Fishing Season: Year Round (Prime March 1 - October 31)

Arkansas River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

42

ArkAnglers's Tip of the Week

Bighorn Sheep Canyon is in great shape and is fishing very well, offering a wider productive window on the water than the river further north. The middle and upper basins are very fishable but may not offer as many hours of productive fishing time. Nighttime temperatures are cold so plan to start your day after 10AM at the earliest. At lower flows, fish will hold along midstream structure and in deeper troughs where a nymph rig can be highly effective. Slower, deeper runs and pools are becoming increasingly productive as the spawn wraps up and fish move to their winter water for the colder months. Midges (#18-22) are the primary forage with sporadic hatches prompting localized surface feeding from trout. We're also seeing fish feed opportunistically on golden stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae. Expect takes to be more subtle as water temperatures cool down, so pay attention to the minute movements of your indicator/sighter. Lots of water will be devoid of fish through the winter, so when you find a fish take note of the water type, depth, and speed to help locate other likely holding areas. Trout tend to congregate during the winter so where you find one you'll likely find several. Streamers have been effective in triggering aggressive, territorial reactions from resident browns but expect less and less aggression as temperatures drop and we move away from the spawn. 4x-5x tippet is appropriate for nymphing but you might go heavier to streamers.

Directions open in app

Map of Arkansas River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Royal Gorge Anglers
Breckenridge outfitters

5-Day Outlook as of 11/28/25

Temperatures are dropping and fish are moving into winter water.

Techniques & Tips as of 11/28/25

Nymphing in midstream troughs and deeper structure.

Local Species Available Year Round (Prime March 1 - October 31)

  • Fish Icon

    Brown and Rainbow Trout

ArkAnglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Zebra Midge Black, Red, Olive 18-22
Pheasant Tail Natural 14-20
Perdigon/Bullet Brown, Yellow, Olive, Pearl 14-18
Two Bit Stonefly Golden, Brown 8-14

Zebra Midge

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ArkAnglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Arkansas River

The Arkansas River traverses about ninety miles between its headwaters above Leadville to the point where it rolls onto the prairie near Canon City. Over that distance, it flows through a high alpine meadow, drops through steep canyons of granite boulders and Ponderosa Pine, and courses through a high desert canyon. In each environment, populations of wild brown trout inhabit a river environment that teems with mayflies, stoneflies, caddis…small wonder that the Arkansas River was named Colorado’s most popular fishery in a recent Division of Wildlife survey. Along the banks of this river sit two remarkable mountain communities – Salida and Buena Vista. ArkAnglers has fly shops in both towns and our guide service spans the entire ninety miles of river, as well high mountain lakes on the Continental Divide, tributary streams, segments of the upper South Platte River, and some mid-elevation lakes known for their burgeoning trout populations. The range of altitude and climate in the upper Arkansas River valley allows us to guide year-round, the river providing a continuous supply of aquatic foodstuffs that keep fish active even in the winter. Contact us for a complete menu of trip options or for help in planning your visit!

Nearest Airport:

Colorado Springs Airport

Hatches:

Midges. Opportunistic feeding on stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae.

Best Time to Fish:

10AM - 3PM

Best Stretch:

Middle and lower basins

Best Access:

Big Bend, Salida East, Rincon, Cotopaxi.