Fishing in Stagecoach Reservoir

Stagecoach Reservoir is known for its fast-growing, hard-fighting rainbow trout that average in length from 14 to 18 inches. With a strong trout population, the pike have grown, some as large as 35 to 46 inches and weighing up to 30 pounds. In order to protect and sustain the trout population at Stagecoach, wildlife managers are encouraging anglers to harvest any pike caught.

This is the practice of keeping some average-sized fish to eat while returning the larger and smaller fish to the lake to continue to grow. Without returning some of the fish to the water, it's impossible for the fishery to withstand modern fishing methods and still produce trophy-quality fishing. Selective harvest is not catching and releasing all fish — just some.

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing for rainbow trout and northern pike is extremely popular. The reservoir is traditionally frozen from the end of December through March. Conditions vary day to day and sometimes hour to hour. Please use caution when ice fishing. Have proper safety equipment and follow safety guidelines.

Basic ice-fishing kits and hand augers are available at the park office as part of our free loaner program. Snowmobiles are permitted on the reservoir surface during the winter months as conditions allow, solely for fishing access below the high water mark. Snowmobile use is not allowed anywhere else in the park or on Routt County Road 18 to the tailwaters.

Fish Species and Bag Limits

See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.

Fishing Awards and Records for Stagecoach

Colorado Parks and Wildlife awards anglers who catch big fish. Visit the Fishing Awards and Records page for more record