Fishing near Colorado Springs, Colorado
El Paso County, population 478,961.
- 4 milesto nearest lake
- 1ramp nearby
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Rampart Reservoir: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Water within reach of Colorado Springs
The 2020 Census counted 478,961 people in Colorado Springs, a city of El Paso County. Prospect Lake is the nearest lake with a page, about 4 miles southwest. The list below peaks in size with Rampart Reservoir, 446 acres. Closest ramp on the CPW map: Rampart Reservoir boat ramp, 13 miles.
For a stream, try the Bear Creek, El Paso County, 10 miles from town. 36 miles separates town from Gold Medal miles on the Arkansas River. Waters near town appear 49 times on the CPW trout stocking report since 2024.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Colorado Springs; distances are straight lines.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Lakes to fish from Colorado Springs
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Notes | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prospect Lake | 4 miles southwest | 46 | 6,078 | gas motors, trout stocked | black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish |
| Pike View Reservoir | 4 miles northwest | 9 | 6,173 | no boats, trout stocked | |
| Quail Lake | 6 miles southwest | 17 | 5,938 | no motors, trout stocked | black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill |
| Willow Springs Pond #1 | 10 miles south | 4 | 5,540 | no boats | |
| Rampart Reservoir | 13 miles northwest | 446 | 9,004 | gas motors, trout stocked | brown trout, cutbow, lake trout |
| Rosemont Reservoir | 14 miles southwest | 50 | 9,659 | no boats, trout stocked |
Rivers and forks by Colorado Springs
- Bear Creek, El Paso County10 miles, 1 reach with special rules (6.1 mi)
- North Cheyenne Creek12 miles, 1 reach with special rules (4.9 mi)
- Severy Creek14 miles, 1 reach with special rules (4.1 mi)
CPW Fishing Atlas waterbodies and Boatable Waters species; CPW special-regulation and Gold Medal stream layers. Retrieved October 2026.
Colorado Springs fishing map
- Rampart Reservoir boat rampRampart Reservoir, 13 miles
Fishing from shore around Colorado Springs
- Prospect Lake fishing access near Colorado Springs, Memorial Park 2Prospect Lake, 4 miles
- Prospect Lake fishing access near Colorado Springs, Memorial ParkProspect Lake, 4 miles
- Prospect Lake fishing access near Colorado Springs, Memorial Park 3Prospect Lake, 4 miles
- Pike View Reservoir fishing access near Colorado Springs, Pikeview Reservoir #1Pike View Reservoir, 4 miles
- Pike View Reservoir fishing access near Colorado Springs, Pikeview Reservoir #1 3Pike View Reservoir, 4 miles
- Pike View Reservoir fishing access near Colorado Springs, Pikeview Reservoir #1 2Pike View Reservoir, 4 miles
CPW boat ramps and Fishing Atlas fishing locations, retrieved October 2026.
Where trout are stocked near Colorado Springs
| Water | Listings | By year | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prospect Lake | 14 | 2026: 4, 2025: 6, 2024: 4 | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Pike View Reservoir | 10 | 2026: 4, 2025: 4, 2024: 2 | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Quail Lake | 16 | 2026: 4, 2025: 6, 2024: 6 | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Rampart Reservoir | 9 | 2026: 3, 2025: 3, 2024: 3 | July 31, 2026 |
CPW Fish Stocking Report (catchable trout, about 10 inches; each listing is a week the water appeared on the report, 2024 to October 2026); CPW publishes no numbers or sizes per water. Retrieved October 2026.
Discharge readings close to Colorado Springs
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Monument Creek At Bijou St. At Colo. Springs, Co | 14 cfs, 3.67 ft gage height | Oct 27 10:45 pm |
| Cottonwood Ck At Union Blvd, At Colo Springs, Co | 4 cfs, 10.93 ft gage height | Oct 27 11:05 pm |
| Monument Creek At Pikeview, Co. | 16 cfs, 3.81 ft gage height | Oct 27 10:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 27, 2026 11:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Fishing help around Colorado Springs
Where to buy line and lures near Colorado Springs
- Sportsman's Warehouse Colorado Springssporting goods store, Colorado Springs, 2 miles
- Roadrunner Baitbait and tackle shop, Colorado Springs, 2 miles
- Peak Fly Shopfly shop, Colorado Springs, 3 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse N. Colorado Springssporting goods store, N. Colorado Springs, 4 miles
- Anglers Covey Fly Shopfly shop, Colorado Springs, 6 miles
- Pikes Peak Outfitterbait and tackle shop, Colorado Springs, 6 miles
- Colorado Tackle Probait and tackle shop, Colorado Springs, 6 miles
- SCHEELS Colorado Springssporting goods store, Colorado Springs, 9 miles
Outfitters who fish Colorado Springs
- (719)Flyfly fishing guide, Colorado Springs, (719) 999-0142
- Angler's Covey, Inc.fishing guide, Colorado Springs
- Canopy Flyfishing LLCfly fishing guide, Colorado Springs
Yellow Pages listings and chain store locators; DORA outfitter roster (business city or county). Retrieved October 2026.
What Colorado Springs anglers may keep
The annual license runs $44.87 with Colorado residency and $124.01 without it, while resident seniors pay $12.96. Short stays can use the $21.90 nonresident day license; residents pay $18.07. Fishing with two lines means buying the $14.24 second-rod stamp. The Arkansas and South Republican drainage zone covers the water near Colorado Springs.
| Species | Limit | 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 |
Statewide limits chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10. Lake and stream pages list special regulations.
The ground surrounding Colorado Springs
Beds and gas close to Colorado Springs
- Cimarron Hills3 miles
- Stratmoor7 miles
- Manitou Springs8 miles
- Security-Widefield8 miles
- Air Force Academy10 miles
County guides that cover Colorado Springs
- El Paso CountyCPW Southeast Region
Piscifun tackle sized for Colorado Springs
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Reservoirs and creeks near Colorado Springs in photos
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: PEO ACWA, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Questions from visitors bunking in Colorado Springs
How many miles separate Colorado Springs from still water?
Prospect Lake, 4 miles southwest.
Which CPW ramp is the shortest tow from Colorado Springs?
Closest: Rampart Reservoir boat ramp, 13 miles.
Is an accessible fishing pier close to Colorado Springs?
Prospect Lake fishing access near Colorado Springs, Memorial Park 2, about 4 miles off (accessible fishing area).
Who sells tackle around Colorado Springs?
Sportsman's Warehouse Colorado Springs, 2 miles away.
Can Colorado Springs anglers reach Gold Medal water?
The Arkansas River, 36 miles away, with 108.4 Gold Medal miles.
Which county guide on this site includes Colorado Springs?
It lies in El Paso County.
Which lakes near Colorado Springs allow ice fishing?
CPW notes show no ice fishing at the lakes below.
When is fishing open near Colorado Springs?
Colorado keeps water open year round; only special regulations close some.
Do Colorado Springs visitors need a license?
Visitors can buy a $21.90 day license, a $41.04 five-day license or the $124.01 annual.
Which lakes around Colorado Springs receive catchable trout?
Yes; nearby waters appear 49 times on the CPW catchable trout report since 2024, most recently Prospect Lake on Oct. 2, 2026.
Plan a morning out of Colorado Springs
Ramp pages give directions and CPW notes.