Clayton Reservoir Fishing Guide, Jackson County, Colorado

• Overview

  In Colorado, Clayton Reservoir falls inside Jackson County. This is mixed forest ground. At 16 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Steamboat Springs lies 27 miles from the water. The big place round here is Boulder, 65 miles distant. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Clayton Reservoir

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Public occurrence data for Jackson County names brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, Arctic grayling and black-spotted cutthroat trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Clayton Reservoir the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 18°F and July at about 58°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Count the season from break-up, usually late April. On average, late April opens the water and mid November closes it again. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. The season on Clayton Reservoir rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. If the gate is shut, Ridings Reservoir at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Clayton Reservoir before loading the car.