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

• Overview

  McCargar Reservoir is a Routt County water, in Colorado. It sits at 7,874 feet above sea level. About 3 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Routt County standards. You are 30 miles from Steamboat Springs. Hayden follows at 32 miles, then Saratoga at 39 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on McCargar Reservoir

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Open biodiversity records for Routt County list brook trout, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Work McCargar Reservoir in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 56°F, the coldest about 20°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually goes in early May, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. That shapes the year on McCargar Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Hahns Peak Lake, 4.7 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. The position on McCargar Reservoir is worth confirming on the day.