Fishing Season: April 1-November 30

North Platte River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

36

North Park Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Canyon is opening up for the season. Currently the river is big and muddy, but we expect to see the water clear up in the next few weeks when the last of the valley snow melts off.

Directions open in app

Map of North Platte River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

North Park Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 4/17/24

We expect to see the water clear up in the next few weeks when the last of the valley snow melts off.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/17/24

Nymphing with stoneflys and worms is the go to this time of year, and pulling a big streamer is worth a shot as well

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):
Tunghead Pheasant Tail PH Tail 18-22
Bead Head Barr Emerger BWO 16-20
Bead Head Caddis Pupa Natural 12-16
Indicator Spinner - Trico Balck 18-22
TH Thin Mint Black 8-10
Jigged Hare's Ear Hare's Ear 10-12
RS2 Black 18-22
Hot Cone Woolly Bugger Black 4-6
Soft Hackle PT Pheasant Tail 14-18
Gold Ribbed Bead Head Hares Ear Hares Ear 14-20

Tunghead Pheasant Tail

Adding tungsten beads to mayfly patterns is relatively new.

2.99

Item #144J

Buy Now

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:

BWO's, Tricos, 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