Fishing Report
May 27th, 2025
Welcome to the North Park Anglers’ fishing report! We are officially open for the season!
Runoff is right around the corner in North Park! The North Platte and Meadow Streams are all fishable, although the conditions are day-to-day and river-to-river with snowmelt and irrigation. With the warm weather the last few days, we’ve seen the rivers slowly rising. The Buttes, Lake John, and all our lakes have all been iced off for a month and are fishing great. The options are endless in North Park. We hope to see you soon!
Please read further for more detailed info on our fisheries.
If you have any questions, please call the shop at 970-723-4215!
Fly Shop Spring Hours: 7 AM- 5 PM Daily
Meadow Streams:
The meadow streams are in a sweet pre-runoff window currently, although they are starting to bump up a bit. Conditions are day to day with weather and irrigation changing the flows and clarity on the streams, but over all we are in a great window on them. Water temps are colder in the mornings, but they’re getting into the low 50’s on warmer days. Fishing has been best from mid-morning through the afternoon. On calm days, we’ve seen fish eating BWO’s and midges on the surface, but the main game is nymphing with stoneflies, worms, caddis nymphs, baetis nymphs, and some egg patterns. Streamer fishing has been good in the afternoon as the water temps come up as well.
Meadow Stream Flows: Michigan and Illinois River flows
North Platte
(Canyon Section)
The canyon is at a great level for this time of year, and fishing is pretty good. The water temps have been colder in the mornings but perfect in the afternoon. Look for little black stoneflies, BWOs, caddis, and Salmon Flies. We haven’t seen any big bugs out flying yet, but they are active, and the fish are eating them. You can drive in and access Routt, Stateline, and at 6-mile gap. We expect the river to stay somewhat low and clear until warmer weather moves in. Nymphing with a stonefly, worm, and various attractor nymphs is the main game this time of year, and slowly bumping a streamer along the bottom can bring out some large fish as well! On calm afternoons, we’ve seen a few fish up top eating BWOs and caddis as well.
North Platte River Flows: North Platte River Flows at North Gate Canyon
The Platte in the valley is at a great level, and fishing is good. Water temps have been cold in the mornings but perfect in the afternoon. The best fishing window will be from noon until dark. Streamer fishing has been best but look for rising fish in the afternoon. There have been lots of BWOs, little black stones, and midges coming off most afternoons when the wind is down.
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 watch at North Gate, where we report flows from, will always be slightly more significant 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
The chironomid hatch is in full swing. We are seeing giant chironomids mixed with smaller ones. Fishing chironomids under an indicator anywhere from 12 to 20 feet has been the ticket. Size 10-12 bombers in olive, brown, and black have worked best. Stripping crayfish, leeches, and baitfish has been good during low-light hours and on cloudy days.
High Country Lakes and Streams
Joe Wright, Chambers, and Big Creek are starting to crack open for the season. The smaller alpine lakes should start opening up later in May or in early June. Access into the high country can be difficult this time of year with snow and mud, so be careful if you venture out.
