The Yampa River is often described as the beating heart of Steamboat Springs. As one of Colorado’s last remaining, mostly free-flowing rivers, it is a resource that the community is dedicated to preserving.

The Yampa River Fund

In 2019, the Yampa River Fund was created by a forward-thinking group of farmers, non-profits, municipalities, and recreation-based businesses to address worsening drought, increasing populations, and developments. A $4M endowment was created to fund environmental restoration projects, agricultural infrastructure enhancements, and releases from nearby reservoirs. The overarching goal is to ensure the river can support farmers, communities, recreationists and wildlife for the future.

Yampa River in High Demand

Recreation for river users has seen a surge in recent years with demand from anglers, kayakers, tubers, paddleboarders and rafters. A handful of local outfitters offer guided trips, lessons, and equipment rentals, which doubles as an opportunity to educate river users on etiquette to protect the waterways.

Fishing in the Yampa Valley

Among the many uses, fishing is one of the most popular sports for locals and visitors to Steamboat Springs. When the air temperatures rise and the snowmelt fuels the flow, anglers can be seen dotted throughout the Yampa Valley.

With seven miles of public waters to fish, the stretch from Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area to the downtown holes, remains the most popular and accessible. Fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout, often over 20”, draws fisherman from across the country.  Increasing numbers of large pike attract another type of dedicated angler.

Seasonal opportunities upstream are also available at Sarvis Creek State Wildlife Area and the tailwaters of Stagecoach Reservoir (which recently closed to fishing due to low water levels). Eight miles out of town, fishing is offered on the Elk River at Christina State Wildlife Area. Further afield, the Flat Tops Wilderness boasts the Bear River and a host of alpine lakes some of which have large concentrations of native Colorado River cutthroats and some which are home to arctic grayling. Stagecoach Reservoir, Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake all boast excellent fishing with backdrops to distract even the most focused angler.