LAKE GEORGE, Colo. — Anglers, get ready. Opening day at Spinney Mountain Reservoir is this Saturday.
The state park will open for both boating and shore fishing for the 2019 season at 5:39 a.m. (sunrise) on April 27.
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Opening weekend at Spinney is a tradition for many, attracting anglers from across the state.
The reservoir is one of only three gold medal lakes in Colorado, known for its trophy rainbow trout. Because the lake has been closed all winter, the start of the season is regarded as one of the best times to fish Spinney as hungry fish will be looking for food along the shoreline.
"Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks 10-12 inch trout through the ice each winter, enabling them to continue to feed and grow before the park opens in the spring," said Park Manager Jacob Dewhirst in a release. "They are less likely to be preyed upon by the northern pike in the winter since the pike’s metabolism slows down and they become less active, while the trout remain active throughout the winter."
Only artificial flies and lures are allowed (no bait) and the bag limit is one trout that must be at least 20 inches. There is no bag limit on pike.
Boaters must launch from the North Boat Ramp on Sunday due to the current water level of the reservoir. The South Boat Ramp is expected to open in late May.
To prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS), including zebra and quagga mussels, all boats must be inspected before launch, and again before exiting the park.
Vehicles may begin lining up at the entrance gate at 7 p.m. on April 26. The first 250 people lined up will receive a free commemorative sticker, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The nearby Eleven Mile Reservoir, another popular fishing destination, will open to boating on Monday, April 29.
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