Colorado River Fishing
47.8 Gold Medal miles in Eagle County and 3 other counties.
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The Colorado River at a glance
Through Eagle County and 3 other counties runs the Colorado River, a river CPW manages for anglers. Its Colorado flowline runs about 305.5 miles. Dotsero lies near 4 miles from the channel. CPW lists about 47.8 miles as Gold Medal.
About 236.1 miles in 7 reaches fall under special regulations. Anglers reach it on Hot Sulphur Springs SWA, James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Connected Lakes Section and James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Corn Lake Section. Flow is measured at 6 active gauges.
CPW Quality Waters: The iconic Colorado River below Gore Canyon offers a variety of fishing experiences. From the bottom of Gore Canyon to Dotsero, this scenic wild river can be accessed along the Colorado River Road, a less traveled but well-maintained gravel road provides access to shorelines and boat ramps to launch boats to fish the river. More developed surroundings in Glenwood Canyon and through the town of Glenwood Springs provide paved trails and parks for easy public access to this extraordinary quality trout river. Downstream of Glenwood Springs, incognito pull-outs along I-70 provide shore anglers ex
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (special-regulation, Gold Medal and fishing location layers), NHD flowlines, Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
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| Gold Medal reach | Miles |
|---|---|
| Fraser River to Troublesome Creek | 23.3 |
| Canyon Creek to Rock Creek | 24.5 |
Gold Medal means CPW has measured trophy-grade trout numbers on the Colorado River reaches listed.
CPW Gold Medal Streams layer (reach miles computed from the line geometry) and the Gold Medal list in the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 3, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Reaches of the Colorado River with their own rules
| Reach | Miles | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| From Rock Creek downstream to Silt Boat Ramp | 78 | From Rock Creek downstream to Silt boat ramp (excluding 50 yards upstream and downstream of the confluences with Canyon, Elk, Grizzly and No Name Creeks): 1. The bag and possession limit for trout is two fish. 2. There is no bag or possession limit for chann |
| Confluence with the Williams Fork River / US 40 bridge approximately three miles west of Hot Sulphur Springs | 3.93 | rule text in the brochure |
| I-70 Exit 90 bridge at Rifle / 50 yards downstream of the Canyon Creek confluence / 50 yards upstream of the Grizzly Creek confluence / Confluence with Troublesome Creek | 125.69 | printed in the brochure only |
| 50 yards downstream of the Grizzly Creek confluence / 50 yards upstream of the Grizzly Creek confluence / 50 yards downstream of the No Name Creek confluence / 50 yards u | 0.21 | brochure lists the rule |
| Windy Gap Reservoir outlet / Windy Gap Reservoir inlet / US 40 bridge approximately 3 miles west of Hot Sulphur Springs / Lake Granby Dam | 18.9 | rule in the CPW brochure |
| Confluence with Troublesome Creek (approximately 5 miles east of Kremmling) / Confluence with the Williams Fork River | 7.94 | see CPW brochure |
| Shadow Mountain Reservoir dam / Lake Granby inlet | 1.4 | see the brochure entry |
Each regulated stretch of the Colorado River has the tackle or harvest rule shown, or the one printed in the brochure.
Brochure entries for the Colorado River
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| from Fraser River to Troublesome Creek and from Canyon Creek (Grand Co.) to Rock Creek. From Granby Dam downstream to the U.S. 40 bridge approximately 3 miles west of Hot Sulphur Springs: | Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. | p. 15 |
| From the U.S. 40 bridge approximately 3 miles west of the Hot Sulphur Springs downstream to confluence with Troublesome Creek (approximately 5 miles east of Kremmling): | Artificial flies and lures only. Trout must be returned to water immediately. | p. 15 |
| From the confluence with the Williams Fork River downstream to the state line: | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. | p. 15 |
| From the confluence with Troublesome Creek downstream to I-70 Exit 90 bridge at Rifle (excluding 50 yards upstream and downstream of the confluences with Canyon, Elk, Grizzly and No Name Creeks): | Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. | p. 15 |
| From 50 yards upstream and downstream of the confluences with Canyon, Elk, Grizzly and No Name Creeks: | Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. Fishing prohibited March 15–May 31 and Oct. 1–Nov. 30. | p. 15 |
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.
Walk-in water on the Colorado River
- Hot Sulphur Springs SWASWA, 2,115 acres
- James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Connected Lakes SectionState Park
- James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Corn Lake SectionState Park
- James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Fruita SectionState Park
- James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Island Acres SectionState Park
- Kemp Breeze SWASWA, 1,710.9 acres
- Loma SWAState Wildlife Area
- Parachute Ponds SWASWA, 26.7 acres
- Pioneer Parkpublic property
- Radium SWA – Fishing EasementFishing Access, 4.6 acres
- Rocky Mountain National Park – WildernessWilderness
- Town of Palisade Riverbend Parkpublic property
- Upper Colorado River Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area
- Wheeler SWASWA, 47.9 acres
Much Colorado stream frontage is private; on the Colorado River, 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.
The fishery in the Colorado River
CPW ties these fish to the Colorado River; others likely live there.
CPW Quality Waters species, state records and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Flow stations along the Colorado River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Below Baker Gulch Nr Grand Lake, Co | 13 cfs, 4.12 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:00 pm |
| Colorado River Bl Shadow Mountain Reservoir, Co. | 46 cfs, 1.60 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:15 pm |
| Colorado River Below Lake Granby, Co. | 21 cfs, 3.29 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:15 pm |
| Colorado River At Windy Gap, Near Granby, Co. | 67 cfs, 3.38 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:45 pm |
| Colorado River Near Kremmling, Co | 201 cfs, 3.05 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 9:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Reservoir releases upstream can lift the Colorado River without warning.
USGS instantaneous values, provisional; Colorado River Below Baker Gulch Nr Grand Lake, CO, Colorado River Bl Shadow Mountain Reservoir, CO, Colorado River Below Lake Granby, CO and Colorado River Near Granby, CO.
Reaching the banks of the Colorado River
The atlas lists no access for the Colorado River.
When the Colorado River ramp is crowded
- Roaring Fork SWAboat ramp, universal-water ramp, condition good, CDOW, 19 miles
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, USGS gauges, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits a warden checks on the Colorado River
| 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 Colorado River sits west of the Continental Divide. The chart is the baseline on the Colorado River; 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.
Colorado record fish pulled from the Colorado River
| Species | Category | Weight or length | Angler | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Trout | heritage length (to 2019) | 38 inches in | Darrel Armstrong | |
| Longnose Sucker | catch and release length | 19.75 in | Theodore Spence | 2026 |
CPW state records, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), retrieved October 25, 2026.
The ground surrounding the Colorado River
Other reservoirs within a drive of the Colorado River
- Gypsum Ponds8 miles
- Sweetwater Lake9 miles
- Deep Lake, Garfield County13 miles
- Heart Lake, Garfield County14 miles
Where to buy line and lures near the Colorado River
- Gearhead Outfitters, 205 West 6th Streetsporting goods store, Glenwood Springs, 17 miles
- Gold Medal Nets LLCbait and tackle shop, Glenwood Springs, 18 miles
- Roaring Fork Anglersfly shop, Glenwood Springs, 18 miles
- Alpine Anglingbait and tackle shop, Carbondale, 21 miles
- Crystal Fly Shop & Decorfly shop, Carbondale, 22 miles
Outfitters who fish the Colorado River
- Alpine Anglingfishing guide, Carbondale, (970) 963-9245
- Alpine Angling/Adventure Travel,Incfishing guide, Carbondale
- Anderson's Fish Camp LLCfishing guide, Avon
- Aspen Angling Company LLCfishing guide, Vail
- Basalt Fishing Expeditions LLCfishing guide, Basalt
- Colorado Angling Company LLCfishing guide, Edwards
- Elevated Angling, LLCfishing guide, Carbondale
- Gone Fishing Coloradofishing guide, Basalt
Beds and gas close to the Colorado River
- Gypsum8 miles
- Eagle14 miles
- Glenwood Springs18 miles
- El Jebel20 miles
Colorado rivers close to the Colorado River
- Deep Creek, Garfield County10 miles
- Sweetwater Creek13 miles
- No Name Creek13 miles
- Grizzly Creek13 miles
County guides that cover the Colorado River
Piscifun tackle sized for the Colorado River
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Photo views of fishing water near Colorado River
Photo: 23countries, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Unknown author Unknown author or not provided, Public domain
Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0
Before you drive to the Colorado River, read these
Where does the Colorado River run?
Look in Eagle County, Garfield County, Grand County and Mesa County.
Does CPW treat the Colorado River as trout water worth the drive?
CPW rates some 47.8 miles Gold Medal.
What did the newest USGS reading on the Colorado River say?
The 6 USGS gauges report above.
Where can I wade the Colorado River legally?
CPW lists Hot Sulphur Springs SWA, James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Connected Lakes Section, James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Corn Lake Section and James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Fruita Section.
Is the Colorado River catch and release?
Reach rules cover 7 reaches. From the brochure: Bag and possession limit for trout is 2.
Does Colorado sell a trout stamp for the Colorado River?
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 Colorado River?
Gearhead Outfitters sits about 17 miles away.
Which fish does CPW place in the Colorado River?
CPW records mention rainbow trout, brown trout and longnose sucker.
What town sits by the Colorado River?
Dotsero is nearest, some 4 miles off.
Fish a few runs of the Colorado River
Look at the flow band and limits, then go.