Meredith Reservoir Fishing
A 5,114-acre Colorado reservoir in Crowley County at 4,256 feet.
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Meredith Reservoir: setting, size and how to reach it
Meredith Reservoir spreads over roughly 5,114 acres of Crowley County, by its mapped outline. Its surface sits near 4,256 feet above sea level. Meredith Reservoir SWA manages the ground around it. Plan supplies in Ordway, near 3 miles from the shore. In CPW terms it is a Southeast Region water.
CPW records black bullhead, black crappie, blue catfish, bluegill, channel catfish and common carp in this water. The boating entry reads Motor boats (gasoline). CPW calls access easy; pressure runs low. For hard water, CPW has ice fishing listed as no.
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
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Tap a fish to open its Colorado page, with limits and records, from Meredith Reservoir.
CPW Boatable Waters species field, CPW state records and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Launching a boat at Meredith Reservoir
CPW maps no boat ramp right on Meredith Reservoir; the nearest ones follow.
Atlas fishing locations at Meredith Reservoir
- Meredith Reservoir fishing access near Sugar Cityeasy access, stocked: warmwater, 4,256 ft
When the Meredith Reservoir ramp is crowded
- Holbrook Reservoir SWA near SwinkHolbrook Lake, 10 miles southeast
- Horse Creek Reservoir SWA near CherawHorse Creek Reservoir, 16 miles east
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Water supply gauge at Meredith Reservoir
City of Colorado Springs (Station cooperator) storage telemetry for Meredith Reservoir (Content) (station MERRESCO), recorded October 25, 2026; retrieved October 25, 2026. Provisional data from CDSS.
Colorado reservoirs rise with runoff and drop through irrigation season, so ramps at Meredith Reservoir can change by the week.
Harvest rules for Meredith Reservoir
| Species | Bag and possession | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee) | Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Brook trout 8 inches or less (bonus) | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Kokanee salmon | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Walleye, saugeye and sauger | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White bass, striped bass and wiper | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Channel, flathead and blue catfish | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White and black crappie | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Bluegill and other sunfish | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Yellow perch | Daily bag 20, possession 20 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Tiger muskie | Daily bag 1, possession 1; at least 36 inches long | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Northern pike and bullhead | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
Drainage matters for walleye, wiper and perch limits; Meredith Reservoir sits in the Arkansas and South Fork Republican drainages. Outside any special regulation, these statewide numbers govern Meredith Reservoir.
Brochure rules for Meredith Reservoir
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| Meredith Reservoir | Trot-lines and jugs permitted. | p. 29 |
Special regulations as printed in the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pp. 11 to 39, checked against CPW Chapter W-1 (as approved 13 November 2025); retrieved October 2026.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Trout stocking dates at Meredith Reservoir
CPW put Meredith Reservoir on its weekly catchable trout report 1 listing; the most recent listing is dated June 12, 2026.
| Report date | What CPW lists |
|---|---|
| June 12, 2026 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
CPW Fish Stocking Report (catchable trout of about 10 inches; the date is when CPW added the water to its weekly list), 2024 to October 2026, retrieved October 25, 2026. Colorado stocking.
How Meredith Reservoir measures up to the water around it
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meredith Reservoir | 5,114 | 4,256 | 0 | yes | |
| Ordway Reservoir | 5 miles northwest | 28 | 4,394 | 0 | yes |
| Henry Lake | 5 miles north | 1,189 | 4,368 | 0 | yes |
| Holbrook Lake | 10 miles southeast | 550 | 2 | ||
| Big Mac Pond | 10 miles south | 6 | 4,136 | 0 | |
| Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County | 17 miles east | 2,174 | 2 |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
The ground surrounding Meredith Reservoir
Other reservoirs within a drive of Meredith Reservoir
- Ordway Reservoir5 miles northwest
- Henry Lake5 miles north
- Holbrook Lake10 miles southeast
- Big Mac Pond10 miles south
- Horse Creek Reservoir, Otero County17 miles east
Beds and gas close to Meredith Reservoir
- Ordway3 miles
- Rocky Ford10 miles
- La Junta17 miles
County guides that cover Meredith Reservoir
- Crowley Countyseat: Ordway
Piscifun tackle sized for Meredith Reservoir
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Reservoirs and creeks near Meredith Reservoir in photos
Photo: Jaywm, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Before you drive to Meredith Reservoir, read these
Where in Colorado is Meredith Reservoir?
CPW maps it in Crowley County, CPW Southeast Region, about 3 miles from Ordway.
How many acres does Meredith Reservoir cover on CPW maps?
Close to 5,114 acres by the CPW outline, at about 4,256 feet.
Which ramp do boaters back down at Meredith Reservoir?
CPW maps none here; try a neighbor.
Which gamefish does CPW tie to Meredith Reservoir?
CPW lists black bullhead, black crappie, blue catfish, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp and largemouth bass.
Does the brochure print a special rule for Meredith Reservoir?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate. Extra rules from the brochure apply; they are above.
Can an out-of-state visitor fish Meredith Reservoir on a short license?
Colorado sells no separate trout stamp; a CPW fishing license covers trout ($44.87 for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents), and anglers 16 and older need one.
When did CPW last list Meredith Reservoir for trout?
The report carries 1 listing on the CPW catchable trout report (1 in 2026); latest June 12, 2026.
Where can I pick up bait on the way to Meredith Reservoir?
Bring supplies; the listed shops are over 30 miles off.
What does the latest reading at Meredith Reservoir show?
See Colorado Division of Water Resources telemetry in the band above.
Can I drill holes at Meredith Reservoir?
CPW lists ice fishing listed as no; no ice is ever certified safe.
Give Meredith Reservoir an early start
Buy the CPW license online before you leave.