I've been fishing South Park reservoirs for years, and Antero has always been the quieter option — a little harder to access, a little more remote, and worth it when you hit it right. So I'll be honest: the draw-down news stings. But the reality is that the dam needs work, the project is happening regardless, and the best thing we can do is understand the timeline and fish elsewhere in the meantime.
What's Actually Happening
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) confirmed that Antero Reservoir is being drained to allow for rehabilitation work on the Antero Dam. The draw-down started in spring 2026. At its lowest point, water levels will be dramatically reduced — we're not talking a few feet, we're talking a near-empty reservoir.
The project timeline runs through 2026 and likely into 2027. CPW has not given a hard reopening date, which tells you something: these projects almost always run long. The Antero Dam is old infrastructure and dam rehabilitation is not a quick job.
During the draw-down period, fishing access to Antero is significantly limited. Even if CPW keeps some portions open, the fish are going to be stressed, crowded into shrinking water, and heavily targeted by both anglers and birds of prey. This is not a fishery worth making a long drive for right now.
Timeline at a Glance
| Period | Status |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 (now) | Draw-down in progress |
| Summer–Fall 2026 | Dam rehabilitation work |
| 2027 (estimated) | Refill begins — fishing not viable yet |
| 2028+ | Possible return to fishable condition |
These dates are estimates based on CPW communications. The rehabilitation schedule can shift. Check CPW's official site for the latest updates before making any trip plans to Antero.
Where I'm Fishing Instead: Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile
Here's the thing — if you were fishing Antero, you were already fishing in South Park. And South Park has two of the finest trophy trout reservoirs in the state within 20 minutes of each other. This is not a consolation prize situation. Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile are both legitimately great fisheries, and in a lot of ways they're better than Antero was on a typical day.
I fish both of these 4–5 days a week. I know the depths, the seasonal patterns, and what produces fish when nothing seems to be working. Here's the short version:
- Spinney Mountain —Gold Medal water. Trophy rainbows and browns that average bigger than anything you'd pull from Antero on a good day. My standard trolling spread at 80ft produces consistently through spring and summer. Launch from the East Ramp for quick access to the productive mid-lake basin.
- Eleven Mile —More water, more fish, and the pike fishery is worth targeting on its own. I run my full 4-rod spread at Eleven Mile on calm mornings and it rarely disappoints. The north arm holds big trout through the summer when Spinney gets crowded on weekends.
The Gear Still Works
Everything you'd use at Antero — a 4-rod trolling spread, spoons at depth, a fish finder to read the thermocline — works exactly the same at Spinney and Eleven Mile. The South Park reservoirs all fish similarly: clear water, cold temps even in summer, trophy trout stacked at 60–90ft during the warm months.
If you don't have a trolling setup yet, or you're thinking about upgrading before you start hitting Spinney and Eleven Mile more seriously, I wrote up the exact 4-rod trolling system I run every week. Every rod, every reel, every lure, with real depth and speed data from this season.
The fish finder is the piece most anglers skip and then regret. Spinney and Eleven Mile have complex bottom structure — without sonar, you're guessing at depths. With it, you can dial in the productive zone fast and stop wasting time in dead water.
Bottom Line
Antero will come back eventually. These dam rehabilitation projects are temporary, and when the reservoir refills and CPW restocks, it'll fish well again — probably better than before, actually, since the fish population will recover from clean water with a fresh food base.
But that's a 2028 story at the earliest. For now, point the truck toward Spinney Mountain or Eleven Mile and fish the best water South Park has to offer while Antero takes a season off. You're not going to miss much.
I'll keep posting weekly reports from both reservoirs — current conditions, what's producing, and exactly where I'm marking fish. Bookmark the reports page if you want to know what's happening on the water before you drive up.
Ready to fish Spinney or Eleven Mile?
See the exact trolling setup Paul runs every week — rods, reels, lures, depths, and speed — all in one guide.
Read the 4-Rod Trolling Guide →