Fishing in the Roaring Fork Valley 

Our valley is defined by our rivers. We have two rivers, the Roaring Fork River and the Fryingpan River that are designated as “Gold Medal” waters. 

Streams designated as “Gold Medal” by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife are those considered to provide outstanding angling opportunities for large trout. These designations are given out sparingly and represent the highest quality aquatic habitat in Colorado. Special regulations may be required to maintain gold medal quality in these waters. There are over 9,000 miles of trout streams in Colorado. Out of this total only but a fraction is currently designated as Gold Medal streams. We are truly fortunate to have two rivers in our valley with this designation. 

Colorado Gold Metal Waters:

Animas River 

From Lightner Creek to the Purple Cliffs.

Arkansas River 

From the Lake Fork confluence near Leadville and US 50 bridge crossing above Roay Gorge at Parkdale (102 miles)

Blue River - From Dillon Reservoir Dam downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River (15 miles)

Colorado River - From Fraser River downstream to the confluence with Troublesome Creek and from Canyon Creek (accessible via the BLM Pumphouse Recreation Area and Campground just below Gore Canyon) and extending to Rock Creek (near McCoy)  (40 miles)

Fryingpan River -From Ruedi Reservoir Dam downstream to the confluence with Roaring Fork River (14 miles)

Roaring Fork River
From the confluence with Fryingpan River downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River (22 miles). Four of the 22 miles flow through the community of Aspen Glen. Aspen Glen residents may wade-fish while the public may only float through Aspen Glen.

Gore Creek
From Red Sandstone Creek downstream to Eagle River (4 miles)

Gunnison River
From the upper boundary of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument downstream to the confluence with the North Fork of the Gunnison (27 miles)

North Platte River
From the Routt National Forest boundary to the Wyoming border (5 miles)

Rio Grande River
From the CO 149 bridge at South Fork downstream to the canal diversion structure West of Del Norte (17 miles)

South Platte River
The Middle Fork from CO Hwu 9 bridge to the South Fork confluence and extending about 20 miles to Spinney Mountain Reservoir. The sections below Cheesman Reservoir Dam to the south boundary of the Wigwam Club property and from the north boundary of the Wigwam Club to Scraggy View Picnic Ground (37 miles, 3 sections)

Spinney Mountain Reservoir
Formed by the South Platte River in Park County. The reservoir separates two gold medal sections of the South Platte River

Steamboat Lake in Routt County

The lake is also a state park with fantastic views with Hahn’s Peak (1,053 surface acres)

North Delaney Butte Lake in Jackson County

This reservoir holds brood stock for brown trout for the state’s hatchery system. (160 surface acres)