Colorado is home to some of the most diverse and productive fishing locations in the country. And it helps that the lakes and rivers are surrounded by such beautiful mountain scenery no matter the season!
Check out our Colorado Fishing Reports before you decide which part of the state you are going head down to to throw a line in today so you are up to date with the latest local fishing information.
From the Colorado River to the Vallecito Reservoir and from Blue Mesa to Delaney Butte. Wherever you are in Colorado we’ve got you covered with fishing reports that you can use to figure out where the fish are biting and where they aren’t.
Table of Contents
Today’s Colorado Fishing Reports
All Colorado fishing reports are lovingly provided by local businesses who take the time and effort to give you the information you need right here online so that you can decide whether to fish or not from the comfort of your living room (or bathroom!) Keep in mind that not all fishing reports are updated everyday, especially outside of the season. I’ve tried to include only Colorado fishing reports that are regularly updated so that you can have access to the latest fishing reports near you wherever you are.
Remember, the only surefire way to know if the fish are biting today is to go throw a line in the water!
Please support these local businesses and help them continue to provide fishing reports across Colorado by checking out their websites and maybe picking up a lure or two from their shops on your next visit to the area.
Colorado River
The Colorado River originates near Grand Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park and runs all the way through Western Colorado. Sections of the river are referred to as the Upper Colorado River, Middle Colorado River and Lower Colorado River. Some locals may argue over exactly where one section starts and the next section begins, so you might notice some differences in how each fishing report refers to which section of the Colorado river.
Lower Colorado River
The Lower Colorado River Fishing Reports covers the area roughly from Grizzly Creek down through Glenwood Springs to Rifle. This section of the river is much more lightly visited by anglers than the rest of the Colorado River, the further west of Denver you go the fewer people you will see. Float fishing is well suited to the Lower Colorado River and there are put ins and take outs at Rifle, Slit, New Castle, Dino, South Canyon and Grizzly Creek. The sections of the Lower Colorado River below Glenwood Springs are where you should look to first early in the season after the winter thaw.
- USGS Lower Colorado River Data downstream of Glenwood Springs
- Trouts Lower Colorado River Fishing Report
Middle Colorado River
The Middle Colorado River Fishing Reports includes conditions along the river from Kremmling through to Dotsero. Starting in Gore Canyon the Middle Colorado River is the pick for fishermen of all skillsets. Pumphouse is the most popular access point to the river in this section especially in summer. You will find the section between Rancho del Rio and Gore Canyon to be the most heavily trafficked by fishers. If you are taking the kids with you this stretch of river is ideal for floating and learning how to row because there are minimal rapids and the water flow is generally fairly mild through here. But as always, check the conditions before you go.
- USGS Middle Colorado River Data near Kremmling
- USGS Middle Colorado River Data near Dotsero
- Fly Cast Middle Colorado River Report
- Trouts Middle Colorado River Fishing Report
- Cutthroat Anglers Pumphouse Fishing Report
Upper Colorado River
The Upper Colorado River Fishing Reports covers the section of the river from Granby where the Frasier River West joins down along down through Hot Sulphur Springs to where Troublesome Creek flows the Colorado River just west of Parshall. The section of the river is one of Colorado’s Gold Medal Waters and earned the recognition due to the high number of Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout that you can find here. There is river access just downstream of Hot Sulphur Springs at the State Wildlife Area, with several pullouts along highway 40 also providing good access to the Upper Colorado.
- Fly Cast Upper Colorado River Report
- Trouts Upper Colorado River Fishing Report
- Cutthroat Anglers Parshall Fishing Report
San Juan River Colorado
The San Juan River Fishing Reports includes the San Juan Basin area flowing out the Rocky Mountains through Pagosa Springs and down into the Navajo Reservoir across the border. You will seldom find yourself alone when fishing in the Pagosa area, but you might get lucky in the Fall to find a secluded spot on the San Juan River all to yourself.
- USGS San Juan River Data at Pagosa Springs
- Trouts San Juan River Fishing Report
- San Juan Angler Report
Eagle River
The Eagle River Colorado Fishing Reports cover the 70 odd miles of flow right through the Vail Valley. Starting from the top of the Tennessee Pass and continuing down to where the Eagle River meets the mighty Colorado near Dotsero, the river passes through towns including Edwards, Avon, Red Cliff, Wolcott and Minturn. You will find fast water fishing in the Upper Eagle and plenty of Brown Trout, whereas the Lower Eagle will bring you a slightly more crowded day out due to its good public access points. Best fished in spring and early summer, this section of river is famous for the Caddis hatches that river those in the Arkansas River.
- Fly Fishing Outfitters Eagle River Fishing Report
- Vail Valley Anglers Eagle River Fishing Report
- Fly Cast Eagle River Report
- Trouts Upper Eagle River Report from Minturn to Wolcott
- Trouts Lower Eagle River Report from Wolcott to Dotsero
- Cutthroat Anglers Eagle River Report
- USGS Eagle River Data at Red Cliff
- USGS Eagle River Data near Minturn
Blue River
The Blue River Colorado Fishing Reports follow the river from Blue River itself down through Breckenridge and Lake Dillon at Silverthorne and on the the Green Mountain Reservoir and below. The Blue River is about an hour and a half west of Denver off the I-70 making it one of the best weekend options for Denver locals. The water is ice cold once it leaves Lake Dillon which really affects how the trout feed. Go too early and the cold waters mean the trout aren’t interested in doing much at all. But as the weather warms up throughout the day the fishing gets a whole lot better.
- Fly Cast Blue River Fishing Report near Silverthorne
- Trouts Blue River Report at Breckenridge
- Trouts Blue River Report at Silverthorne
- Trouts Blue River Report below Green Mountain Reservoir
- USGS Blue River Data
- USGS Blue River Data below Green Mountain Reservoir
The Last Cast
Colorado is spoiled for choice for good fishing spots with thousands of creeks, river and lakes spread across the state. From the alpine lakes and streams in the high mountains to the famed Gold Medal Waters that are packed full with varieties of trout, salmon and pike, there is no shortage of opportunities to get your line wet and maybe even keep your belly full.
Whether you are a Denver local or perched in a cabin in the Rocky Mountains, you are sure to find a waterhole near you where the fish are biting.
Do you have a local lake or river in mind that is missing from our Colorado fishing reports?
Let me know and I’ll see if I can dig up any information for you.
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