Fishing Report
May 7, 2026
Welcome to the North Park Anglers’ fishing report! We’ve received some much needed rain and snow in the last few days, and the fish have been loving it! The rivers are still on the low side for this time of year, but all the rivers bumped up slightly with the snow melt, and the fishing has been great! The lakes have been ice free since mid-March, and the fishing has been good on them as well! As water temperatures gradually rise, we anticipate excellent fishing to continue. Although this year has been unusual and summer conditions remain uncertain, the current fishing conditions are fantastic, so take advantage while you can.
For more detailed information about our fisheries, please read further. If you have any questions, feel free to call the shop at 970-723-4215.
Meadow Streams:
The tributaries have bumped up slightly in the last couple days with snow melt, but are still on the low side for this time of year. The ranchers have turned on irrigation in the last few weeks, so river conditions have been day-to-day and river-to-river. Overall, the rivers are low and clear, and fishing is best in the afternoons. Streamer fishing has been best on low-flow streams, but a dry dropper with Leeches, Stoneflies, worms, and caddis nymphs has been productive in deeper water as well. On calm days, we’ve seen fish sporadically eating BWOs and Caddis on the surface, as well as some terrestrials as well.
Meadow Stream Flows: Michigan and Illinois River flows
North Platte
(Canyon Section)
The Platte in the canyon bumped up recently with the moisture we received, and is flowing at around 150 cfs. Fishing is tough in the mornings and better in the afternoon as the water warms up. The fish are still holding in deep, slow holes early in the day and moving into faster water to feed as the temps rise. Nymphing has been the name of the game in the canyon. Stoneflies, baetis, caddis, and worms have been the best. Streamer fishing has also been producing some nice fish, and we’ve seen fish occasionally eating BWOs, midges, and caddis up top as well.
North Platte River Flows: North Platte River Flows at North Gate Canyon
(Valley Section)
The Platte in the valley is lower than the canyon, but still fishing good around Verner SWA. Fishing is best in the afternoons as water temperatures warm. With low flows, streamer fishing is the main game, and running a dry dropper with Leeches, Stoneflies, worms, and caddis has been producing some nice fish in deeper water as well. Fish have also been eating BWOs, Midges, and some Caddis on the surface when the wind isn’t blowing.
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 the reading at the valley section.
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 lakes are all fishing pretty well. Nymphing during the day with leeches, baitfish, and chironomids has been the most productive, and stripping Water Boatmen and Crayfish patterns early and late has been producing some nice fish as well. Fishing in 4-10 feet of water has been best recently, and look for fish cruising tight to the shorelines early and late in the day.
High Country Lakes and Streams
Currently, all the larger high-country lakes, such as Big Creek, Chambers, and Joe Wright, are mostly open. Fishing is generally pretty good at ice-off when you can get to them. This is one of those years when access is not an issue.
NPA Fly Shop Hours 2026
May – September 2026
7 am-5 pm Daily
