Fishing Season: Year-round

Lower Gunnison River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

47

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

Lower Gunnison River has not been affected by the fires and remains open and fishing great. The flows on the main stem of the Lower Gunnison have stabilized, and the fishing is heating up! Despite the Salmonfly hatch wrapping up, Golden Stones and Yellow Sallies are also emerging—and the trout are eager to take them on the surface. As July winds down, we're excited to report that water levels and temperatures remain fantastic! Hopper season is in full swing, and anglers are enjoying the thrill of watching fish rise to small to medium-sized hoppers (size 14-12) along the banks. Midday has turned into a delightful spectacle with PMD hatches, making a double dry rig particularly rewarding.While fish are currently focused on the river's edges, nymphing still has its moments of success. By using PMD emergers and general searching flies on a double nymph setup in the riffles and off the shelves, you’re bound to land some exciting catches. Happy fishing!

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 7/22/25

Flows are back to normal, and fish are feeding heavily above the confluence of the North Fork. Weather is looking great so head this way.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/22/25

Nymphing near the edges and banks has been very effective. Some fish are rising, but with more water each da,y they have been looking down more and capitalizing on the stonefly nymphs as they move to the bank

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):
Hopper N/A
Hog Caller Hopper N/A
Tunghead Hot Spot Pheasant Tail Jig N/A
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail N/A
Pale Morning Dun Thorax N/A
Sparkle Dun N/A

Hopper

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Item #0414

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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