Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Lakes ยท San Juan & Dolores Basin
Navajo Reservoir stretches from Arboles, Colorado into New Mexico. It is a huge lake with bass, pike, crappie and trout, and it feeds the famous San Juan River below the dam.
Looking for the latest Navajo Reservoir river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Navajo Reservoir.
Water level
There is no public water level gauge for Navajo Reservoir. Call the shop or the park for the latest.
Heads up: Major flooding hit southwest Colorado on November 1 and 2. Expect muddy water and check road conditions before you drive.
Wind forecast
Navajo Reservoir fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The November 1 and 2 storms sent big, muddy inflows into this reservoir. Flood water has filled the lake, and it is muddy and full of debris.
Fishing will be tough until the water settles and clears.
Stocking report
Recent trout stocking from Colorado Parks and Wildlife's weekly report.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Navajo Reservoir, bring: Clouser Minnow #2-6, Woolly Bugger #4-8, Crayfish #6, Pike Fly #2/0, Balanced Leech #10-12, Balanced Bou Leech #10-12, Slump Buster #6-8, Egg #12-14, Scud Bomb #12-16, Pitching Leech #10, Circus Peanut #4.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Navajo Reservoir lake details
| Access | Navajo State Park near Arboles on the Colorado end, plus New Mexico state park areas to the south. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 6,100 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 328 miles, roughly 8 hours from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Spring through fall |
| Fish | Smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, catfish and trout |
| Regulations | Colorado license on the Colorado end. A New Mexico license is required on the New Mexico side. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 2X to 3X tippet |
| Ice fishing | Ice is not reliable. Fish open water. |
| Camping | Navajo State Park campgrounds |
| Kids | Yes at the state park. |
| Good to know | Know which state you are fishing in. The licenses are different. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Slow and cold.
Spring
Pike and bass move shallow.
Summer
Bass on the rocks.
Fall
Bass and pike before winter.
How to get there
Take US-160 to Pagosa Springs, then Highway 151 to Arboles. Check flood road closures first.