Fishing opportunities abound in Craig and Moffat County!

Moffat County, Colorado is home to 182 lakes, rivers, and other fishing spots.

There are many areas within Moffat County that provide excellent fishing opportunities. The Yampa and Green Rivers, Elkhead Reservoir and secluded mountain lakes and streams are waiting for the fisherman, whether it is for food on the table, the challenge to pull out the biggest or simply a chance to get away from it all.

Rivers, lakes and streams provide bait fishing; in some areas only artificial flies and lures are allowed. These areas are posted. Many fishable streams are on private property and fisherman should be aware of these and respect private property.

In Colorado, resident and non-resident persons 16 years of age and older must possess a Colorado Fishing License.

Fishing

There are many areas within Moffat County that provide excellent fishing opportunities. The Yampa and Green Rivers, Elkhead Reservoir and secluded mountain lakes and streams are waiting for fisherman. In Colorado, anyone 16 years of age and older must possess a Colorado Fishing License.

Elkhead Reservoir: Northeast of Craig

Small and largemouth bass, channel catfish, northern pike, rainbow trout.

Latitude: 40.7650648°N
Longitude: -107.4255947°W
Elevation: 8,740 ft (2,664 m)
USGS Topo Map: Freeman Reservoir
Fishing Type: Lake

Freeman Reservoir: Routt National Forest, 20 miles north of Craig

• Cutthroat trout

Latitude: 40.7650648°N
Longitude: -107.4255947°W
Elevation: 8,740 ft (2,664 m)
USGS Topo Map: Freeman Reservoir
Fishing Type: Lake

Green River: Northwest corner of Moffat County in Browns Park

Brown trout, rainbow trout, catfish

Loudy-Simpson Park: South of Craig on Ranney St.

• Northern pike, brown trout, rainbow trout
  

Public Safety Center Pond: 1st St

Trout. Open only to youths 12 and younger

Williams Fork River: South of Craig

Rainbow trout

Upper Yampa River: Craig to Steamboat Springs

Brown trout, rainbow trout, northern pike

Lower Yampa River : Craig to Utah border

Channel catfish, northern pike

Kayaking

Yampa River

There are excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities east and west of Craig. The Little Yampa Canyon Recreation Area west of Craig is a scenic alternation of canyons and valleys offering wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, and river canoeing. Juniper Canyon offers a short whitewater class II run while Cross Mountain Canyon offers high risk and challenging class IV and V rapids for experienced river runners.

Click here for Yampa River public access points

Lower Section of Yampa River by DNMP:

Latitude: 40.5288528°N
Longitude: -108.9842847°W
Elevation: 5,079 ft (1,548 m)
USGS Topo Map: Canyon of Lodore South
Fishing Type: Stream

Green River

The Flaming Gorge Reservoir, providing a constant flow level year round, regulates the Green River levels. Canoeing is best on the upper stretches of the Green through Browns Park Wildlife Refuge. At the south end of the refuge, the river enters the Gates of Ladore, which is primarily white water suitable for experienced river runners, and best for rafting and kayaks. A permit is required to enter Dinosaur National Monument.

Little Snake River

The Little Snake is accessible early spring to early summer for its entire 40 miles. After mid-season the river is not suitable for boating activity due to low water.

Latitude: 40.4524675°N
Longitude: -108.4423201°W
Elevation: 5,620 ft (1,713 m)
USGS Topo Map: Twelvemile Mesa
Fishing Type: Stream

Taylor Creek

Latitude: 40.218584°N
Longitude: -107.8600733°W
Elevation: 8,245 ft (2,513 m)
USGS Topo Map: Ninemile Gap
Fishing Type: Stream

Elkhead Reservoir

Motor boats & jet skis

Located east of Craig, is the most popular body of water in the county for power boating. There is a daily fee for lake use. The lake is patrolled and managed by Colorado State Parks. Water is open year round for boating and popular for water skiing and jet skis during the summer months. Camping, fishing and hiking paths are available at Elkhead.

Latitude: 40.7650648°N
Longitude: -107.4255947°W
Elevation: 8,740 ft (2,664 m)
USGS Topo Map: Freeman Reservoir
Fishing Type: Lake

Freeman Reservoir

Non-motorized

Located in the Routt National Forest, accessed via Colorado Hwy 13.

Latitude: 40.7650648°N
Longitude: -107.4255947°W
Elevation: 8,740 ft (2,664 m)
USGS Topo Map: Freeman Reservoir
Fishing Type: Lake

Coyote Reservoir

Non-motorized

Latitude: 40.529971°N
Longitude: -107.5856221°W
Elevation: 6,358 ft (1,938 m)
USGS Topo Map: Craig
Fishing Type: Lake

Axial Pond

Floating & tubing

Four-acre lake located off State Highway 13, 12 miles south of Hamilton. The pond is open for fishing only – no swimming or waterfowl hunting.

Tubing on the Yampa River is a popular summertime sport suitable for the entire family. Tubers start at Pebble Beach, #4 on the MAP, and float to Loudy-Simpson Park or the South Beach take-out area, located east of Craig.

Boating

​​​​​​​​​​Yampa River boaters have 13 access points in the 134-mile-long Yampa River State Park portion of the river, stretching from Hayden, Colorado, to Dinosaur National Monument on the Utah border (permits required within Dinosaur National Monument). All access sites have some type of river access for boating or limited walk-wade fishing. Seven sites have developed ramps. Six of the accesses have camping with restrooms, hardened pads with tables and grills. The camping-area access sites have between five and 10 campsites, depending on the area. Many of these access sites allow you to float onto BLM lands which offer a primitive (undeveloped) camping experience along the way.

Photos by Patti Mosbey

River Flow Classes

The river flow varies between Class I-II and Class V rapids. The majority of the Yampa River is Class I-II. with Juniper Canyon being III-IV, depending on flows. The Cross Mt. Canyon segment is class IV-V and can be impassible, depending on flows. In March and April, the flow averages 500 to 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). In May and June, flows reach 5000 to13,000 cfs. From late June through August, flows will drop to 500 cfs, and go up to 750 cfs in late September.

Depending on river flows, developed ramps may be closed for safety and legal reasons.

River Access Points With Boat Ramps

The Yampa River State Wildlife Area, which is managed by Colorado Division of Wildlife is your closest take-out. Downstream of the State Wildlife Area is the Craig Golf Course and then Loudy-Simpson Municipal Park.  Both areas offer undeveloped  access to river, with Loudy-Simpson having limited camping as well.

Following are descriptions of the seven Yampa River access points that have boat ramps, starting from the Hayden Pump Station access point and heading west to the Dinosaur National Monument. These sites – and the rest of the 12 access points (not all have boat ramps) – are identified by number in the Yampa River Map and Brochure.

Hayden Pump Station (1)

Hayden Station is located five miles east of Hayden at the power plant pump intake.  This site has a developed boat ramp and toilet facilities, but it is a small area and not recommended for large vehicles. No camping is allowed at this site.  Public lands are very limited downstream, so boaters need to be aware of private property.  This site accesses some of the best bird-nesting habitat on the river.  Please be very conscious of nesting birds and do not disturb them. This is a very unique stretch of river with a diversity of raptors and water birds as well as other wildlife. The downstream take-out is 11 miles, so plan accordingly.

South Beach (6)

South Beach is located three miles south of Craig on the west side of U.S. Highway 13. This site houses the water intake for Tri-State and Trapper Mining, so there are some parking and access restrictions. This site has good access to the river with limited primitive camping available. The camping is limited to a maximum two-night stay; camping permits are required. This area has restroom facilities, a boat ramp, day-use picnic sites and trash receptacles. This access site opens up a rare opportunity to float into “Little Yampa Canyon” and a stretch of river that is 32 miles to the next take-out.  The downstream access is by boat only, so any vehicle use is extremely limited to access from private property or a few roads across BLM.  Because of the remoteness of this area, trash and wastes must be packed out!

Duffy Mountain (7)

Duffy Mountain is located 32 miles downriver from South Beach through Little Yampa Canyon and approximately 29 miles west of Craig. This is the primary take-out from South Beach. For river access at Duffy Mountain, take U.S. Highway 40 west approximately 19 miles from Craig. On the south side of the road, you will see County Road 17. Take County Road 17 south for approximately 10 miles. You will cross the Yampa River at a spot known as Government Bridge, no river access is allowed. Continue along the county road, following the signs for public access and go left at the cattle guard on BLM Road 1593.

This is a nice flat-water float, but check flow levels​ before starting. You will find a restroom, boat ramp, graveled parking area and five primitive camping/picnic sites. This area of the river is great for wildlife viewing. Deer are abundant all year, and elk are visible during the winter. Look to the sky for soaring golden and bald eagles. Downstream access takes you into private lands, so take maps and do not trespass.

Juniper Canyon (8)

Juniper Canyon is located 12 miles downriver from Duffy Mountain. To reach the access site at Juniper Canyon, take U.S. Highway 40 west out of Craig 20 miles to Moffat County Road 53, which is on the south (left) side of the highway. Take County Road 53 for 3.6 miles to County Road 74. Take a sharp right turn and drive approximately three-fourths of a mile to the site. This site has a developed boat ramp, restroom facilities, trash receptacles, and about a dozen primitive camping and picnic sites. Mountain bikers and hikers will enjoy the great access to surrounding public lands. This area offers great wildlife viewing and fishing. Elk, antelope and mule deer roam the area. Hunters and OHV users have a great base camp opportunity here and can easily access public lands.  Boaters need to be cautious of a class III-IV diversion dam downstream. A great wave train lines up below: Don’t miss the surf wave below the flume. After that, it is a nice mellow float out.  A portage or scout above the diversion on the right is suggested.

Maybell Bridge (9)

Maybell Bridge is located 28 miles west of Craig on the south side of U.S. Highway 40. This access site is approximately 12 miles downriver from the Juniper Canyon access. A diversion hazard exists between the Juniper and Maybell sites (see Juniper description). This site has a boat ramp. There is limited foot access to the river. Primitive camping and picnic areas are along the river. There are restroom facilities and trash receptacles. This area offers great wildlife viewing. Deer and antelope are abundant throughout the year, and elk wander the area in the winter. This site is a great put-in for flat water enthusiasts whom like long distance day trips.  Two undeveloped take-outs exist down stream.  You can access a Division of Wildlife property via Moffat County Road 19. This will take you to the river north of Maybell or for a longer paddle. Go to the river access off of Hwy 318 at Sunbeam.

East Cross Mountain (11)

East Cross Mountain is located approximately 18 miles southwest of Maybell. Take U.S. Highway 40 west of Maybell about 13.6 miles to Moffat County Road 85. Drive north on Moffat County Road 85 to the Bureau of Land Management Road 1551 and then 1.5 miles. Visitors should be aware that the road may be very rough. The improved site has a vault toilet, parking, camping/ picnic sites and a boat ramp. The area has tables and fire rings. State Park passes are required.  This site accesses Cross Mt. Canyon and should NOT be floated by novice boaters.

Contact Us

If you have questions or would like to check availability, call 970.926.0216 or complete the form below.