Fishing Report
Noember 5th, 2024
Welcome to the North Park Anglers’ fishing report!
Winter is right around the corner in North Park! The Rivers are pretty much done for the season around the park. With cold water temps and low flows, we would recommend checking out the many stillwaters the park has to offer before they freeze up. We’ve had very cold nights and daytime temps recently, with the forecast calling for colder weather and snow for the next week. All the valley lakes, including the Delaney Buttes and Lake John, are fishing great with the cold weather. The browns are finishing up their spawn on the Buttes, and the fishing should be good until the lakes start to freeze up.
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 Hours :
Monday: Closed
Tuesday -Saturday: 8 am-5 pm
Sunday: 8 am-2 pm
Meadow Streams:
The meadow streams are done at this point in the season. The rivers are super low, and water temps have been in the low to mid 30’s most days. With the cold temps forecasted for the next week, we expect the fish to hunker down into their winter holes and get ready for the winter to come. Be aware that the browns are finishing up their spawning on the tributaries and can be very vulnerable this time of year. Please don’t fish to spawning fish, and avoid walking on their spawning redds (Large clear gravel and rock patches).
Meadow Stream Flows: Michigan and Illinois River flows
North Platte
(Canyon Section)
The Canyon is pretty much done at this point in the season. With the cold temps forecasted for the next week, we expect the fish to hunker down into their winter holes and get ready for the winter to come.
North Platte River Flows: North Platte River Flows at North Gate Canyon
The Platte in the valley is pretty much done at this point in the season. With the cold temps forecasted for the next week, we expect the fish to hunker down into their winter holes and get ready for the winter to come.
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 fish are putting the fall feed bag on at the lakes getting prepared for a long winter. Fishing has been best earlier in the day when the wind is down, but the fish are eating throughout the day. Indicator fishing under in 4-12ft of water has been the main game during the day. Chironomids, Leeches, Eggs, and thin mints have been the go-to on indicator rigs, and stripping a crayfish, boatman, leech, or streamer has also been great! There is still a few crayfish coming up shallow after dark to molt, so stripping a streamer pattern along the bottom has been working well. The browns are still doing their thing on the Buttes, but are wrapping up for the year. CPW finished their netting operation at the start of October at North D, but the dam is still closed to fishing until November 15th.
High Country Lakes and Streams
The window on the high country lakes, such as Big Creek, Chambers, and Joe Wright, is quickly wrapping up for the year. With cold temps and snow, the options are starting to get slim in the high country. Many of the smaller lakes have frozen over already. Be aware that elk hunters are out and about in the high country, so adding some sort of bright orange to your outfit or pack is a good idea. These lakes will be under ice sooner than later, so if you’re looking to get in one last high country trip for the season, now is a good time to head up!
