A new category of fishable waters, called Colorado Quality Waters, has been created by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The agency announced in June that 53 lakes and streams across the state are considered as high quality fisheries with public access for anglers. CPW’s team of fish management biologists nominated these 53 areas based on fish sampling records, surveys and professional biological assessments.
Three waters from Routt County were selected — the Yampa River, Elk River and Stagecoach Reservoir.
“Colorado offers anglers the opportunity to fish in 6,000 miles of streams and more than 1,300 lakes and reservoirs,” said Josh Nehring, CPW’s deputy aquatic section manager. “We are excited to announce this new designation and highlight these high quality fisheries.”
Colorado Quality Waters are below the standards of what are considered Gold Medal Waters, but are seen as great options for angling opportunities of one or a variety of fish species. Steamboat Lake in North Routt is considered a Gold Medal Water.
A full list of CPW’s Colorado Quality Waters can be found at CPW.State. CO.US/thingstodo/pages/ quality-waters.aspx.
ELK RIVER
The Elk River is considered a Colorado Quality Water from the upper boundary of Christina State Wildlife Area downstream to the Mad Creek confluence. In this area, anglers can expect to catch rainbow trout, brown trout and mountain whitefish.
The 1.5-mile stretch of the Elk River is considered to have easy walk-wade access. The Christina State Wildlife Area also offers multiple trailheads and several other recreational opportunities in Routt National Forest.
STAGECOACH RESERVOIR
Home to rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike and walleye, Stagecoach State Park offers a number of camping opportunities and trails for hiking. Stagecoach Reservoir allows for shore-fishing access, as well as two boat ramps with a full-service marina.
Rainbow trout are the most popular fishing target in the reservoir and can be caught with consistency at 16-21 inches. Stagecoach is also the home of the current state record trophy-sized northern pike. There is no bag or possession limit for walleye at Stagecoach Reservoir.
YAMPA RIVER
CPW selected the Yampa River as a Colorado Quality Water from the U.S. 40 bridge east of Hayden at the pumphouse to the Yampa River State Wildlife Area boat ramp west of Hayden.
Anglers fishing the Yampa River may catch rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike or smallmouth bass, with the occasional whitefish finding the end of a line as well. It is famous in Colorado for its float-fishing opportunities, with some walk-wade fishing access available near the Yampa River State Park and the Yampa River State Wildlife Area.
The bag and possession limit for trout in this area is two fish, while no other fish have a bag or possession limit.