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Lots of Variety:
The Yampa River
by
Karen Christopherson
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Here to read
more "Fish
Tails" |
From the Flattops to the Green
River, the Yampa has a long run of it. Starting in the
mountains, this river traverses mostly high, dry rangeland and
canyons. The flyfishing varies as much as the terrain. The Upper Yampa holds
cold-water species whereas warm-water species are found
downstream at river's end. Somewhere in-between, the two meet
with opportunity to fish for trout and pike in the same river
spot. The Yampa is most
popular as a floating river - this is a great way to see the
scenery and fish at the same time. Plus you don't have to worry
about hunting down access - let someone else do the worrying
about getting in and out of the river while you JUST FISH! However, there are numerous
access points where you can do walk and wade or bank fishing.
Access- Wading or Shore
The Colorado State Parks, BLM,
and DNR systems
provides access points to the river, for fishing or for
boat/raft take-in/take-out. They are: from upstream to
downstream --
CSP=Colorado State Parks
BLM=Bureau of Land Management
SWA=State Wildlife Area
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White River Nat'l Forest
- headwaters Take Hwy 131 south from Steamboat
to town of Yampa; turn southwest on Cnty Rd 7, Forest Rd 9
and follow the Bear River (a tributary of the Yampa)
upstream; several lakes and creeks |
| Stagecoach State Park (CSP)
Take Hwy131 south
from Steamboat (off US40) for about 5 miles; turn south on Cnty Rd
14 and go 7 miles;
access to river below dam. They have their own fishing
report and info page.
Mike Wall, ranger at Stagecoach, took this photo of winter
fishing in the tailwater. |
| Service Creek (SWA) Take Hwy131 south from
Steamboat for 4.5 miles; turn southeast onto Cnty Rd 18 and
follow for 7 miles (roads are confusing in this area)
| Restrooms |
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| Steamboat Springs - 
You can fish in town - all
catch and release - watch out for kayakers and rafters |
| Parks
Headquarters at the Yampa River (CSP) - open Spring 2000 - Go west
from Hayden on US 40 about 2
miles. Access to the south. OR go
west from Steamboat about 27 miles. OR go east from Craig on US 40
about 15 miles.
| Picnic, camp, restrooms
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| Double Bridges (CSP)
Go west from Hayden on US40 for 2 miles; access on south
side of highway
| Picnic, restrooms, boat ramp |
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| Yampa River (SWA)
Go east from Craig on US40 for 7 miles, OR west from Hayden
for 6 miles |
| Craig -
Access in town at Craig Golf Course and Loudy Simpson Park.
Warm-species downstream from here |
| South
Beach (CSP) Go south from Craig on Hwy 13 for 3 miles
| Picnic, camp (permit required), restrooms, boat ramp
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| Duffy
Mountain (CSP) Go west from Craig on US40 about 19miles;
turn souht on Cnty Rd 17; travel about 10 miles and cross
the river. Follow road to signed access area
| Picnic, camp, restrooms, boat ramp |
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| Juniper
Canyon (CSP) Go west from Craig on US40 for 20 miles; turn south
on Cnty Rd 53 travel 3.6 miles to Cnty Rd 74; turn right and
go about 0.75 miles.
| Picnic, camp, restrooms, boat ramp
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| Maybell
Bridge (CSP) Go west from Craig on US40 for 28 miles;
access on south side of highway
| Picnic, camp, restrooms, boat ramp
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| Sunbeam (CSP)
Go northwest of Maybell on Hwy 318; follow 6
miles to Cnty Rd 23, turn south and go 1 mile to access point
| Picnic
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| East
Cross Mountain (CSP) Go west from Maybell on US40 for 14.5 miles;
turn north on Cnty Rd 85 and travel 2.5 miles to BLM Road
1551. Turn west, go thru gate, continue 1.5
miles to access.
| Camp, picnic, restrooms, boat ramp |
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| Cross Mountain (BLM) A wilderness study area.
Go west from Maybell on US40; turn north on Deerlodge Park
Rd and follow to parking area. |
| Dinosaur
National Monument - Most access is by floating. There is
access at east end of monument. Take the Deerlodge Park Rd north off of
US40 (near Maybell) to access the Yampa. From here is 46 miles of river to the other
reasonable access at Echo Park, where the Yampa and Green
meet. A very historic and beautiful place!
| Camp, picnic, restrooms |
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Looking down on the river and
spectacular country |
 Echo Park |
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Resources/Other Info:
Rules for
the Yampa
| Catch and release for 2 areas: Stagecoach
Dam downstream for 0.6 miles; and Walton Creek downstream to James
Brown bridge in Steamboat |
| Artificial flies and lures for 2
areas: Stagecoach Dam to Catamount Lake; and Walton Creek
downstream to James Brown bridge in Steamboat |
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State regs on rest of the river in Colorado. Except, no bag and possession limit
from Hwy 394 bridge near Craig downstream to Green River for channel catfish,
largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill,
bullhead, and crappie. |
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