Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Yampa & White Basin
Near Maybell, the Yampa is a big desert river with smallmouth bass, pike and native fish, heading toward Dinosaur National Monument.
Looking for the latest Yampa River Maybell 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 Yampa River โ Maybell.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Maybell fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The gauge near Maybell shows about 300 cfs and clear.
This is not trout water. It is cold now, and the warmwater fish are slow until spring.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Maybell, bring: Clouser Minnow #2-6, Woolly Bugger #4-8, Crayfish #6, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Maybell river details
| Access | BLM and state wildlife area access near Maybell along US-40. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 5,900 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 237 miles, roughly 5 hours 3 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Late spring and summer |
| Fish | Smallmouth bass, northern pike and native fish |
| Regulations | Pike and smallmouth are targeted for removal; native fish must be released. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 7.5 to 9 ft leaders, 1X to 3X tippet or wire for pike |
| Camping | BLM camping and Maybell-area parks |
| Kids | Yes at the easy access points. |
| Good to know | Remote. Bring fuel and water. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Cold and quiet.
Spring
Runoff.
Summer
Smallmouth and pike.
Fall
Cooling water.
How to get there
Take US-40 west from Steamboat Springs through Craig to Maybell.