Stevens Reservoir in Archuleta County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Stevens Reservoir lies in Archuleta County, in Colorado. It lies 7,713 feet above sea level. It measures about 38 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. A shoreline of some 1.6 miles keeps the choices simple. You are 4.2 miles from Pagosa Springs. The nearest city of size is Pueblo, 150 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Stevens Reservoir

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Species logged across Archuleta County include brook trout, rainbow trout, black-spotted cutthroat trout, bluehead sucker and green sunfish. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. The shape of Stevens Reservoir decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 63°F; by January the average is down near 20°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Winter locks it down, and early April brings it back. The season between ice runs from about early April to early December. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Stevens Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. 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. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Lake Pagosa at 1.6 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Stevens Reservoir locally before you travel.