Fishing Season: Year Round (Prime Runs: February 15- November 15)

South Platte River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

38

Royal Gorge Anglers's Tip of the Week

Some lake fish in the system so be ready to battle crowds. Plenty of good fishing throughout this section and it will only get better as things warm up.

Directions open in app

Map of South Platte River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Orvis Cherry Creek
Angler's Covey
Sunrise Anglers
Royal Gorge Anglers
Freestone Outfitters
Breckenridge Outfitters

5-Day Outlook as of 3/21/25

Look for strong spring fishing on the Dream Stream, but still a focus on winter bugs (Midges & BWOs)...eggs and leeches.

Techniques & Tips as of 3/21/25

Technical nymphing is certainly your best method to get into numbers of fish. Midges, Tricos and Fall Baetis (BWOs) will be your focal point until next Spring. Keep some small dry flies on hand in the same bug categories as you will certainly see some sporadic hatch activity. We'll mix in some small leeches to our nymph rigs at times and keep a streamer rod handy for the low light time periods. Pretty basic rigging in the winter, but the fishing is quite technical.

Local Species Available Year Round (Prime Runs: February 15- November 15)

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    Brown Trout

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Cutthroat Trout

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    Kokanee Salmon (seasonal)

Royal Gorge Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
RS2 Black 20,22
Bead Head Brassie™ olive 20
Yellow Sally yellow 16
Bead Head Barr Emerger tan 20
Ice Queen Black 20, 22
Juan's Slim Shady BWO 22
Flashback Baetis Nymph Natural 20
Rojo Midge black 22
Blood Midge Red 20
Split Back Shady black 22

RS2

A must have emerger fly pattern for any trout fisherman.

2.49

Item #067T

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Royal Gorge Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About South Platte River

The South Platte River below Spinney Mountain Reservoir in the Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area is one of the most famed tailwater fisheries in the state of Colorado. Located about 2 hours southwest of Denver in the area known as South Park, this relatively short meadow stretch of the Platte is a year-round fishery and produces some of the largest trout in the state during annual spring (Rainbow and Cutthroat trout) and fall (Brown trout and Kokanee Salmon) spawning runs out of Elevenmile Reservoir. The resident fish are no joke either, consistently reaching sizes over 18 inches. This is an amazing stretch to fish when the action is good, but it is also fairly technical water and can be a real challenge at times even for a fairly experienced angler.

Nearest Airport:

Colorado Springs Airport

Hatches:

Tricos, BWOs, Midges

Best Time to Fish:

11 to 3

Best Stretch:

Gauging Station....Upriver

Best Access:

Park at the Park Co Rd. 59 crossing parking lot and work downstream or upstream from there.