What You'll Fish at Navajo State Park
Navajo State Park sits at 7,760 feet in the San Juan Mountains, about 15 miles east of Pagosa Springs. The park centers on Navajo Lake, a 150-acre reservoir built on the Navajo River, and holds a solid population of rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon. The lake is the main draw, but the park also manages the Navajo River below the dam, which runs cold and clear year-round and holds its own trout fishery.
The lake itself is relatively shallow and productive. Water temperature stays cold enough through summer to support trout without stress, and the kokanee run creates seasonal opportunity if you're targeting something different from the standard rainbow and brown mix. The river section is smaller and more technical — it's a wade fishery for anglers who want to work pocket water and current breaks rather than cast from a boat.
Key Takeaways
- Navajo Lake holds rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon, with the lake open year-round and the river section best from spring through fall.
- The park charges a day-use fee and a separate fee for overnight camping; boat ramps and rental boats are available if you don't bring your own.
- Spin gear and fly rods both work here — the lake rewards trolling and casting from shore, while the river below the dam is fly-fishing water.
- Summer afternoons bring afternoon winds that can make the lake choppy; early morning and evening are calmer and often more productive.
- The park sits at high elevation with snow possible even in May and September, so check conditions before you go.
When to Fish Navajo Lake and the River
Spring and early summer — May through June — is when the lake warms enough for consistent fishing and the river runoff settles. Kokanee salmon spawn in late summer and early fall, which concentrates them and makes them more catchable if you're targeting that species. Fall through early winter is excellent for brown trout, which become more aggressive as water temperature drops.
Winter fishing is possible but limited by weather and ice. The park stays open, but access can be difficult after heavy snow, and the lake may ice over enough to restrict boat traffic. The river below the dam remains fishable through winter because the dam releases water that keeps it from freezing solid, though wading becomes dangerous and the water is brutally cold.
Afternoon winds are a real factor here. The lake can go from glassy to choppy in an hour, especially in summer. If you're planning to fish from a boat, start early — by 10 or 11 a.m., the wind often makes casting difficult. Shore fishing and river fishing are less affected by wind.
How to Fish the Lake
From a boat, trolling is the most consistent approach. Troll small spoons — silver or gold in sizes 1 to 3 — along the deeper edges of the lake, particularly near the dam and along the north shore where the bottom drops off. Kokanee respond to smaller spoons and flashier presentations than rainbows do, so if you're targeting them specifically, go smaller and faster. Rainbows and browns will hit the same spoons but often prefer a slower troll.
Casting from shore works well around the boat ramp area and along the eastern shore where shallow water meets deeper drop-offs. Use small spinners, inline spoons, or soft plastics in natural colors — browns especially respond to darker presentations. Early morning and late evening are most productive from shore because the fish move into shallower water to feed.
Fly fishing the lake is possible but not the primary method here. If you bring a fly rod, focus on the shallows in early morning with small streamers or nymphs. The lake doesn't have the insect hatches that make fly fishing productive on some mountain reservoirs, so you're relying on baitfish imitation rather than matching a hatch.
Fishing the Navajo River Below the Dam
The river section is a different fishery entirely. It's roughly 2 miles of wadeable water from the dam down to the park boundary, and it holds brown and rainbow trout in pocket water and behind boulders. The current is steady and the water is cold — this is classic mountain stream fishing, not lake fishing.
Fly fishing is the standard approach. Use small nymphs — size 14 to 18 — in dark colors, or small streamers if you want to cover water faster. The river is narrow enough that you don't need long casts; accuracy and drift control matter more than distance. Wade carefully — the rocks are slick and the current is stronger than it looks.
Spin gear works too. Small spinners and inline spoons in sizes 0 to 1 will take fish, and they're easier to use if you're not comfortable with a fly rod. Cast upstream and let the current bring the lure through the pocket water. The key is working the current seams where trout hold and feed.
Access, Fees, and Facilities
Navajo State Park charges a day-use fee to enter the park — the amount varies by vehicle type but is typically in the range of $8 to $10. Overnight camping has a separate fee, usually $20 to $30 per night depending on the site. The park has two boat ramps, one near the main parking area and one on the eastern shore. Boat rentals are available through a concessionaire if you don't bring your own.
The park has a campground with roughly 50 sites, most with water and electric hookups. Facilities include restrooms, a dump station, and a small store. There's no gas station in the park, so fill up in Pagosa Springs before you arrive. The nearest town with restaurants and lodging is Pagosa Springs, 15 miles west.
The park is open year-round, but winter access depends on snow conditions. Call ahead if you're planning a winter trip — the road can close after heavy snow, and the park may restrict vehicle access to certain areas.
Gear and Tackle for Navajo
For lake fishing, bring a medium-action spinning rod with 6- to 8-pound monofilament or braided line. Pack small spoons in silver and gold, small spinners, and soft plastics in natural colors. If you're trolling, a downrigger isn't necessary but can help you reach deeper water where kokanee hold in summer.
For river fishing, a 5- to 6-weight fly rod is ideal, but a 4-weight will work. Bring a selection of small nymphs and streamers, a floating line, and a leader in the 7.5- to 9-foot range. If you're using spin gear on the river, a light rod with 4- to 6-pound line and small spinners is all you need.
Waders are essential for river fishing and useful for shore fishing on the lake. The water is cold year-round, and even in summer, wading without insulation gets uncomfortable quickly. Bring a net — the fish aren't huge, but a net makes landing and releasing easier. Sunscreen and a hat are important at this elevation; the sun reflects off the water and the air is thin.
Regulations and Catch Limits
Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages Navajo State Park under standard statewide regulations. The lake and river are open year-round, but check the current fishing guide for any seasonal closures or special restrictions — these can change. Catch limits are typically 16 fish per day for trout, with no size restrictions, but kokanee may have different limits depending on the year.
A Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. You can purchase a one-day license, a five-day license, or an annual license through Colorado Parks and Wildlife or at most sporting goods stores in Pagosa Springs. Licenses are also available online through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fish Navajo Lake in winter?
Yes, the lake stays open year-round, but winter fishing depends on weather and ice conditions. After heavy snow, the road may close or vehicle access may be restricted. The river below the dam remains fishable because the dam releases water that prevents it from freezing solid, but wading is dangerous and the water is extremely cold.
Do I need a boat to fish Navajo Lake?
No. Shore fishing is productive, especially in early morning and late evening around the boat ramp area and the eastern shore. You can also rent a boat through the park concessionaire if you want to fish from the water but don't have your own.
What's the difference between fishing the lake and the river?
The lake is a reservoir fishery where trolling and casting from a boat are most productive. The river below the dam is a mountain stream where fly fishing and small spinners work best. The river holds smaller fish but offers more technical, pocket-water fishing if that's what you prefer.
What elevation is Navajo State Park?
The park sits at 7,760 feet in the San Juan Mountains. At this elevation, weather can change quickly, and snow is possible even in May and September. Bring layers and check conditions before you go.
How far is Navajo State Park from Pagosa Springs?
The park is about 15 miles east of Pagosa Springs. The drive takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes. Pagosa Springs has gas, restaurants, and lodging if you want to base yourself there instead of camping in the park.