Fishing Season: Year-round

Lower Gunnison River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

47

RIGS Fly Shops & Guide Service's Tip of the Week

Flows on the Lower Gunnison are in a favorable range, and with cooler weather in the forecast, the North Fork has remained low enough to stay crossable. Some color is still coming in from the North Fork, leaving the section below the confluence a bit off-color with roughly 18 inches of visibility. Even with the reduced clarity, fish have remained active and are beginning to shift toward softer edges and inside holding water in anticipation of rising flows. That setup should only improve as conditions continue to develop. Fishing has been productive, with trout keying in on larger food sources such as stonefly nymphs and worm patterns. These bigger profiles should be a primary part of your rig right now, especially when targeting fish holding along the banks and softer seams. To increase overall effectiveness, trail a smaller but brighter nymph behind your lead fly to pick up extra eats from fish that are tracking the larger offering but committing to the secondary bug.

Directions open in app

Map of Lower Gunnison River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service

5-Day Outlook as of 5/5/26

Looks like some weather is coming in this weekend, so be careful on the roads as you make your way. This won't affect fishing and may even improve it.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/5/26

Nymphing the deeper, slow pools. Use split shot to ensure your flies are getting down to the fish, as they are sitting on the riverbed this time of year.

Local Species Available Year-round

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Roundtail Chub

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    and Flannelmouth Sucker

RIGS Fly Shops & Guide Service's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Stonefly N/A
Bead Head Giant Stone N/A
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A
TH Rubber-Legged Bugger N/A
Tactical TH Hot Spot Nymph N/A
Witch Doctor N/A

Bead Head Stonefly

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Item #0027

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RIGS Fly Shops & Guide Service's Recommended Gear

Description: About Lower Gunnison River

Pleasure Park: This stretch of the Gunnison starts at the confluence of the Smith Fork, four miles above Pleasure Park, and ends at the Highway 65 bridge about 12 miles below Pleasure Park. Not as dramatic as the East Portal or Gunnison Gorge, this section of the river twists its way through sandstone cliffs and a beautiful desert landscape.

Nearest Airport:

Montrose and Grand Junction

Best Time to Fish:

Late morning to mid afternoon ( Warmest part of the day)

Best Stretch:

Both up and Down stream of pleasure park fish very well but in the spring or after a big storm the North Fork of the Gunnison causes the down stream section to blow out.

Best Access:

Pleasure park or South River Road