What activities are available at Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir?

Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir offers Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Walking, Bird Watching.

What amenities does Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir have?

Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir has Vault Toilets, Parking, Unpaved Trail.

Where is Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir located?

Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir is located in Teller County, Colorado.

Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir

reservoir

Teller County, Colorado

4.4(41 reviews)

About Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir

Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir is a 72-acre mountain lake at 9,649 feet in the Pike National Forest, about an hour southwest of Colorado Springs in Teller County. Managed as a Colorado State Wildlife Area, the reservoir serves as a municipal water supply for Colorado Springs, which means swimming, wading, and all water contact are strictly prohibited. What the reservoir does offer is some of the best trout fishing along the Front Range in a setting that feels far more remote than its proximity to the city would suggest.

The reservoir holds rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, and brown trout, with occasional catfish and carp. This is an artificial flies and lures only water, so leave the bait at home. Shore fishing is productive, and float tubes are permitted for anglers who want to reach deeper water. Visitors regularly report catching double-digit trout on streamers, and the fishing pressure stays light compared to more accessible Front Range reservoirs. The combination of restrictive regulations and a moderately difficult access road keeps the crowds thin.

Reaching the reservoir requires a drive of roughly 10 miles on a dirt road from the Gold Camp Road area. The road is rocky and uneven in places, and while some visitors have managed it in passenger cars, a vehicle with higher ground clearance makes the trip far more comfortable. There is a small parking area at the end of the road, followed by a half-mile walk downhill to the water on a defined trail. The return trip is uphill, so factor that into your energy budget.

Because Penrose-Rosemont is a State Wildlife Area, a valid Colorado hunting or fishing license or public lands pass is required for anyone entering the area. Fishing is permitted from mid-May through October, with daily hours of 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Ice fishing is not allowed, and the area closes when the reservoir freezes over. Dogs are prohibited, and there is no bait fishing of any kind.

The reservoir sits in a beautiful mountain setting with views of surrounding forested ridges. A vault toilet is available near the shore, but there are no other developed facilities. Pack out all trash, and respect the water-supply restrictions that keep this fishery accessible to the public. A shooting range operates nearby, so occasional noise is part of the experience. Despite that minor distraction, Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir remains one of the Front Range's best-kept secrets for quality trout fishing in a peaceful mountain setting.

Reviews (10)

Cole Kolonay

Beautiful lake and beautiful fish

crimson706

Very beautiful but all fenced off.

Valerie Crawford

Perfect secluded mountain fishing experience 👌

Tiarnan Lynch

Beautiful place. Very easy to catch trout, try using the lure in my pic. You need a car with good ground clearance though. I drove here in my small honda civic coupe and hit the bottom of the car a couple times with large rocks. There were times I was thinking of going back because of gaps in the road that were big enough to get my car stuck. Most people come here with a jeep. Don’t make my mistake, if you’re stuck, there is no signal to phone for help

Donavon Wright

No longer open to the public

Big Daddy

Amazing fishing for brook trout and rainbows. They love a variety of dry flies.

Ray Chen

What a beautiful and pristine place. Parking lot is not well defined (38.730473, -104.950230), and it is easy to mistakenly drive to the water utility company access route. There are plenty of signs at the gate to let you know not to go there, so you will be fine if you were to follow all posted signs (will go into it more below.) Once parked, there is a tiny foot traffic gate across the road that leads to the main sign, well hidden from view (by design?). Walk down the path for about 0.5 mile, and you will be greeted by the large body of water. There is even a restroom, but I had to bring my own trash back up. The return trip is all uphill, so be prepared for a decent climb. Fishing is the easiest place I've ever done, and it is not hard to catch double digits within a few hours using streamers. It is artificial flies and lures only, but I can easily see bait fishmen's leftovers. I also see campfire remains, and I had to talk a group of kayakers from entering the water. CPW really needs to do some enforcements to preserve this place. I think there is a shooting range close by, so you will have to bear with the noise pollution from it now and then. Lastly, the drive is not hard, but you will have a way easier time if you bring an SUV or something with a higher clearance for the 10 miles dirt road from Colorado Springs. I did the first trip with my hatchback, and I had to go about 1/2 of the speed as everyone else.

juli adams

Caught a nice trout, and we were the only ones fishing on a Sunday! No dogs or bait allowed. It is also cooler than the surrounding area, so plan accordingly.

Mark Snow

Still frozen in early April (not sure what I was thinking at 10,500 feet!). Nice little walk from parking down hill to the edge of the res. We will be back in the summer when it’s all thawed out. Snow on parts of the trail. No ice fishing so an exploratory hike but nothing else.

Lisa Cota

Beautiful! Easy walk on the trail for the kids.