Gunnison River Fishing Regulations

Located nine miles northeast of Montrose, the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness offers a wild and pristine backcountry experience.  A distinctive double canyon system of black granite and red sandstone layers carved by the Gunnison River, the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness lies inside the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area just downstream from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The Gunnison Gorge is only the second BLM-administered wilderness area in Colorado and is managed to preserve and protect its wilderness, scenic and recreational values. (blm.gov)

Ice Fishing is the name of the game. Higher elevations will see ice as early as the beginning of December while Blue Mesa Reservoir typically won’t have safe Ice on the west end till late December. The ice on the Big Blue will work its way east as the winter gets colder, most years being completely frozen by mid to late January. Overall trout are comfy in cold water allowing them to occupy big portions of the reservoirs throughout Ice Fishing season. Concentrate on structure like rock piles or points in 10 -40 of water for Rainbows and Browns using bait or small jigs like Rapala ice jigs, Dynamic HD ice, or small hair jigs tipped with meal worms. (gunnisoncrestedbutte.com)

Our major April through October, with the peak of the season occurring throughout the summer months – from mid June to mid August. Our kokanee salmon run attracts anglers from mid August through October. The early season can supply some excellent fishing as the rivers warm up and the bugs begin to hatch. Run-off usually kicks in by around May 1 or so, and the big rivers are typically not fishable again till about mid June give or take . Summer dry fly fishing is great, with our Green Drake hatch anglers with 20 to 30 fish days all on big dry flies. Summer mayflies and hoppers give way to fall, and the brown trout and kokanee salmon prepare for spawning. (riffleandrise.com)

Gunnison Gorge river fly fishing is world renowned among fly fishing fans. Gunnison River Expeditions specializes in running wade and float fishing trips in this gold medal trout fishery. Recognized for its big wild rainbows and brown trout, the resource stands above most fisheries in the United States. Our guides are experienced and professional and can offer the best the Gunnison River fly fishing experience available. (gunnisonriverexpeditions.com)

Summer is prime season for the high country streams and lakes bordering Lake City. It s a great time to teach a child to fish in unintimidating waters like Deer Lakes or Big Blue Creek. In both places, brook trout are abundant, however not big. Experienced anglers seeking bigger fish should attempt for the wild browns of Cebolla Creek and Henson Creek or the browns and rainbows of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. Dry fly fishing is superb throughout the stonefly hatch in late June and into early July. Small spinners work well on these streams, too. High country lake fishing at Crystal, Cooper, Cataract and Powderhorn Lakes may be phenomenal at times, however they’re also temperamental. (lakecity.com)

The river is clear. Paco is fishing great, with the lower winter goes down size your tippet and leader to 6X and Fluorocarbon will diffidently make a big difference. Midges and the BWO’s are coming off around one o’clock. A nymphing rig is the way to go for sure. An RS2 or a Killer May is size 20-22 with a bubble Wing RS2 #22-24 or a Flux Midge is a great choice. This isn’t the place or time to get lazy, you may want to constantly be adjusting your display and get your weight good tuned for the exact depth of the water you’re fishing. These fish aren’t going to move more than a couple of inches to eat your fly. (fishrigs.com)

The final fly fishing trip is exclusive for a maximum of 8 anglers per trip. The Gunnison River s malachite green waters have been given Gold Medal position for rainbow, brown, cutthroat and cuttbow trout fishing. The river’s narrow corridor creates thrilling whitewater thrills as the rapids wind into the 2800 foot high walls of Black Canyon and afterward into the Gunnison River Gorge. Trust our experienced Gunnison fly fishing guides for your fishing & rafting experience. (dvorakexpeditions.com)

Welcome to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison! Morrow Point Reservoir is a Hydro-Dam located 11 miles down river from Blue Mesas Dam and is Home to some of the most amazing fishing and scenery in Colorado. I guide fishing on Morrow Point from mid may into september and fish for Kokanee Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbows, Lake Trout, Brookies, and some types of Cut Throat’s. Catch em’ all in the a day and it is ‘MP great slam’. This guided fishing trip can really be a trip of a lifetime and is regarded as by most the ‘Best Fishing Tour’ in Colorado. Contact Ryan VanLanen for information strait from the guide. (fishbluemesa.com)

A free permit is needed for all backcountry and wilderness use both day use and overnight as well as hiking the innercanyon or off established trails, rock climbing and all river use. Permits are available at the South Rim Visitor Center, North Rim Ranger Station and East Portal registration board located west of the campground . Permits are available on a 1st-come, 1st-serve base. If these buildings are closed, there are self registration stations with information at each place. (ohranger.com)

Two sections of the South Plate River make up Gold Medal streams. The 1st is about 20 miles from the Colo 9 bridge downstream to Spinney Mountain Reservoir. The second part is below Spinney Mountain to the inlet of Eleven Miles Reservoir, about 4 miles. This part is usually called the ‘Dream Stream. ‘ The 3rd part is from the lower boundary of the Wigwam Club downstream to Scraggy View Picnic Ground$. (coloradotu.org)