Eleven Mile State Park officials will open the reservoir to boating for the season April 7. The North Shore Boat Ramp will be open each day from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset through October. Night time boating is prohibited at Eleven Mile Reservoir. 

"All boats must be inspected for zebra and quagga mussels and other aquatic nuisance species before they are allowed to go out on the water," said Jacob Dewhirst, park manager of Eleven Mile. "Due to the Discovery of Eurasian Water Milfoil (an aquatic plant) and New Zealand Mud Snails in the reservoir six years ago, boats must also be inspected before leaving the boat ramp area. Boats that are cleaned, drained and dry can receive a seal after the inspection is complete which will decrease the wait time the next time they enter a state-run reservoir." 

All boaters, belly boaters and people wading into water are asked to take a few simple, precautionary steps every time they go to a lake, river or stream:

Before leaving a lake or other waterway, boaters should: 

• DRAIN the water from the boat, live well and the lower unit of the engine 
• INSPECT all exposed surfaces.
• REMOVE all plant and animal material.
• CLEAN the hull of your boat.
• DRY the boat, fishing gear and all equipment.

Boat inspectors will look for invasive plants and animals that could threaten Colorado’s waters and will continue to educate boaters about the need to ensure that their boats are Clean, Drained and Dry after every boating trip. New Zealand mud snails, a tiny invasive mollusk measuring only 1/8 of an inch long when mature, were discovered in Eleven Mile Reservoir in 2011. They have also been found in the "Dream Stream" between Eleven Mile and Spinney Mountain Reservoirs, Spinney Mountain Reservoir, and a portion of the South Platte River below Eleven Mile Reservoir. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials want to make sure they do not spread elsewhere.

Nearby Spinney Mountain Reservoir opened for the season April 1, creating two exciting fishing and boating opportunities in the area. There is plenty of water to allow launching and loading at Spinney Reservoir’s North Boat Ramp, but the South Boat Ramp will remain closed until reservoir levels rise several more feet at this day-use park located west of Eleven Mile Reservoir. 
Eleven Mile State Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities including overnight camping at nearly 350 campsites, five miles of hiking and bicycling trails, interpretive programs, and wildlife viewing opportunities.