.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 trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 $79.99
Rainbow Trout
Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Brook Trout
Photo: Engbretson, Eric, Public domain 
Walleye
Photo: Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0 
Channel Catfish
Photo: Hardyplants, CC0 1.0
Colorado trout streams
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 $79.99
Hat Creek Fishing
Special regulation water in Eagle County.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Sylvan Lake: 23countries, CC BY-SA 4.0
Colorado streams
The Hat Creek: course, length and access
Anglers in Eagle County fish the Hat Creek as a working stream. The nearest town on the Census list is Fulford, around 2 miles away.
CPW maps 1 reach with special fishing regulations, about 4.6 miles in all.
1counties
4.6regulated 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
Special trout water on the Hat Creek
| Reach | Miles | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Confluence with East Brush Creek / Headwaters | 4.62 | brochure lists the rule |
Where a reach of the Hat Creek carries a rule, that rule governs.
Special regulation text for the Hat Creek
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| Hat Creek | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 24 |
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.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Access
The Hat Creek mapped
The Hat Creek has no mapped ramp; use public parcels and bridges.
Other CPW ramps around the Hat Creek
- Boat Ramp on Sylvan LakeSylvan Lake, 3 miles
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, USGS gauges, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits
Colorado limits that apply on the Hat 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 |
CPW splits some limits by drainage, and the Hat Creek falls west of the Continental Divide. Unless a reach rule applies, these limits cover the Hat 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.
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.
Nearby
What sits near the Hat Creek
Lakes to pair with the Hat Creek
- Sylvan Lake3 miles
- Ruedi Reservoir11 miles
- Chapman Dam13 miles
- Nottingham Lake13 miles
Bait and flies near the Hat Creek
- Vail Valley Anglersfly shop, Edwards, 11 miles
- Fly Fishing Outfittersfly shop, Avon, 12 miles
- Hill's Discount Fliesbait and tackle shop, Avon, 13 miles
- Gore Creek Fly Fishermanbait and tackle shop, Avon, 13 miles
- Colorado Angling Companybait and tackle shop, Minturn, 15 miles
Registered outfitters around the Hat Creek
- 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
- Gone Fishing Coloradofishing guide, Basalt
- Minturn Anglers LLCfishing guide, Minturn
- Minturn Anglers Vailfishing guide, Vail, (970) 688-5290
- Rocky Mountain Drifters LLCfishing guide, Basalt
Mountain and plains towns near the Hat Creek
- Edwards9 miles
- Eagle13 miles
- Avon13 miles
- Minturn16 miles
Streams to pair with the Hat Creek
- Nolan Creek3 miles
- West Brush Creek3 miles
- West Cross Creek8 miles
- Fryingpan River11 miles
Counties holding part of the Hat Creek
Piscifun
What Piscifun makes for the Hat Creek anglers
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Know your fish
A photo lineup of the fish at Hat Creek
Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric, Public domain
Photo: Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Hardyplants, CC0 1.0
Answers
The Hat Creek: the questions anglers bring
What part of Colorado does the Hat Creek drain?
Its channel crosses Eagle County.
Is the Hat Creek stocked?
Regulated water: 1 reach.
Where are live cfs numbers for the Hat Creek posted?
USGS runs no station here.
Can I fish the Hat Creek without trespassing?
Access is not mapped; respect private banks.
How many trout may I keep from the Hat Creek under CPW rules?
Special rules apply on 1 reach. Brochure text: Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately.
What is the nonresident fee for the Hat 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 store is nearest the Hat Creek?
Vail Valley Anglers, about 11 miles away.
Which trout hold in the Hat Creek?
Species are unpublished.
Which Census place is the shortest drive from the Hat Creek?
Fulford, 2 miles out.
Block out a day on the Hat Creek
Buy the CPW license online before heading out.