Fishing Season: April 1-November 30

North Platte River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

69

North Park Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Platte in the canyon is running around 135 cfs and fishing ok. Fishing has been best from first light until around 12-1pm. Take a thermometer and check water temps in the early afternoon. The water has been hovering around 70 degrees by mid day. FYI: Wyoming Game and Fish has a voluntary closure on the North Platte from the state line to Dugway Boat Ramp North of Saratoga.

Directions open in app

Map of North Platte River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

North Park Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 7/29/26

We are foretasted to have temps in the upper 80's for a few days followed by a few days of rain, which should keep the river at a decent level. For the next couple weeks we are fishing early in the day and letting the fish rest in the afternoons when water temps rise.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/29/26

Running dry/dropper rigs with smaller Chubby terrestrials trailing a variety of smaller trico nymph, pmd nymph, and attractors in the fastest water, has been best. The trico hatch is also getting good so keep an eye out for rising fish in the slow tailouts and runs.

Local Species Available April 1-November 30

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    Trout

North Park Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Tunghead Hare's Ear Grub Balck 18-22
Higa's S.O.S. Trico 18-22
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig PH Tail 12-14
Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph Hares Ear 16
TH Thin Mint Black 8-10
Parachute Adams Purple 18-20
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer Black 18
Hot Cone Woolly Bugger PMD 16
Elk Hair Caddis Tan 14-18
Trico Dry Black 18-22

Tunghead Hare's Ear Grub

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Item #154J

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North Park Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About North Platte River

North Platte River North Park is home to the true headwaters of the North Platte River. Draining more than a half of a dozen rivers from the surrounding mountain ranges, the North Platte is a tremendous trout fishery with several distinct sections along its length. Through North Park and Walden, the North Platte is a meandering meadow river with wide riffles, slow deep pools, and steep undercut banks. On the rivers northward course it enters the rugged Northgate Canyon near the Colorado/Wyoming state line. This section is designated as Gold Medal Wild Trout water. Pugnacious rainbows and secretive brown trout inhabit these waters. Numerous caddis, stonefly, and mayfly hatches can provide fast-paced fishing action. In summer, thick grasshopper populations inhabit the meadows, and a good hopper pattern cast against a deep bank can result in heart-stopping strikes.

Nearest Airport:

Jackson County in Walden... Hayden near Steamboat Springs, CO.

Hatches:

Trico, Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

early morning

Best Stretch:

North Gate Canyon

Best Access:

Routt, Six Mile Gap, Prospect Creek, Douglas Creek