Fishing Report
February 2nd, 2026
Welcome to the North Park Anglers’ fishing report!
The shop is closed for the winter.
All the lakes and rivers are frozen around the valley, and ice conditions are starting to get more consistent on the lakes We had a very weird freeze up this year, with the lakes opening up almost fully several times through December. The smaller lakes like Cowdrey and Seymour are thicker, with anywhere from 10-18” of ice on them. The bigger lakes like The Buttes and Lake John have ice from 8”-15″. There are still open-water pockets along the banks of Lake John. We don’t recommend bringing any trucks onto the ice yet. There is very little snow on the ice, so if you bring out a machine, we recommend an ATV over a snowmobile currently. Fishing has been good across the lakes, with both decent numbers and some large fish as well. Leeches, Thin Mints, and small plastics in 3-14ft have been the go-to recently. Temps are forecast to be in the mid- to upper 40s, with lows in the teens to single digits. If you do venture out onto the ice, please use extreme caution. Ice conditions can change quickly, so make sure to check as you go. Bring the proper safety equipment like a spud bar, ice picks, a float suit, a long rope, and a buddy as well!
Please read further for more detailed info on our fisheries.
If you have any questions, please call the shop at 970-723-4215!
NPA Fly Shop Winter Hours 2025
Closed until April 2026. See you next spring!
Meadow Streams:
The meadow streams are frozen for the winter. See you Next Season!
Meadow Stream Flows: Michigan and Illinois River flows
North Platte
(Canyon Section)
The Platte in the canyon is frozen for the winter. See you Next Season!
North Platte River Flows: North Platte River Flows at North Gate Canyon
The Platte in the valley is frozen for the winter. See you Next Season!
Note* The valley section is upstream of where the North Fork of the North Platte, Michigan, and Illinois Rivers dump into the Platte. The gauge we monitor at North Gate, from which we report flows, will always be slightly higher than what the valley section reads.
FYI: North Platte Flows in North Gate Canyon (Routt Access to Pickeroon)
0-750 CFS Good Wade fishing level
500-4000 Good Float/ Fishing Level
4000 and above is best for Whitewater
North Platte River Flows: North Platte River Flows at North Gate Canyon
Delaney Buttes, Lake John, and Cowdrey Lake
Ice Conditions
North Delaney:8-12″ average of around 10″
South Delaney: 8-12″ average of around 10″
East Delaney: 8-14″ average of around 12″
Lake John: 8-15″ average of around 10″
Cowdrey: 8-15″ average of around 10″
Seymour: 8-15″ average of around 10″
High Country Lakes and Streams
Currently, Big Creek, Chambers, and Joe Wright are capped with 10-20″. The Smaller alpine lakes are frozen and safe, but with recent snow, access will be difficult. Snowmobiles will be the main option to access the high country from here on out.
