Upper Craven Reservoir in Grand County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Upper Craven Reservoir belongs to Grand County, Colorado. The ground around here is rolling bush. About 3 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Grand County. The town to know is Kremmling, 7.1 miles out. Further out sit Granby (30 miles) and Steamboat Springs (31 miles). The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Upper Craven Reservoir

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Reported across Grand County: black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Read Upper Craven Reservoir before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 56°F in July and bottoms out near 18°F in January. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early May. Break-up sits around early 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. Upper Craven Reservoir runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Hinman Reservoir, 3.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Nothing on Upper Craven Reservoir should be assumed from this page alone.