Henderson Reservoir in Routt County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Henderson Reservoir falls in Routt County, part of Colorado. The water sits 7,867 feet up. At 3 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Most waters listed here for Routt County are larger. Nearest town is Steamboat Springs, 13 miles off. Beyond it, Hayden at 24 miles and Kremmling at 31 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Henderson Reservoir

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Records held for Routt County cover brook trout, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. The shape of Henderson Reservoir decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 60°F at the top of summer and 19°F at the bottom of winter. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. On average, mid April opens the water and late November closes it again. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Time your trip to Henderson Reservoir by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Martin Creek Reservoir, 0.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. For Henderson Reservoir in particular, ask before you travel.