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Colorado River Fishing Report — Arizona
Photo: Famartin Opens in a new tab. · CC BY-SA 4.0
Should I go fishing?
Skip fishing here today.
No access method is recommended today. Review the live conditions below before choosing another river or day.
Fishing rating39
Rating updatedRiver local time:
Why this recommendation?
USGS water temperature is about 70.3F. USGS marks the temperature data provisional and may revise it. Do not pressure trout or salmonids in warm water.
Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationHighA verified hard stop is active, so the avoid-or-wait decision is clearer than the fishing score itself.
Usually checks again about every 45 minutes
Water temperature above salmonid stress threshold
If you go
- Check first
- Use RiverReports and USGS 09380000 before choosing a wade, boat, or backhaul plan.
- Try
- Decide first whether the day is a walk-in day, a boat day, or a backhaul day. The reachable water changes the whole report.
- Leave when
- Skip or scale back when releases are changing faster than your access plan can handle, canyon wind is unsafe for your craft, heat and sun exposure are extreme, the backcountry permit or boating setup is not squared away, or rule boundaries are unclear.
Flow and weather
Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
- Flow
- 8,630 cfs
- From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.Water 70.3°F · 24h high 70.5°F · USGS provisional
- Air forecast
- 83°F
- Next 24h high
- 96.0°F
NWS air forecast near
- Rain chance
- 2%
Latest stored weather check
Mostly Clear
- Wind
- 9 mph
- Weather checked
More forecast and source details
Mostly Clear
National Weather Service
Lees Ferry forecast point
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
RiverReports gauge: Colorado River at Lees Ferry
Water 70.3°F · provisional · 24h high 70.5°F provisionalWater observed · high observed
Flies for this time of year
Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.
- Zebra MidgeZebra midgesView fly guide ↗
- Midge Patterns by Stagethread midgesView fly guide ↗
- RS2RS2-style emergersView fly guide ↗
- Soft-Hackle Wet Fliestiny soft hacklesView fly guide ↗
- Leech PatternsleechesView fly guide ↗
See flies for every season
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try
Year-roundThis season
What to look forMidges and tiny aquatic insects
Spring
What to look forMidges, small mayflies, scuds, aquatic worms
Flies to try
Summer
What to look forMidges, scuds, occasional attractor windows near structure
Flies to try
Also try scuds, light nymph rigs
FallThis season
What to look forMidges, scuds, baitfish or streamer opportunity
High or changing release
What to look forLimited surface focus
Flies to try
Also try scuds, heavier nymph rigs
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
More fishing tips
Methods, fish species and trip notes
How to fish Colorado River today.
Expect clear-water trout fishing where small changes in dam release, light, wind, and boat traffic can change the best tactic. Low, clear, bright water favors long leaders, small flies, and careful presentations. Higher or changing releases make edge fishing, heavier nymph rigs, and boat planning more important.
Low or steady release
Wade and walk-in options can be easier, but clear water demands longer leaders, smaller flies, and careful angles.
Rising dam release
Move with the water, stay off low bars that may flood, and fish fresh edge water rather than standing in changing current.
Higher release
Boat or backhaul logistics become more important. Fish protected banks, softer seams, and shelves instead of forcing unsafe wades.
Cold clear water
Use small midges, scuds, and slim nymphs with clean drifts. Sight-fishing and long drifts often matter more than changing flies every cast.
Wading, bank fishing or floating?
Not recommended todayChoose another river or day
No access method is recommended in today's conditions. Review the live river and weather checks before making another plan.
Wading39/100
Not recommended today. Recheck the river, weather, and access before planning another trip.
Bank fishing39/100
Not recommended today. Recheck the river, weather, and access before planning another trip.
Floating39/100
Not recommended today. Recheck the river, weather, and access before planning another trip.
Full river report
Is Colorado River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Arizona before you go.
The Colorado River at Lees Ferry is one of Arizona's most important trout trips because cold dam releases, clear water, canyon access, and special fishing rules all meet in one place. The best plan starts with flows, water temperature, and whether you are walking in or using a boat.
Fishing words used on this page
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge
- A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
- Cubic feet per second (cfs)
- Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
- Technical fishing
- Technical fishing means the fish are hard to fool, so careful casts and natural drifts matter.
- Nymph
- A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
- Presentation
- Presentation means how you cast and move the fly so it looks natural to a fish.
- Riffle
- A riffle is shallow, fast water broken by rocks.
- Seam
- A seam is the line where fast and slow water meet.
- Attractor fly
- An attractor fly is bright or bold. It draws a strike without copying one exact insect.
- Emerger
- An emerger copies an insect as it rises from below the water toward the surface.
- Midge
- Midges are tiny flies and a common trout food, especially in cold water.
Why this call
Why this score
Water temperatureHurts
USGS water temperature is about 70.3F. USGS marks the temperature data provisional and may revise it. Do not pressure trout or salmonids in warm water.
FlowHelps
USGS shows 8,630 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1922-2025, 104 readings) show a typical middle range of 6,460 cfs to 13,100 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
SeasonHelps
Fall: Often a comfortable season for mixed walk-in and boat plans, with midges, scuds, worms, and small streamers all worth carrying.
Public alertsHelps
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Fishing usefulnessHelps
Skip or scale back when releases are changing faster than your access plan can handle, canyon wind is unsafe for your craft, heat and sun exposure are extreme, the backcountry permit or boating setup is not squared away, or rule boundaries are unclear.
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
Use the Lees Ferry release trend and water temperature together. Stable releases are the easiest planning window. Rising or changing releases should move anglers off low bars and toward safer edges, boat control, or a later check.
Skip or scale back when releases are changing faster than your access plan can handle, canyon wind is unsafe for your craft, heat and sun exposure are extreme, the backcountry permit or boating setup is not squared away, or rule boundaries are unclear.
Decide walk-in versus boat first. Walk-in anglers should start with legal bank access near Lees Ferry. Boat anglers should verify permit, ramp, PFD, wind, and release timing before choosing fly weight or drift length.
If Lees Ferry is poor because of wind, releases, permits, or heat, compare smaller Arizona trout waters such as Canyon Creek, Black River, or the Little Colorado only after checking their current rules and access.
Colorado River access and rules.
Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter.
Before you go
Verify current NPS and Arizona rules before fishing. NPS lists the Glen Canyon Dam to beginning of Paria Riffle reach as artificial fly and lure only, barbless hooks only, and a 2-rainbow-trout daily limit. Rainbow trout taken from this portion must be killed and retained as part of the bag limit or immediately released. The area immediately below Glen Canyon Dam, posted with buoys, is closed to entry.
Where to access the river
Lees Ferry launch ramp
NPS lists a public launch ramp at Lees Ferry. The ramp is the main staging point for upriver boat and backhaul plans.
Walk-in bank water near Lees Ferry
NPS states permits are not required for visitors only hiking or fishing along the riverbank.
Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry area
Watercraft users in this area need a Lees Ferry Backcountry Permit from the self-service kiosks near the launch area.
Paria Riffle area
Important rule boundary. NPS separates rules from Glen Canyon Dam to the beginning of Paria Riffle and from Paria Riffle to Navajo Bridge.
Marble Canyon and Navajo Bridge
Useful travel and orientation points. NPS notes services at Marble Canyon and recommends stopping at Navajo Bridge.
- Lees Ferry is reached from Page by US 89 and US 89A, then a paved road into the ferry area.
- Do not block the launch ramp. NPS notes a 30-minute length-of-time restriction at public access courtesy docks and ramps.
- The river is cold and clear even when desert air is hot. Wading and boating plans should account for cold-water exposure.
- If using a boat, check NPS vessel restrictions, horsepower rules at high releases, PFD rules, and the backcountry permit requirement.
- Summer heat, canyon wind, and limited shade can be more dangerous than the fishing looks from the parking lot.
Sources and report details
Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
See all 8 checked sources
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
What this source covers
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
What this source covers
Open this page for more river information and check when it was last updated.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
What this source covers
Open this page for more river information and check when it was last updated.
How this report was checked
How this report was checked
Reviewed byBlueStreamFly River Review Team
Trip guidance checked
What was checked: This report is maintained from official flow, temperature, weather, NPS access, and Arizona/NPS regulation sources, then translated into clear Lees Ferry fishability guidance.
Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.
First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.
Quick questions
Is the Colorado River at Lees Ferry good for fly fishing?
Yes. NPS describes the cold clear water between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry as a world-class trout fishery. It is a technical tailwater, so flows, clarity, rules, and access style matter.
What gauge should I check?
Use RiverReports for a quick chart and USGS 09380000, Colorado River at Lees Ferry, for official streamflow, gage height, and water temperature.
Do I need a permit?
Bank-only hiking and fishing do not require the Lees Ferry Backcountry Permit according to NPS. Visitors using any watercraft between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry do need the permit.
What flies should I bring?
Bring tiny midges, scuds, pheasant tails, slim nymphs, San Juan worms, small eggs, soft hackles, and a few small streamers.