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North Fork South Platte River flowing through Buffalo Creek, Colorado, with Mount Anne in the background
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North Fork South Platte River Fishing Report

Photo: Jeffrey Beall Opens in a new tab. · CC BY 3.0

Should I go fishing?

Yes — worth going.

No single best way to fish. Wading and Bank fishing have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.

Rating updatedRiver local time:

Why this recommendation?

Colorado DWR shows 156 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. Colorado DWR records for this date (1995-2025, 30 readings) show a typical middle range of 71 cfs to 264 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.

Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationHighCurrent flow, weather, alerts, and trip-critical signals support this decision.
Usually checks again about every 45 minutes

If you go

Check
Open the Bailey DWR graph and read its timestamp and trend.
Fish
Start at a confirmed public reach with a dry-dropper or light nymph rig.
Leave
Stop if the flow rises, the water reaches 70°F, or access is unclear.

Flow and weather

Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
Flow
156 cfs
From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.
Air forecast
71°F
Next 24h high
73.0°F

NWS air forecast near

Rain chance
0%

This is an air forecast, not a river-temperature reading. Check the water with a stream thermometer before fishing in hot weather.

Latest stored weather check

Sunny

Wind
5 mph
Weather checked
More forecast and source details

Sunny

National Weather Service

North Fork South Platte near Bailey forecast point

The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.

Live data

Where these readings come from

Latest stored Colorado DWR gauge: North Fork South Platte at Bailey

Official Colorado DWR station Opens in a new tab.RiverReports gauge Opens in a new tab.Official NWS forecast Opens in a new tab.

Flies for this time of year

Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.

See flies for every season

North Fork flies through the year.

Use the date range first, then change one fly at a time.

SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try

All 18 fly names link to a matching Fly Box guide and image.

More fishing tips

Methods, fish species and trip notes

Let the Bailey trend choose the water.

Fish close water from a confirmed public bank. Do not cross a rising channel to reach another run.

Steady or falling

Start with a dry-dropper or light nymph rig in soft seams and pocket water.

Low and clear

Use a longer leader, smaller flies, and a quiet bank approach.

Rising or stained

Stay out of the main current. Leave if footing or a safe exit is doubtful.

70°F or warmer

Stop trout fishing and choose cooler water.

Wading, bank fishing or floating?
Access choicesNo single best option

Wading and Bank fishing have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.

Wading92/100

Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.

Bank fishing92/100

Bank and edge fishing remains a practical low-commitment option if access is legal and footing is safe.

FloatingNot recommended

This report does not recommend floating this reach.

Full river report

Check the Bailey flow, choose a confirmed public reach, and carry a thermometer. This report is for wading and bank fishing, not floating.

Fish only when the Bailey graph is fresh and not rising, the water is below 70°F, and your chosen reach is clearly public.

Fishing words used on this page
Cubic feet per second (cfs)
Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
Nymph
A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
Seam
A seam is the line where fast and slow water meet.
Blue-winged olive (BWO)
Blue-winged olives, or BWOs, are small mayflies that often hatch in cool or cloudy weather.
Caddis
Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
Confluence
A confluence is the place where two streams or rivers meet.
Dry-dropper
A dry-dropper rig has a floating fly with an underwater fly tied below it.
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.
Pale morning dun (PMD)
Pale morning duns, or PMDs, are light-colored mayflies that often hatch in warmer months.
Why this call

Why this score

FlowHelps

Colorado DWR shows 156 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. Colorado DWR records for this date (1995-2025, 30 readings) show a typical middle range of 71 cfs to 264 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.

SeasonHelps

Fall · September through November: Cooler water brings BWOs, midges, October caddis, and small streamers.

WeatherHelps

The current NWS air forecast is about 71F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 73F. Sunny.

Public alertsHelps

No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.

Fishing usefulnessHelps

Leave when flow rises, footing is unsafe, water reaches 70°F, an official restriction applies, or access is unclear.

Trip notes

Four useful trip notes.

Best flows

PLABAICO reports discharge at Bailey. Use a fresh, steady or falling trend. It does not tell you water temperature, clarity, access, or another reach’s flow.

When to leave

Leave when flow rises, footing is unsafe, water reaches 70°F, an official restriction applies, or access is unclear.

Local plan

Choose one of the four reach cards, open its official link, and fish a short section well.

Backup water

If the North Fork does not fit, check the South Platte, Tarryall Creek, or Clear Creek report from scratch.

What you can fish for

Brown trout

Primary fish

When: Cool, open-water periods

Use the small-stream dry, nymph, and streamer advice on this page.

Rainbow trout

Also present

When: Cool, open-water periods

Use the same temperature and handling check as brown trout.

Cutthroat and cutbow trout

Check current rules

When: Confirm the exact reach

Do not plan the trip around them without current section-by-section evidence.

Brook trout

Check current rules

When: Headwater context only

This report does not confirm brook trout in each main-stem reach.

Four reaches. Four official checks.

Choose one reach and open its link before you park.

Before you go

Check current CPW rules and posted signs for the exact reach. Do not carry rules from Deckers or Eleven Mile Canyon onto the North Fork.

Rules by reach

Rules by reach: fishing rules by reach and season
River section and seasonFishing rules
BaileyMcGraw Park

The clearest documented public start: several hundred feet, a bridge, and a fishing deck.

Official rule
Grantupper river

Use the atlas and posted signs. The Bailey gauge is downstream of this reach.

Official rule
PinePine Valley Ranch

Use the county map to separate park land, trails, and marked private property within Pine Valley Ranch.

Official rule
Foxton and South Platte confluence

Use the Fishing Atlas and posted signs to confirm the exact public parcel before North Fork guidance gives way to the main South Platte.

Official rule
  • Private frontage breaks up the river. A road, bridge, pullout, or nearby public parcel does not open an unmarked bank.

If this water does not fit the day, check another report before you start the drive.

ColoradoSouth Platte River fishing reportThe better-known Deckers and Cheesman corridor downstream.ColoradoTarryall Creek fishing reportA South Park creek option with seasonal access and special-rule planning.ColoradoClear Creek Canyon and Golden fishing reportUse the Clear Creek report for the Golden and Clear Creek Canyon corridor, Golden gauge, current lower-reach advisories, access, and flies. It does not cover upper Clear Creek, the West Fork, or Clear Creek Reservoir.
See all Colorado fly fishing reports

Sources and report details

DWR flow, CPW rules and maps, county access, weather, and water-quality sources were checked August 21, 2026. No field visit is claimed.

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 10 checked sources

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.

Recently checked. Last checked . Conditions and rules can still change, so open decision-critical links before fishing.

See something wrong? Report a source problem. Please do not send private spots or private access notes.

How this report was checked

How this report was checked

Trip guidance checked

What was checked: DWR flow, CPW rules and maps, county access, weather, and water-quality sources were checked. No field visit is claimed.

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

What does the North Fork South Platte Bailey gauge show?

Colorado DWR PLABAICO shows discharge at Bailey and its recent trend. It does not show water temperature, clarity, access, or conditions on every reach.

Where is public access on the North Fork South Platte?

McGraw Park is the clearest documented start. Use the official link on each of the four reach cards for Grant, Pine Valley Ranch, Foxton, and the confluence.

What North Fork South Platte fishing rules apply?

Check current CPW rules and posted signs for the exact reach. Do not copy rules from another South Platte section.

Can I float the North Fork South Platte?

This report does not verify a safe, legal float reach, launch, or takeout. Plan to fish from the bank or wade at confirmed public access.