Fishing Season: Year-round

Lower Gunnison River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

47

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

Winter angling on the Gunnison River is still offering abundant chances to reel in some great catches. We have been seeing some color coming from the North Fork, but with the cold weather, it should be clearing up until the warmer weather returns. From 11 am to 3 pm, you can expect midge hatches, making it a prime time for fishing with small midge and BWO emergers. Using an egg pattern has also been proving quite effective. With the weather starting to get better, fish activity is on the rise, giving you more opportunities to spot rising fish throughout the day.

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 3/25/24

Colorado spring weather patterns have been coming, though, so be prepared for sun, snow, or rain. With this weather, the dirt roads are more dangerous until the mud dries up.

Techniques & Tips as of 3/25/24

Nymphing small midges and BWO emergers behind and egg or other medium sized nymph.

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 Brassie™ N/A
Rojo Midge N/A
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail N/A
Phlamin Pheasant Tail N/A
Yum Yum Emerger N/A
Micro Egg N/A

Bead Head Brassie™

Image Not Found

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:

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