Colorado River
RECEIVE FISHING REPORT UPDATES!
Rating - Good
Wednesday, Aug 19 2026
Fishing on the Colorado River varies considerably by section, with good to excellent fishing in the mornings before afternoon water temperatures rise. Upper river flows are generally around 600700 CFS, with some areas near Pumphouse approaching 1,000 CFS due to reservoir releases. Caddis, Tricos, Yellow Sallies, and PMDs are active, while grasshoppers, small Zebra Midges, and Slim Shady BWOs are also producing fish. Anglers should focus on cooler, oxygenated water, riffles, and shaded banks, especially as temperatures climb later in the day.Anglers should be aware of heat-related fishing restrictions on portions of the river. A full-day emergency voluntary closure is currently in effect from Red Dirt Creek downstream to the Highway 13 Bridge in Rifle due to dangerously warm water temperatures. Other lower stretches may also have voluntary afternoon closures, so anglers should pay close attention to the specific section they plan to fish. The Glenwood Canyon area is currently fishing especially well, with flows around 613 CFS and cooler water providing better conditions for trout.
Wednesday, Aug 19 2026
Weather Report
Colorado River WeatherAccess Info
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes North of Montrose, between Palisade and De Beque Colorado.Click here to unsubcribe from your fishing reports.
Colorado River
RECEIVE FISHING REPORT UPDATES!
Rating - Good
Fishing on the Colorado River varies considerably by section, with good to excellent fishing in the mornings before afternoon water temperatures rise. Upper river flows are generally around 600700 CFS, with some areas near Pumphouse approaching 1,000 CFS due to reservoir releases. Caddis, Tricos, Yellow Sallies, and PMDs are active, while grasshoppers, small Zebra Midges, and Slim Shady BWOs are also producing fish. Anglers should focus on cooler, oxygenated water, riffles, and shaded banks, especially as temperatures climb later in the day.Anglers should be aware of heat-related fishing restrictions on portions of the river. A full-day emergency voluntary closure is currently in effect from Red Dirt Creek downstream to the Highway 13 Bridge in Rifle due to dangerously warm water temperatures. Other lower stretches may also have voluntary afternoon closures, so anglers should pay close attention to the specific section they plan to fish. The Glenwood Canyon area is currently fishing especially well, with flows around 613 CFS and cooler water providing better conditions for trout.
Other Fishing Reports for Montrose
Grand Mesa Lakes
Good
08/19/2026
Fishing across the Grand Mesa Lakes is currently good to excellent, with cooler high-elevation water keeping trout active despit
...
Learn More
Crawford State Park
Fair
08/19/2026
Fishing at Crawford State Park is currently fair to moderate, with warm surface temperatures around 69F and the reservoir sittin
...
Learn More
Ridgway Reservoir
Very_Good
08/19/2026
Fishing at Ridgway Reservoir is currently very good for summer angling, with surface water temperatures around 69F. Trout are mo
...
Learn More
Uncompahgre below ridgeway
Good
08/19/2026
Fishing on the Uncompahgre River below Ridgway Reservoir is currently fair to good, with stable flows around 110150 CFS, providi
...
Learn More
Blue Mesa
Fair
08/19/2026
Fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir is currently slow to moderate, with surface water temperatures running approximately 6668F. The b
...
Learn More
Gunnison River
Good
08/19/2026
Fishing on the Gunnison River is currently solid during the early morning hours, with low, clear late-summer flows running appro
...
Learn More