Colorado Fly Fishing Reports
River Reports - Click a river below
Arkansas River – Below Pueblo Reservoir
Arkansas River – Granite
Arkansas River – Leadville
Arkansas River – Salida
Bear Creek – Morrison
Big Thompson – Below Lake Estes
Big Thompson – Drake
Big Thompson – RMNP
Blue River – Below Green Mountain
Blue River – Breckenridge
Blue River – Silverthorne
Boulder Creek – Above Barker Res
Boulder Creek – Canyon
Boulder Creek – North 75th St.
Cache La Poudre – Canyon Mouth near Fort Collins
Cimarron – Below Silver Jack Reservoir
Clear Creek – Golden
Colorado River – Below Granby
Colorado River – Below Williams Fork Confluence
Colorado River – Catamount Bridge
Colorado River – Dotsero
Colorado River – Glenwood Springs
Colorado River – Hot Sulphur Springs
Colorado River – Kremmling
Conejos – Mogote
Crystal River – Redstone
Dolores River – Below McPhee Reservoir
Eagle River – Avon
Eagle River – Gypsum
Eagle River – Minturn
Eagle River – Muddy Creek
Elk River – Milner
Frying Pan – Below Ruedi Reservoir
Gore Creek – Vail
Gunnison River – Below Gunnison Tunnel
Gunnison River – Delta
Gunnison River – Gunnison
Lake Creek – Below Twin Lakes
Lake Fork of the Gunnison – Gateview
Los Pinos River – Below Vallecito Reservoir
Middle Fork South Platte – Above Montgomery Res
Middle Fork South Platte – Below Montgomery Res
Middle Fork South Platte – Prince
Middle Fork South Platte – Santa Maria
Muddy Creek – Below Wolford Reservoir
North Fork South Platte – Grant
North Platte – North Gate Canyon
North St. Vrain – Below Button Rock
Rio de Los Pinos – Ortiz
Rio Grande – Del Norte
Roaring Fork – Aspen
Roaring Fork – Emma
Roaring Fork – Glenwood Springs
San Juan – Pagosa Springs
San Miguel River – Placerville
South Boulder Creek – Below Gross Reservoir
South Boulder Creek – Eldorado Springs
South Boulder Creek – Moffat Tunnel
South Fork Rio Grande – South Fork
South Fork South Platte – Above Antero
South Fork South Platte – Below Antero
South Platte – Above Spinney
South Platte – Below Chatfield
South Platte – Cheesman Canyon
South Platte – Deckers
South Platte – Dream Stream
South Platte – Eleven Mile Canyon
South Platte – Waterton Canyon
St. Vrain – Lyons
Taylor River – Below Taylor Park Reservoir
Uncompahgre River – Below Ridgway Reservoir
White River – Meeker
Williams Fork – Below Williams Fork Reservoir
Yampa River – Below Stagecoach
Yampa River – Steamboat Springs
State overview
Colorado is a premier destination for fly fishing, known for its stunning landscapes and abundant trout waters. Anglers from all over the world visit Colorado to fish its pristine rivers, streams, and high-altitude lakes. The state is home to rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and brook trout, as well as other species like kokanee salmon and bass.
Popular fly fishing spots in Colorado include the South Platte River, Arkansas River, and the Colorado River, all of which offer year-round fishing opportunities. The Gunnison River is another top choice, famous for its large trout and scenic canyons. In addition to these rivers, Colorado’s high-country lakes and reservoirs are perfect for fly fishing in more remote and peaceful settings.
Colorado’s fly fishing season is excellent year-round, with spring and fall offering the most favorable conditions. In the summer, high-altitude lakes and streams become prime locations as the snowmelt subsides. Many rivers are catch-and-release only in designated areas, helping to preserve healthy fish populations for the future.
Whether you’re wading into a clear mountain stream or floating a river, Colorado offers endless fly fishing adventures for anglers of all skill levels. Be sure to check local regulations and have the appropriate fishing license before heading out.
Fishing Regulations
Before fly fishing in Colorado, make sure to follow these important regulations:
- Fishing License: Anglers aged 16 and older must have a valid Colorado fishing license. A Habitat Stamp is required for anyone between 18 and 64 years old purchasing a license. You can buy licenses online or at local vendors. Learn more about licenses here.
- Daily Limits: The daily bag limit for trout in most waters is four fish. Gold Medal waters, which offer some of the best trout fishing in the state, have more restrictive limits to protect trophy fish populations.
- Catch and Release: Certain areas, especially Gold Medal waters, are designated catch-and-release only for trout to help sustain healthy fish populations.
- Fishing Methods: In some designated waters, only artificial flies and lures are allowed. Verify the specific fishing method restrictions for the area you plan to fish.
- Special Regulations: Many lakes and reservoirs in Colorado have unlimited bag limits for non-native species like northern pike and smallmouth bass to control their populations and protect native trout.
For a complete guide on Colorado fishing regulations, visit the Colorado Fishing Regulations Guide.
Conservation Efforts
Colorado is deeply committed to preserving its rivers, lakes, and fish populations through several important conservation initiatives:
- Native Trout Restoration: Colorado has focused heavily on restoring native trout species like the Greenback Cutthroat and Colorado River Cutthroat. These efforts involve removing non-native species and restocking native fish in their historic waters. Learn more about these projects from Colorado Trout Unlimited.
- Water Quality Monitoring: Continuous water quality checks are essential to ensure the health of Colorado’s waterways, especially those that support native trout. These efforts help identify pollution and habitat degradation and guide necessary restoration actions.
- Habitat Restoration: Various organizations work to restore fish habitats by stabilizing stream banks, improving river flows, and planting native vegetation. These projects protect critical fish habitats from erosion and pollution.
- Catch and Release Advocacy: Many of Colorado’s prime fishing locations, particularly Gold Medal Waters, encourage or require catch-and-release practices to maintain healthy populations of large, mature trout.
- Community Involvement: Conservation groups, like Trout Unlimited, involve volunteers in clean-up efforts, habitat improvements, and public education to promote sustainable fishing practices. Local chapters actively engage in boots-on-the-ground conservation projects across the state.
For more information on Colorado’s conservation efforts, visit the Colorado Outdoors Magazine.