Elkhead Reservoir, a 900 acre reservoir provides visitors with numerous recreational opportunities, including boating, swimming, hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, water skiing, biking, horseback riding, hunting and, of course, excellent fishing. Bear's Ears campground was recently completed, offering camping at the park for the first time in several years.
CDOW regularly stocks the reservoir with rainbow trout, providing anglers with good action. In addition, officials have been busy establishing a smallmouth bass population, some of which are transplants from the Yampa River. Anglers can expect to find a small population of largemouth bass that survived the drawdown. Crappie are doing well and anglers can expect to encounter fish of decent size. The catfish population is thriving, with several big cats being caught (give the north end a shot!). Northern pike exist. While most are small, a few larger fish survived the drawdown and may provide fishers with an unexpected thrill. The screen on the dam promises to keep non-native species from entering downriver waters.
Getting there: Travel west from Hayden roughly 10 miles and turn north (right) onto 27. In about 4 miles turn right onto lake entrance road and take next left to boat ramp and parking area. Fees: Colorado State Parks Pass required. $6 daily fee. Boating: All Boats Allowed. No special restrictions. Ice Fishing: Ice fishing allowed
9/1/2010 - Elkhead Reservoir - The water has improved in clarity and the fish are on. This lake has really turned on. We are seeing very nice fish being caught and a variety of species. Large Pike in the 13-15lb range, Cat fish in that same 15lb range and great Small Mouth are being taken. Crappie fishing has really slowed, but they are still being caught on the north end. ANS inspections will continue through September and the boat ramp will remain open. We will close the ramp Oct. 1, but hand launch and shore fishing is still available.
Conditions History
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