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 Fishing Report – Colorado With warmer temperatures settling in, activity on the river is picking up. Anglers are finding success both above and below the confluence at Pleasure Park, though the approach changes depending on the direction you go. Upstream: The flow bump has started out of the Crystal dam. They plan to increase the flow to 3700 cfs and hold that peak for one day, then reduce it back down. They have been increasing flow about 500cfs each day, so keep an eye on flows if you are headed to this section. Fishing is still good during higher flow, just focus your efforts on the banks. The large Stoneflies have not started to hatch yet, but the nymphs are moving to the edges, and the fish are there waiting. Downstream: The water has a bit more color, but visibility remains good. With clearer water from the main stem coming in, fish are feeling more comfortable and have been willing to rise. We have been much more successful nymphing large stone fly nymphs near the edges and eddies where the fish are holding. There have been some sightings of the Salmon fly in this lower section, but the bulk of the bugs should start to hatch as the flow bump starts to descend.

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 5/27/25

We are almost halfway through the flow bump, and the river levels are still fishable. I would try to avoid the peak flow as the river will be high and fast, but they will only hold that for a day and then start to decrease flow for the next 5 days, putting flows back at a great level in time for the salmon flies to emerge.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/27/25

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

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbow Trout

  • Fish Icon

    Brown Trout

  • Fish Icon

    Roundtail Chub

  • Fish Icon

    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 Giant Stone N/A
Bead Head Rubber-Legged Orvis CJ N/A
Tunghead Stonefly N/A
Bead Head Stonefly N/A
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A
Shaky Worm N/A

Bead Head Giant Stone

Fish this Stonefly fly pattern as if it's crawling or has become dislodged.

2.99

Item #713F

Buy Now

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