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Gold Medal Water  : Greatest potential for trophy trout on these Colorado rivers. |
Colorado Rivers and LakesArkansas River - Colorado River - Blue River - Eagle River - Gore Creek - Roaring Fork River - Frying Pan River - Big Thompson River - South Platte River - Taylor River - Yampa River - Gunnison River - Williams Fork River Poudre River – Located north of Denver, this river starts in Rocky Mountain National Park and flows along the Continental Divide, and down through Fort Collins. One of the most scenic rivers in the state, the Poudre is a great fishery. Home to wild trout, the Poudre is considered a National Wild and Scenic River which special restrictions and regulations on fishing it. Highway 14 runs along most of the river and provides plenty of access. Clear Creek – This river runs from Loveland ski resort down along I-70, through Georgetown, past Idaho Springs, where it then follows Highway 6 to Golden. This is a great place to go if you want to catch a lot of fish. This river has a healthy trout population that is always hungry. A great river for beginners, a dry fly on a summer day could post you 50+ fish. There are many access points along I-70 and Highway 6. Animas River – Located in Durango, this river is a good one. With fish averaging 16”, this river does not get much pressure and fishes great. US Highways 160 and 550 follow the Animas south of town. St. Vrain River – The St. Vrain is made up of 3 tributaries. The North St. Vrain Creek starts in Rocky mountain National Park and flows down towards Lyons. The Middle and South St. Vrain Creeks, start in the Indian Peaks Wilderness area. These high mountain creeks hold Browns, Rainbows, and Cutthroat, that are fun to catch. Taryall Creek – Located in South Park just off of highway 285, Taryall Creek is a great place to fish and avoid crowds. Meandering through South Park this river flows and fills Taryall Reservoir. The tailwater is also quite productive beneath the reservoir. There is limited access to the water, so be aware of where you fish. Rio Grande River – This river is located in southern Colorado between Alamosa and Pagosa Springs. US Highway 160 provides access to the river. Known for the Rio Grande Cutts, this river is a dry fly fisherman’s dream in the summer. Crystal River – This river runs from Marble down to Carbondale, where it meets up with the Roaring Fork. Well known for pumping cloudy water into the Roaring Fork and blowing it out, the Crystal is a great place to fish during the spawns. Fraser River – The Fraser River starts near Berthoud pass and flows down through Winter Park to Fraser, on to Tabernash, and down past Granby, where it is the first tributary to the Colorado River. An underrated river, the Fraser holds some big fish. Wild Rainbows, Browns, and Cutthroats can be caught on this low pressure river. If the Colorado River is a little too big and crowded for you, the Fraser is a great alternative. Uncompahgre River – A true Colorado treasure, this river does not receive the recognition it is due. Located in Ouray, the Uncompahgre flows north where it meets up with the Gunnison. The river runs along highway 550 and 50 and there is access through wildlife areas. A healthy population of fish throughout the river, with fish topping 20 inches being caught. This river is worth the trip. White River – This river starts at Trappers Lake, flows through the Flat Tops Wilderness runs through Meeker Colorado and continues on to meet the Green River in Utah. While it does not get much name recognition, it holds a healthy population of large rainbows, browns, and cutthroat, and many brookies and whitefish. East of Meeker along Road 8, up to Trappers, is the best fishing. There is some public access along Road 8, but watch for signs because there is a lot of private land and water. Lakes:Twin Lakes Trappers Lake Regional Rivers:Grey Reef (N. Platte, Wyoming)
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