.sf-co{–ink:#1C1F22;–deep:#43484D;–teal:#563A86;–mist:#F1F0EC;–foam:#FAFAF8;–lure:#F2C14E;–lure-ink:#3A2A00;–line:#DEDCD5;–muted:#4E5257}.sf-co .sf-hero{background-color:#43484D;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 500px at 4% 100%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),radial-gradient(720px 440px at 96% 0%,rgba(244,246,250,.22),rgba(244,246,250,0) 60%),linear-gradient(160deg,#5A5F64,#43484D 46%,#1E2124);clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 30px),93% calc(100% – 58px),86% calc(100% – 26px),79% calc(100% – 50px),71% calc(100% – 12px),62% calc(100% – 46px),55% calc(100% – 20px),46% calc(100% – 62px),37% calc(100% – 18px),29% calc(100% – 40px),21% calc(100% – 8px),12% calc(100% – 44px),5% calc(100% – 22px),0 calc(100% – 36px));padding-bottom:92px}.sf-co .sf-hero::before{background:linear-gradient(80deg,rgba(28,31,34,.86) 0%,rgba(28,31,34,.56) 50%,rgba(28,31,34,.30) 100%)}.sf-co .sf-eyebrow{border-radius:3px;background:#1C1F22;color:#FBE7B4;border-bottom:3px solid #F2C14E;padding:5px 13px 3px;letter-spacing:.09em}.sf-co .sf-hero .sf-sub{color:#F1F1EE}.sf-co .sf-hero .sf-credit{background:rgba(17,19,21,.64);padding:3px 9px;border-radius:3px;color:#F1F1EE}.sf-co .sf-hero[style*=”background-image”]::before{background:linear-gradient(98deg,rgba(28,31,34,.90) 0%,rgba(28,31,34,.66) 46%,rgba(67,72,77,.32) 80%,rgba(67,72,77,.16) 100%),linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(18,20,22,.72),rgba(18,20,22,0) 50%)}.sf-co .sf-bar{background-color:#1C1F22;background-image:radial-gradient(560px 230px at 4% 100%,rgba(242,193,78,.22),rgba(242,193,78,0)),linear-gradient(100deg,#1C1F22 40%,#4A4F55)}.sf-co .sf-bar p{color:#E8E8E4}.sf-co .sf-band–white,.sf-co .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-color:#fff;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 4% 8%,rgba(86,58,134,.10),rgba(86,58,134,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 96% 94%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),radial-gradient(640px 400px at 50% 50%,rgba(222,220,213,.30),rgba(222,220,213,0) 62%),linear-gradient(135deg,#FFFFFF,#FAFAF7,#EFEEE8)}.sf-co .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 96% 8%,rgba(86,58,134,.10),rgba(86,58,134,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 4% 94%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),linear-gradient(225deg,#FFFFFF,#FAFAF7,#EFEEE8)}.sf-co .sf-band–mist{background-color:#F1F0EC;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 520px at 8% 8%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 64%),radial-gradient(720px 460px at 92% 94%,rgba(86,58,134,.12),rgba(86,58,134,0) 62%),linear-gradient(160deg,#F7F6F2,#F1F0EC,#E4E2DA)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep,.sf-co .sf-band–ink{color:#F1F1EE}.sf-co .sf-band–deep{background-color:#3D4247;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 92% 6%,rgba(244,246,250,.10),rgba(244,246,250,0) 62%),radial-gradient(800px 500px at 6% 94%,rgba(242,193,78,.16),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#4C5156,#3D4247,#272A2D)}.sf-co .sf-band–ink{background-color:#1C1F22;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 8% 6%,rgba(86,58,134,.34),rgba(86,58,134,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 480px at 94% 96%,rgba(242,193,78,.12),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#272A2E,#1C1F22,#111315)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-src,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-src{color:#DADAD5}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-head p,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-head p,.sf-co .sf-cta p{color:#E9E9E5}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-card p,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-card p,.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-fact span,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-fact span{color:#E4E4E0}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-list li span,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-list li span{color:#E9E9E5}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–mist .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–white .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn){color:#4A2F78}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–mist .sf-list li>span,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–white .sf-list li>span{color:#4B4F54}.sf-co .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#563A86,#9A86C2)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-barrow .t,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#D9A22E,#F2C14E)}.sf-co .sf-pill{background:#ECE8F3;color:#2E2346}.sf-co .sf-btn:hover{background:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-card-img,.sf-co .sf-tile{background-color:#43484D}.sf-co .sf-q p{color:#2E3135}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-kicker,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-kicker,.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-fact b,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-fact b{color:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-kicker{color:#563A86}.sf-co .sf-pf-card h3{color:#1C1F22!important}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-btn–ghost,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-btn–ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.48);background:rgba(17,19,21,.38)}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-tablewrap{color:#1C1F22;border-color:#DEDCD5}.sf-co .sf-table td{color:#1C1F22}.sf-co .sf-table th{background:#43484D;color:#fff}.sf-co .sf-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#F5F4F0}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-tablewrap a,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#4A2F78}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-q,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-q{background:rgba(255,255,255,.07);border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.18)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-q p,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-q p{color:#ECECE8}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-q h3,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-q h3{color:#FFFFFF}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-pill a{color:#4A2F78}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-card .sf-more,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-card .sf-more{color:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-bar .sf-crumbs,.sf-co .sf-bar .sf-crumbs span,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-bar .sf-crumbs a{color:#FFFFFF}.sf-co .sf-note{color:#1C1F22}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-note a{color:#4A2F78}@media (max-width:760px){.sf-co .sf-hero{clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 18px),88% calc(100% – 34px),76% calc(100% – 12px),62% calc(100% – 32px),50% calc(100% – 6px),37% calc(100% – 30px),24% calc(100% – 10px),12% calc(100% – 28px),0 calc(100% – 14px));padding-bottom:62px}}
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 $119.99
Dillon Reservoir 21 mi
Photo: Mcphail492, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Sylvan Lake 30 mi
Photo: 23countries, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Eagle River 19 mi
Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Green Mountain Reservoir 6.0 mi
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Colorado trout streams
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 $79.99
Cataract Creek Fishing
Special regulation water in Summit County.
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Dillon Reservoir: PEO ACWA, CC BY 2.0
Colorado streams
The Cataract Creek at a glance
Through Summit County runs the Cataract Creek, a stream CPW manages for anglers. Heeney lies near 5 miles from the channel.
About 10.1 miles in 1 reach fall under special regulations. Anglers reach it on Eagles Nest Wilderness Area.
1counties
10.1regulated miles
0USGS gauges
0atlas access points
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (special-regulation, Gold Medal and fishing location layers), NHD flowlines, Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Special regulations
Reaches of the Cataract Creek with their own rules
| Reach | Miles | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Cataract Lake outlet / Lower Cataract Lake inlet / Mirror Lake outlet / Mirror Lake inlet / Upper Mirror Lake outlet / Upper Mirror Lake inlet / Headwaters / Green | 10.08 | see the brochure entry |
Each regulated stretch of the Cataract Creek has the tackle or harvest rule shown, or the one printed in the brochure.
Brochure entries for the Cataract Creek
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| Cataract Creek | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 14 |
Special regulations as printed in the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pp. 11 to 39, checked against CPW Chapter W-1 (as approved 13 November 2025); retrieved October 2026.
CPW special fishing regulation and Quality Waters layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Public access
Walk-in water on the Cataract Creek
- Eagles Nest Wilderness AreaWilderness
Much Colorado stream frontage is private; on the Cataract Creek, fish from the properties listed and respect posted boundaries.
CPW Fishing Atlas fishing location property names and Quality Waters access notes, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Access
Reaching the banks of the Cataract Creek
The atlas lists no access for the Cataract Creek.
When the Cataract Creek ramp is crowded
- Heeney Marina Ramp on Green Mountain ReservoirGreen Mountain Reservoir, 5 miles
- McDonald Flats Ramp on Green Mountain ReservoirGreen Mountain Reservoir, 7 miles
- Williams Fork Reservoir boat rampWilliams Fork Reservoir, 17 miles
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, USGS gauges, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits
Limits a warden checks on the Cataract Creek
| Species | Bag and possession | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee) | Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Brook trout 8 inches or less (bonus) | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Kokanee salmon | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Walleye, saugeye and sauger | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Smallmouth bass | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Channel, flathead and blue catfish | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Yellow perch | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Northern pike and bullhead | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
Drainage matters for walleye, wiper and perch limits; the Cataract Creek sits west of the Continental Divide. The chart is the baseline on the Cataract Creek; brochure entries can tighten it.
Colorado sells no separate trout stamp; a CPW fishing license covers trout ($44.87 for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents), and anglers 16 and older need one.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026. All Colorado limits.
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Nearby
The ground surrounding the Cataract Creek
Other reservoirs within a drive of the Cataract Creek
- Green Mountain Reservoir6 miles
- Piney Lake6 miles
- Nottingham Lake15 miles
- Williams Fork Reservoir16 miles
Where to buy line and lures near the Cataract Creek
- Master Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Heeney, 5 miles
- Heeney Marina At Green Mtnmarina, Silverthorne, 5 miles
- Cutthroat Anglersfly shop, Silverthorne, 8 miles
- Vail Sportsbait and tackle shop, Vail, 11 miles
- Minturn Anglers Vailfly shop, Vail, 11 miles
Outfitters who fish the Cataract Creek
- Alpine Fishing Adventuresfishing guide, Frisco, (303) 885-6292
- Cutthroat Anglers LLCfishing guide, Silverthorne
- Integrity Fishing Ventures Incfishing guide, Dillon
- Mountain Anglerfishing guide, Breckenridge, (970) 453-4665
- Silver Flask Fishingfishing guide, Dillon
- Summit Fishing Guidesfishing guide, Dillon, (970) 680-3474
- The Affable Angler Corp.fishing guide, Breckenridge
- Stonefly Angler LLCfly fishing guide, Breckenridge
Beds and gas close to the Cataract Creek
- Vail11 miles
- Avon14 miles
- Silverthorne17 miles
- Kremmling18 miles
Colorado rivers close to the Cataract Creek
- East Meadow Creek6 miles
- Meadow Creek6 miles
- Piney River8 miles
- Spruce Creek near Heeney, Summit County9 miles
County guides that cover the Cataract Creek
Piscifun
Piscifun tackle sized for the Cataract Creek
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
In photos
Photo views of fishing water near Cataract Creek
Photo: Mcphail492, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: 23countries, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Answers
Before you drive to the Cataract Creek, read these
Where does the Cataract Creek run?
Look in Summit County.
Does CPW treat the Cataract Creek as trout water worth the drive?
Special rules cover 1 reach.
What did the newest USGS reading on the Cataract Creek say?
No live USGS station on our list covers it.
Where can I wade the Cataract Creek legally?
CPW lists Eagles Nest Wilderness Area.
Is the Cataract Creek catch and release?
Reach rules cover 1 reach. From the brochure: Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately.
Does Colorado sell a trout stamp for the Cataract Creek?
Colorado sells no separate trout stamp; a CPW fishing license covers trout ($44.87 for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents), and anglers 16 and older need one.
Which tackle counter on our Colorado list is nearest the Cataract Creek?
Master Bait & Tackle sits about 5 miles away.
Which fish does CPW place in the Cataract Creek?
No CPW listing names its fish.
What town sits by the Cataract Creek?
Heeney is nearest, some 5 miles off.
Fish a few runs of the Cataract Creek
Look at the flow band and limits, then go.