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Manitou Reservoir fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Should this one be busy, Crystal Creek Reservoir is 3.4 miles off. What applies at Manitou Reservoir may have changed since it was mapped.