Fishing Season: April 1-November 30

North Platte River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

34

North Park Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Canyon is pretty much done at this point in the season. With the cold temps forecasted for the next week, we expect the fish to hunker down into their winter holes and get ready for the winter to come.

Directions open in app

Map of North Platte River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

North Park Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 11/5/24

We’ve had very cold nights and daytime temps recently, with the forecast calling for colder weather and snow for the next week.

Techniques & Tips as of 11/5/24

We would suggest fishing the stillwaters that the park has to offer

Local Species Available April 1-November 30

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

North Park Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Elk Wing Caddis Black 16-20
Indicator Parachute - Trico Trico 18-22
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig PH Tail 18-20
Bead Head Caddis Pupa Tan 16
TH Thin Mint Black 8-10
Jigged Hare's Ear Hare's Ear 10-12
Elk Wing Caddis Tan 14-16
T.H. Soft Hackle Caddis Pupa Green 16
Soft Hackle PT Pheasant Tail 14-18
Black RS2 Black 18-22

Elk Wing Caddis

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Item #0378

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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:

Tricos, BWO's, Rusty Spinners, Golden Stoneflies, Caddis, Dragonflies

Best Time to Fish:

late afternoon

Best Stretch:

North Gate Canyon

Best Access:

Routt, Six Mile Gap, Prospect Creek, Douglas Creek