Hartsel · CO · United States
Hartsel Ranch
Historic Hartsel Ranch on Colorado's South Platte River offers year-round fly and wade fishing for brown trout, rainbows, and pike across three miles of private Gold Medal water. Lodging in historic lodge and cabins.
At a Glance
Historic Hartsel Ranch on Colorado's South Platte River...
Hartsel Ranch sits in South Park, Colorado, on the South Platte River at 9,000 feet elevation, offering 14 rooms across a historic main lodge and cabins for up to 28 guests. The property controls three miles of private Gold Medal water on the South Platte, plus guided access to Spinney Mountain Reservoir (rainbows and cutthroats averaging 17–20 inches), Eleven Mile Reservoir (17-inch average with kokanee and carp), and the Dream Stream section between the two reservoirs, famed for trophy browns. Spring and fall bring peak hatches and aggressive feeding; winter offers solitude and large trout in clear water; summer provides pleasant conditions despite afternoon thunderstorms. Rates include lodging, continental breakfast, access to private and public waters, and guided trips with gear provided; Colorado license, alcohol, and flights are extra.
Fly FishingPrimary Method
Jan-DecSeason
RanchProperty Style
Hartsel · CO · United StatesLocation
Location
Hartsel Ranch
Hartsel, CO, United States
Approximate location
Species & Seasons
Target species and seasons
Yellow PerchAvailable
Northern PikeAvailable
Common CarpAvailable
Lake TroutAvailable
Tiger TroutAvailable
Rio Grande Cutthroat TroutAvailable
Methods
Fishing methods and approaches
Hartsel Ranch offers a year-round fly fishing experience on the South Platte River, with distinct opportunities throughout the seasons. The spring and fall are particularly noted for their excellent trout fishing, with hatches becoming more active and the fish feeding aggressively. Summer provides pleasant weather for fishing, though the high country can experience afternoon thunderstorms. Winter offers a unique, serene experience with fewer anglers and the possibility of catching large trout in clear, cold water, provided conditions are safe.\n\nThe ranch provides access to three miles of private water on the South Platte River, renowned for its Gold Medal status. Additionally, guests have access to nearby Antero, Spinney Mountain, and Eleven Mile reservoirs, which offer diverse stillwater fishing opportunities. Spinney Mountain Reservoir is highlighted for its exceptional trout fishing, with rainbows, cutthroat, browns, and pike, and an average trout size of 17-20 inches. Eleven Mile Reservoir also boasts a robust population of trout, with an average of 17 inches and many larger specimens, along with kokanee salmon and carp. Antero Reservoir is noted for its brown and rainbow trout, though it was closed for 2026 at the time of this writing. The 'Dream Stream' section of the South Platte, between Spinney and Eleven Mile, is famed for trophy-sized trout.
Fly FishingPrimary
Wade FishingAvailable
Bottom FishingAvailable
Fly FishingAvailable
FreshwaterAvailable
Guided TripsAvailable
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