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Stagecoach Reservoir 36 mi
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 
Elk River 14 mi
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 
North Platte River 30 mi
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 
Yampa River 45 mi
Photo: NEIPerite, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gold Medal lake
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Steamboat Lake Fishing
A 1,012-acre Colorado lake in Routt County at 8,031 feet.
Pick for rainbow troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: MtBotany, CC BY-SA 4.0
Routt County
Steamboat Lake: setting, size and how to reach it
Steamboat Lake spreads over roughly 1,012 acres of Routt County, by its mapped outline. Its surface sits near 8,031 feet above sea level. Steamboat Lake State Park manages the ground around it. Plan supplies in Steamboat Springs, near 24 miles from the shore. In CPW terms it is a Northwest Region water.
CPW records rainbow trout and snake river cutthroat trout in this water. Gold Medal status: CPW lists it among the Gold Medal lakes. Launching happens at 3 boat ramps. The boating entry reads Motor boats (gasoline). CPW calls access easy; pressure runs high. For hard water, CPW has ice fishing listed as yes.
1,012acres
8,031feet elevation
3boat ramps
2species listed
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
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Fish CPW lists for Steamboat Lake
Tap a fish to open its Colorado page, with limits and records, from Steamboat Lake.
CPW Boatable Waters species field, CPW state records and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Access
Launching a boat at Steamboat Lake
- Marina Ramp on Steamboat Lakeboat ramp, ANS inspection, State Parks; Steamboat Lake State Park
- Placer Cove Ramp on Steamboat Lakeboat ramp, ANS inspection, State Parks; Steamboat Lake State Park
- Sage Flats Boat Ramp on Steamboat Lakeboat ramp, CPW; Steamboat Lake State Park
Atlas fishing locations at Steamboat Lake
- Steamboat Lake fishing access near Steamboat Springseasy access, stocked: sub-catchables, 8,031 ft
- Handicapped Fishing Pierfishing access
When the Steamboat Lake ramp is crowded
- Pearl Lake Boat RampPearl Lake, 4 miles east
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits
Harvest rules for Steamboat Lake
| 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 |
Drainage matters for walleye, wiper and perch limits; Steamboat Lake sits west of the Continental Divide. Outside any special regulation, these statewide numbers govern Steamboat Lake.
Brochure rules for Steamboat Lake
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| Steamboat Lake | p. 37 |
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.
Compare
How Steamboat Lake measures up to the water around it
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steamboat Lake | 1,012 | 8,031 | 3 | ||
| Hahns Peak Lake | 3 miles northwest | 34 | 8,379 | 0 | yes |
| Pearl Lake | 4 miles east | 176 | 8,054 | 1 | |
| Big Creek Lake Upper | 20 miles northeast | 111 | 9,013 | 0 | |
| Big Creek Lake Lower | 20 miles northeast | 362 | 9,001 | 0 | yes |
| Tiago Lake | 24 miles southeast | 6 | 8,849 | 0 | yes |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Nearby
The ground surrounding Steamboat Lake
Other reservoirs within a drive of Steamboat Lake
- Hahns Peak Lake3 miles northwest
- Pearl Lake4 miles east
- Big Creek Lake Upper20 miles northeast
- Big Creek Lake Lower20 miles northeast
- Tiago Lake24 miles southeast
Where to buy line and lures near Steamboat Lake
- Straightline Outdoor Sportsbait and tackle shop, Steamboat Springs, 23 miles
- Steamboat Flyfisherbait and tackle shop, Steamboat Springs, 23 miles
Outfitters who fish Steamboat Lake
- 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
Beds and gas close to Steamboat Lake
- Steamboat Springs23 miles
- Hayden26 miles
- Craig37 miles
County guides that cover Steamboat Lake
- Routt Countyseat: Steamboat Springs
Piscifun
Piscifun tackle sized for Steamboat Lake
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In photos
Reservoirs and creeks near Steamboat Lake in photos
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: NEIPerite, CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers
Before you drive to Steamboat Lake, read these
Where in Colorado is Steamboat Lake?
CPW maps it in Routt County, CPW Northwest Region, about 24 miles from Steamboat Springs.
How many acres does Steamboat Lake cover on CPW maps?
Close to 1,012 acres by the CPW outline, at about 8,031 feet.
Which ramp do boaters back down at Steamboat Lake?
Yes: 3 boat ramps; Marina Ramp on Steamboat Lake is one.
Which gamefish does CPW tie to Steamboat Lake?
CPW lists rainbow trout and snake river cutthroat trout.
Does the brochure print a special rule for Steamboat Lake?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate. Extra rules from the brochure apply; they are above.
Can an out-of-state visitor fish Steamboat Lake on a short license?
Colorado sells no separate trout stamp; a CPW fishing license covers trout ($44.87 for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents), and anglers 16 and older need one.
When did CPW last list Steamboat Lake for trout?
Not on the stocking report in recent years.
Where can I pick up bait on the way to Steamboat Lake?
Closest on our list: Straightline Outdoor Sports, 23 miles.
Can I drill holes at Steamboat Lake?
CPW lists ice fishing listed as yes; no ice is ever certified safe.
What makes Steamboat Lake a Gold Medal lake?
Yes. The brochure lists it among the Gold Medal lakes ("Steamboat Lake in Routt Co.").
Give Steamboat Lake an early start
Buy the CPW license online before you leave.