Fishing Navajo Reservoir

AKA: Navajo Lake

Popular Fish Species
Navajo Reservoir Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
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Navajo Reservoir, CO

Popular Fish Species Navajo Reservoir, CO

Navajo Reservoir Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Navajo Reservoir maintains a healthy smallmouth bass population. Many locals enjoy smallmouth fishing, as smallies are tough fighters and very exciting to catch. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good virtually anytime they are shallow. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Navajo Reservoir Popular Fish - Northern Pike

Northern Pike Fishing

Northern pike have the tools necessary to catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. They are quite agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. They are currently thriving in the cool waters of Navajo Reservoir. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. Summer is spotty but pike can be caught all summer long. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes.

Navajo Reservoir Popular Fish - Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee Salmon Fishing

Sockeye salmon which remain landlocked, never migrating to the ocean, are called kokanee salmon. On-going stocking of kokanee salmon by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife helps to maintain a nice population for the fishery. Typically kokanee average one to two pounds. As one of the premiere kokanee fishing lakes in Colorado, Navajo Reservoir delivers plenty of fish above normal averages. These tasty fish school in lakes at depths which remain at ideal temperatures of between 48 and 58 degrees. Once this depth is identified, use a fish finder to locate schools. Use small lures trolled at the appropriate depth. The can also be caught using corn, but the main way they are caught is using flashy lures which they attack when the lure intrudes their space.

Navajo Reservoir Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, bluegill and northern pike at Navajo Reservoir in Colorado.

Only a small portion of this 15,600 surface-acre lake resides in Colorado, while the vast majority is in New Mexico. Navajo Lake is considered a warm water lake where bass and crappie thrive, yet cool enough to support cold-water species like trout and northern pike. There are nearly 160 miles of shoreline to fish, and the bulk of the shoreline in CO is accessible for fishing from the bank. The Two Rivers Marina in Colorado provides gas, rental boats and a boat launch ramp. Camping, lodging, shopping and dining are all available at the lake as well.

Fish Species in Navajo Reservoir, CO

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Navajo Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rentals: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Concessions: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Marinas

Two Rivers Marina
1526 County Rd 982
Arboles, CO 81121
970 883-2628

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Boat Ramp
Located at the Two Rivers Marina, nearby Rosa Campground, in the northeast corner of the lake, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with excellent paved parking.

Navajo Lake Marina
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, this is a multi-lane, concrete ramp with docks, and paved parking.

Sims Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks, and paved parking.

Click here for a Colorado fishing license.