Fishing McChivvis Reservoir in Routt County, Colorado

• Overview

  McChivvis Reservoir is one of the Routt County waters in Colorado. It stands 9,459 feet above sea level. About 8 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Supplies mean a trip to Steamboat Springs, 27 miles off. Then Hayden, 29 miles, and Gypsum, 33 miles. Others within reach: Bull Park Reservoir within 0.4 miles, Heart Lake 0.9 miles, Burnt Mesa Reservoir within 1.2 miles, Chatfield Reservoir 2.7 miles and Allen Basin Reservoir within 3 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on McChivvis Reservoir

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. County-wide records name brook trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish and mountain sucker. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. At McChivvis Reservoir light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 19°F in January to roughly 54°F in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Once it clears, about mid May, the fishing comes on quickly. Break-up sits around mid May on average, with the water closing again about mid November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Plan around that when you fish McChivvis Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Bull Park Reservoir at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the current arrangement for McChivvis Reservoir.