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Ridgway Reservoir 14 mi
Photo: A. E. Crane, U.S. Department of Transportation, Public domain 
Blue Mesa Reservoir 22 mi
Photo: MichaelKirsh, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Gunnison County 40 mi
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Uncompahgre River 29 mi
Photo: Nexus65, CC BY-SA 4.0
Colorado rivers
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East Fork Cimarron River Fishing
A Colorado river in Gunnison County.
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Ridgway Reservoir: Unknown, CC BY-SA 4.0
Colorado rivers
The East Fork Cimarron River at a glance
Through Gunnison County runs the East Fork Cimarron River, a river CPW manages for anglers. Portland lies near 12 miles from the channel.
Anglers reach it on Uncompahgre Wilderness Area.
1counties
0USGS gauges
0atlas access points
0ramps
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (special-regulation, Gold Medal and fishing location layers), NHD flowlines, Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Public access
Walk-in water on the East Fork Cimarron River
- Uncompahgre Wilderness AreaWilderness
Much Colorado stream frontage is private; on the East Fork Cimarron 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.
Access
Reaching the banks of the East Fork Cimarron River
The atlas lists no access for the East Fork Cimarron River.
When the East Fork Cimarron River ramp is crowded
- Dutch Charlie boat ramp on Ridgway ReservoirRidgway Reservoir, 14 miles
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, USGS gauges, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits
Limits a warden checks on the East Fork Cimarron 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 East Fork Cimarron River sits west of the Continental Divide. The chart is the baseline on the East Fork Cimarron 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.
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The ground surrounding the East Fork Cimarron River
Other reservoirs within a drive of the East Fork Cimarron River
- Silverjack Reservoir5 miles
- Rowdy Reservoir5 miles
- Cooper Lake13 miles
- Buckhorn Lake Little14 miles
Where to buy line and lures near the East Fork Cimarron River
- Ridgeway Marinamarina, Ouray, 14 miles
- RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Servicefly shop, Ridgway, 15 miles
- Eik Creek Marinamarina, Gunnison, 22 miles
- Lake Forkmarina, Gunnison, 22 miles
- Telluride Anglerfly shop, San Miguel, 24 miles
Outfitters who fish the East Fork Cimarron River
- Crested Butte Angler LLCfishing guide, Crested Butte
- Gunnison Valley Anglers Cofishing guide, Gunnison River, Gunnison
- High Mountain Drifters Guide Service, LLCfishing guide, Gunnison
- Dragonfly Anglers, LLCfly fishing guide, Crested Butte
Beds and gas close to the East Fork Cimarron River
- Ridgway14 miles
- Telluride24 miles
- Mountain Village26 miles
- Montrose29 miles
Colorado rivers close to the East Fork Cimarron River
- Middle Fork Cimarron River2 miles
- Little Cimarron River2 miles
- West Fork Cimarron River4 miles
- Fall Creek, Gunnison County4 miles
County guides that cover the East Fork Cimarron River
Piscifun
Piscifun tackle sized for the East Fork Cimarron River
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In photos
Photo views of fishing water near East Fork Cimarron River
Photo: A. E. Crane, U.S. Department of Transportation, Public domain
Photo: MichaelKirsh, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Nexus65, CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers
Before you drive to the East Fork Cimarron River, read these
Where does the East Fork Cimarron River run?
Look in Gunnison County.
Does CPW treat the East Fork Cimarron River as trout water worth the drive?
It carries no CPW trout label; statewide rules apply.
What did the newest USGS reading on the East Fork Cimarron River say?
No live USGS station on our list covers it.
Where can I wade the East Fork Cimarron River legally?
CPW lists Uncompahgre Wilderness Area.
Is the East Fork Cimarron River catch and release?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate.
Does Colorado sell a trout stamp for the East Fork Cimarron 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 East Fork Cimarron River?
Ridgeway Marina sits about 14 miles away.
Which fish does CPW place in the East Fork Cimarron River?
No CPW listing names its fish.
What town sits by the East Fork Cimarron River?
Portland is nearest, some 12 miles off.
Fish a few runs of the East Fork Cimarron River
Look at the flow band and limits, then go.