What the Colorado River offers anglers
The Colorado River runs 1,450 miles from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the Gulf of California, and the fishing changes completely depending where you are on it. In the high country, you chase cutthroat and brook trout in cold, fast water. By the time it reaches Arizona and California, the river has slowed into a series of massive reservoirs—Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Havasu—where striped bass, largemouth bass, and catfish dominate. Below the dams, in the tailwaters where cold water releases from the bottom of reservoirs, you find some of the best trout fishing in the Southwest. The Yuma area sits at the southern end of this system, where the river is warm, wide, and slower, holding different species and requiring different tactics than the upper reaches.
Most anglers focus on one section at a time because the river's character shifts so dramatically. A trip to fish stripers at Lake Havasu looks nothing like a day on the San Juan River tailwater in New Mexico, even though both are part of the same river system. Understanding which section you're heading to matters more than understanding "the Colorado River" as one thing.
Key Takeaways
- The Colorado River holds different fish species depending on elevation and dam location: cold-water trout in the mountains and tailwaters, warm-water bass and catfish in the reservoirs and lower river.
- Lake Powell, Lake Mead, and Lake Havasu are the major reservoirs where most recreational fishing happens, each with its own access points and seasonal patterns.
- Tailwater sections below dams—particularly the San Juan River in New Mexico and the Colorado below Glen Canyon Dam—produce trophy trout but require specific techniques and often have special regulations.
- The lower Colorado near Yuma is warm and slow, better suited for catfish and striped bass than for trout, and access is often through public boat launches or private property agreements.
- Water releases from dams follow irrigation schedules, not fishing schedules, so flows can change dramatically and affect where fish hold and how you can wade or float.
The three main sections and what lives in each
The upper Colorado, from its source in the San Juan Mountains down to Lake Powell, is cold-water country. You find native cutthroat trout, brook trout, and brown trout in the main stem and tributaries. This section is mostly in Colorado and Utah, and access is scattered—some stretches run through national forest where you can wade or float, others are private. The San Juan River, a major tributary in New Mexico, has become famous for its tailwater trout fishing below Navajo Dam, where the water stays cold year-round and fish grow large.
The middle Colorado is the reservoir section. Lake Powell (Utah and Arizona) and Lake Mead (Nevada and Arizona) are enormous impoundments that hold striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish. These lakes are deep, cold at depth, and warm at the surface. Stripers hunt in open water and near structure; largemouths stay shallow around rocks and vegetation. Lake Havasu, further downstream on the Arizona-California border, is smaller and shallower, with similar species but warmer water and different seasonal patterns.
The lower Colorado, from below Lake Havasu to the Mexican border, is warm and slow. Striped bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish live here. The water is murky, the current is minimal, and fishing often means drifting or anchoring rather than wading. This is where the Yuma area sits—the tail end of the system where the river has lost most of its gradient and the fish have adapted to warm, sluggish water.
Tailwater trout fishing below the dams
The water released from the bottom of deep reservoirs is cold, oxygen-rich, and full of food. This creates some of the best trout habitat in the Southwest, even in places where the surrounding desert is hot and dry. The San Juan River below Navajo Dam in New Mexico is the most famous example—a world-class trout fishery that draws anglers from across the country. The Colorado below Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona is another, though it's more remote and requires more planning to reach.
Tailwater trout fishing requires different gear and tactics than reservoir or mountain-stream fishing. The water is cold but often clear, so you need light tippet and small flies. The fish are fed constantly by the dam's releases, so they're selective about what they eat. Flows change on a schedule set by the dam operators, not by weather, so the river can go from wadeable to dangerous in an hour. Before you fish any tailwater, check the current flow rates and release schedule with the dam operator or the local ranger district.
Access to tailwater sections varies. Some have public boat launches and parking; others require a short hike or a shuttle service. A few sections have special regulations—catch-and-release only, fly fishing only, or restrictions on the number of fish you can keep. Check the state fishing regulations for the specific section you plan to fish.
Reservoir fishing: stripers, bass, and catfish
Lake Powell, Lake Mead, and Lake Havasu are managed by the Bureau of Reclamation and the National Park Service. All three allow recreational fishing, but access, boat launch fees, and regulations differ. Lake Powell has the most developed infrastructure for anglers—multiple marinas, boat rentals, and guide services. Lake Mead is close to Las Vegas and has several launch points on both the Nevada and Arizona sides. Lake Havasu is smaller and more intimate, with a town (Lake Havasu City, Arizona) built specifically around the lake.
Striped bass are the trophy fish in all three reservoirs. They're aggressive, they grow large, and they're fun to catch on topwater lures and live bait. Stripers school in open water, especially in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate. In summer, they move deep to find cool water. Largemouth bass stay shallow year-round, hunting around rocks, submerged trees, and the rocky shorelines that define these desert reservoirs. Catfish are abundant and underrated—they're easy to catch, they fight hard, and they're good to eat.
Boat access is essential on these reservoirs. If you don't have your own boat, you can rent one at any of the marinas or hire a guide. Day-use fees and boat launch fees vary by location and season. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat—the desert sun reflects off the water and the heat is intense, even in spring and fall.
The lower Colorado near Yuma: warm-water fishing
The Colorado River below Lake Havasu is a different animal. The water is warm, the current is slow, and the fish are adapted to conditions that would stress trout. Striped bass and largemouth bass are the main targets, along with channel catfish and flathead catfish. The river here is wide and often murky, so sight-fishing is rare. Instead, you work structure—fallen trees, rock piles, channel bends—and fish by feel and sound.
Access to the lower Colorado near Yuma is limited compared to the reservoirs. The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge protects much of the river in this section, and fishing is allowed but access points are specific. The Mittry Lake Wildlife Area, just north of Yuma, offers public boat launches and fishing access. Private property lines the river in many places, so always confirm you have permission before launching or wading.
Catfish fishing is especially good in this section. Channel catfish and flatheads are abundant, they're active year-round, and they don't require fancy tackle or technique. Cut bait, chicken liver, or live bluegill work well. Fish at dawn, dusk, or night when catfish are most active. Stripers and largemouths are more active in cooler months—October through April—when water temperatures drop below 75 degrees.
Seasonal patterns and water flow
The Colorado River's flow is controlled by dam releases, not by snowmelt or rainfall. This means the river can be high and cold in summer (when irrigation demand is high and water is released from deep in the reservoirs) and low and warm in winter (when irrigation demand drops). This is the opposite of most Western rivers, and it affects where fish hold and when they feed.
In the tailwater sections, high flows mean cold water and good oxygen levels, which keeps trout active and feeding. In the reservoirs, summer heat pushes stripers deep, so you have to fish deeper structure or open water. In the lower Colorado, winter is prime time because water temperatures drop and fish become more active.
Before any trip, check the current flow rates at the dam you're fishing below. The U.S. Geological Survey publishes real-time flow data for the Colorado River at multiple points. The Bureau of Reclamation publishes dam release schedules. Knowing whether flows are increasing or decreasing helps you predict where fish will be and whether wading is safe.
Regulations and special rules
Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California all have different fishing regulations for their sections of the Colorado River. License requirements, season dates, bag limits, and size restrictions vary by state and by specific section. Some tailwater sections have special regulations—fly fishing only, catch-and-release only, or daily bag limits of one or two fish instead of the standard five or ten.
Before you fish, buy the appropriate state license and check the current regulations for the specific section you plan to fish. Regulations change annually, and some sections have special closures or restrictions that aren't obvious. The easiest way to stay current is to download the state fishing guide from the wildlife agency website or call the local ranger district or wildlife office.
If you hire a guide, they'll know the current regulations and will make sure you're fishing legally. If you fish on your own, it's your responsibility to know the rules.
Getting there and what to bring
The Colorado River system is spread across five states, so "getting there" depends on which section you're fishing. Lake Powell is a long drive from most population centers—closest to Salt Lake City and Phoenix. Lake Mead is close to Las Vegas. Lake Havasu is on the Arizona-California border, accessible from Phoenix or Southern California. The San Juan River tailwater is in northwestern New Mexico, a few hours from Durango, Colorado. The lower Colorado near Yuma is accessible from Yuma itself or from San Diego.
For reservoir fishing, bring a boat or plan to rent one. For tailwater fishing, bring wading gear, a fly rod or spinning rod depending on the section, and a headlamp if you plan to fish early or late. For the lower Colorado, bring a boat or plan to launch from a public access point. Bring more water than you think you'll need—the desert is hot and dry, and dehydration happens fast.
Cell service is spotty in many areas, especially near Lake Powell and the remote tailwater sections. Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back. Bring a map, a GPS unit, or download offline maps to your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a guide to fish the Colorado River?
No, but a guide is helpful if you're unfamiliar with the section you're fishing. Guides know the current conditions, the best access points, and the fish behavior for the season. They also handle the boat and navigation, which is valuable on large reservoirs. For tailwater sections, a guide can teach you the specific techniques that work. For the lower Colorado, a guide can navigate the murky water and find structure you'd miss on your own.
What's the best time of year to fish the Colorado?
It depends on the section and the species. Tailwater trout fishing is good year-round because the water temperature is stable. Reservoir stripers are most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate. Largemouths are active spring through fall. The lower Colorado is best in fall and winter when water temperatures drop. Summer is hot and fishing is slow in most sections.
Can I wade the Colorado River?
Yes, but only in specific sections. Tailwater sections below dams are wadeable, though flows change on a schedule and wading can become dangerous quickly. The reservoirs are too deep to wade except at the shoreline. The lower Colorado is wadeable in some places, but access is limited and you need permission on private property. Always check current flow rates before wading any section of the main stem.
What licenses do I need?
You need a fishing license from the state where you're fishing. If you're fishing the Colorado River between Arizona and California, you need an Arizona license. If you're fishing the San Juan River in New Mexico, you need a New Mexico license. Licenses are available online from each state's wildlife agency website or at sporting goods stores near the river.
Is the Colorado River safe to drink from?
No. The river is used for irrigation, municipal water supply, and industrial purposes. It carries agricultural runoff, sediment, and other contaminants. Bring your own drinking water and don't rely on the river.