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Bluegill
Photo: Scott Harden, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Rainbow Trout
Photo: Zitsman Carl, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain 
Brook Trout
Photo: Photo by and (C)2007 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man ), CC BY-SA 2.5 
Wiper
Photo: BenitoJuarez98, CC BY-SA 4.0
Colorado lakes and reservoirs
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Elkhead Reservoir Fishing
A 706-acre Colorado reservoir in Moffat County and Routt County at 6,310 feet.
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Moffat County
Elkhead Reservoir at a glance
Elkhead Reservoir holds around 706 surface acres within Moffat County and Routt County. CPW gives an elevation of roughly 6,310 feet. Access runs through Elkhead State Park. For gas and groceries, Hayden sits roughly 8 miles off. It falls inside the Northwest Region on CPW maps.
Anglers come here for black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, rainbow trout and smallmouth bass, by the CPW list. Trailers back in at 1 boat ramp. Boating allowed: Motor boats (gasoline). Reaching it is easy; crowds are medium, CPW says. CPW winter status: ice fishing listed as yes.
706acres
6,310feet elevation
1boat ramps
6species listed
Before eating fish from Elkhead Reservoir, read the state advisory: CDPHE advisory.
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
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The fishery at Elkhead Reservoir
Every chip for Elkhead Reservoir comes from a CPW list, a state record or the trout stocking report.
CPW Boatable Waters species field, CPW state records and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Access
Putting in at Elkhead Reservoir
- West Boat Ramp on Elkhead Reservoirboat ramp, condition good, ANS inspection, State Parks; Elkhead Reservoir State Park
Walk-up spots at Elkhead Reservoir
- Elkhead Reservoir fishing access near Haydeneasy access, stocked: warmwater, 6,310 ft
- Greenwood's Cove fishing access near Haydenfishing access
Other CPW ramps around Elkhead Reservoir
- State Wildlife Area on Yampa RiverYampa River, 4 miles south
- Yampa River SWAYampa River, 4 miles south
- Headquarters boat ramp on Yampa RiverYampa River, 7 miles southeast
- Double Bridges boat ramp on Yampa RiverYampa River, 7 miles southeast
- Yampa Valley Golf Course boat rampboat ramp, condition good, 9 miles southwest
- Loudy Simpson Park on Craig City PondsCraig City Ponds, 11 miles southwest
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits
Bag limits at Elkhead Reservoir
| Species | Bag and possession | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee) | Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Brook trout 8 inches or less (bonus) | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Kokanee salmon | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Walleye, saugeye and sauger | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Smallmouth bass | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White bass, striped bass and wiper | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Channel, flathead and blue catfish | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White and black crappie | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Bluegill and other sunfish | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Yellow perch | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Tiger muskie | Daily bag 1, possession 1; at least 36 inches long | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Northern pike and bullhead | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
CPW splits some limits by drainage, and Elkhead Reservoir falls west of the Continental Divide. Colorado has no closed season by species, so the chart applies all year at Elkhead Reservoir unless a special rule says otherwise.
The special regulation entry for Elkhead Reservoir
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhead Reservoir | Bag and possession limit for crappie is 10. Bag, possession and min. size for largemouth bass is 2, 15 inches long. | p. 21 |
Special regulations as printed in the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pp. 11 to 39, checked against CPW Chapter W-1 (as approved 13 November 2025); retrieved October 2026.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Tournaments
Fishing events at Elkhead Reservoir
Organizers, dates and weights for Elkhead Reservoir are gathered separately.
Compare
Measuring Elkhead Reservoir against close lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhead Reservoir | 706 | 6,310 | 1 | ||
| Craig City Ponds | 11 miles southwest | 15 | 6,192 | 1 | yes |
| Freeman Reservoir | 13 miles north | 18 | 8,741 | 0 | |
| Nofstger Reservoir | 16 miles southeast | 13 | 6,746 | 0 | yes |
| Steamboat Lake | 27 miles northeast | 1,012 | 8,031 | 3 | |
| Hahns Peak Lake | 27 miles northeast | 34 | 8,379 | 0 | yes |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Nearby
What sits near Elkhead Reservoir
Lakes to pair with Elkhead Reservoir
- Craig City Ponds11 miles southwest
- Freeman Reservoir13 miles north
- Nofstger Reservoir16 miles southeast
- Steamboat Lake27 miles northeast
- Hahns Peak Lake27 miles northeast
Bait and flies near Elkhead Reservoir
- Steamboat Flyfisherbait and tackle shop, Steamboat Springs, 29 miles
- Straightline Outdoor Sportsbait and tackle shop, Steamboat Springs, 29 miles
Registered outfitters around Elkhead Reservoir
- North Park Fishing Club, LLCfishing guide, Steamboat Springs
- Yampa Valley Anglers, LLCfishing guide, Yampa River, Yampa, (970) 819-4376
- Flying Diamond Events, LLCfly fishing guide, Oak Creek
- Great Divide Fly Fishingfly fishing guide, Steamboat Springs
- Steamboat Flyfisher LLCfly fishing guide, Steamboat Springs
Mountain and plains towns near Elkhead Reservoir
- Hayden8 miles
- Craig10 miles
- Steamboat Springs30 miles
Counties holding part of Elkhead Reservoir
- Moffat Countyseat: Craig
- Routt Countyseat: Steamboat Springs
Piscifun
What Piscifun makes for Elkhead Reservoir anglers
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Know your fish
Species photos for anglers bound for Elkhead Reservoir
Photo: Scott Harden, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Zitsman Carl, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Photo by and (C)2007 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man ), CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: BenitoJuarez98, CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers
Planning notes for Elkhead Reservoir in Q and A form
Which Colorado town makes the handiest base for Elkhead Reservoir?
It lies in Moffat County and Routt County, CPW Northwest Region, about 8 miles from Hayden.
How much surface does Elkhead Reservoir spread across when full?
The outline measures about 706 acres, at about 6,310 feet.
How many CPW ramps reach the water at Elkhead Reservoir?
1 boat ramp on the CPW layer, West Boat Ramp on Elkhead Reservoir included.
Which species does CPW list for Elkhead Reservoir?
The CPW roster names black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, rainbow trout and smallmouth bass.
How many trout can I keep at Elkhead Reservoir?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate. Special rules for it sit in the table above.
How much is a one-day license for Elkhead Reservoir?
Fishing two lines at once takes the $14.24 second-rod stamp on top of the license; adult residents pay $44.87 for the license and nonresidents $124.01.
How often does CPW stock Elkhead Reservoir?
It is not on the 2024 to 2026 catchable trout report.
Where do anglers at Elkhead Reservoir get supplies?
Steamboat Flyfisher, 29 miles out.
What does CPW say about ice at Elkhead Reservoir?
ice fishing listed as yes, per CPW; conditions change daily.
Plan a Colorado day at Elkhead Reservoir
Fees, stamps and special rules sit on the license page.