The Colorado River runs through some of the best warm-water and trout fisheries in the West

The Colorado River stretches over 1,400 miles from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the Gulf of California, and the fishing changes dramatically depending where you fish it. In Colorado itself, the upper river near the headwaters holds native cutthroat and brook trout in cold, fast water. As it flows south through Utah and into Arizona, it warms and widens, becoming home to largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, and carp. Below the major dams—Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Havasu—the river becomes a tailwater fishery with trophy trout and stripers. Each section requires different tackle, different seasons, and different permits.

Access varies wildly. Some stretches run through public land where you can wade in for free. Others flow through private property or tribal lands where you need permission or a special permit. The dams create reservoirs that are open to the public but require boat launches and sometimes day-use fees. Understanding which section you're fishing and what access rules apply will save you a wasted trip.

Key Takeaways

  • The upper Colorado (Colorado and Utah) holds trout and requires a state fishing license; the lower Colorado (Arizona and California) holds bass, catfish, and stripers with different license rules for each state.
  • Tailwater sections below dams like Glen Canyon and Hoover hold large trout and stripers but have specific regulations on catch limits and seasonal closures that differ by location.
  • Public access exists on Bureau of Land Management land and some National Forest stretches, but private property and tribal lands require permission or special permits.
  • Seasonal timing matters: spring runoff makes upper sections unfishable; summer heat concentrates fish in deeper pools and tailwaters; fall and winter are prime for trout and stripers.

Upper Colorado: Trout in Cold Mountain Water

The Colorado River above Lake Powell holds native cutthroat and introduced brook and brown trout. This section runs cold and fast, especially during spring runoff when snowmelt turns the water milky and dangerous. The best fishing happens in late summer, fall, and early winter when flows drop and clarity improves.

Access in Colorado is easiest on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Forest Service. The river runs through Grand County and Garfield County, and you can find pull-offs and parking areas along Colorado Highway 139 and Forest Service roads. You'll need a Colorado fishing license. Regulations change by section—some stretches have catch-and-release only, others allow harvest with daily limits. Check the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for the specific section you plan to fish.

Tackle is light: 4- to 6-weight fly rods work well, or spinning rods with 4- to 6-pound test. Small nymphs, dry flies, and spinners all take fish. Wading is the main method; the river is wadeable in most places except during high water. Bring a wading staff and felt-soled boots—the rocks are slick and the current is strong.

Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Tailwater

Lake Powell sits behind Glen Canyon Dam and holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish. The reservoir is massive—over 180 miles long—and access is by boat only. Day-use fees apply at the main launch ramps (Wahweap, Bullfrog, Hall's Crossing), and you can also launch from smaller ramps with less infrastructure.

The tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam is a different fishery entirely. The dam releases cold water year-round, creating a trout stream in the middle of the desert. This section, called the Lees Ferry reach, runs from the dam to the mouth of the Paria River and holds rainbow and brown trout. It's one of the most productive trout streams in the Southwest. You can wade or float the river; a guide is not required but is common because the best access points are not obvious and the float requires knowledge of the current.

You'll need an Arizona fishing license for both the reservoir and the tailwater. The tailwater has special regulations: catch-and-release only for trout above a certain size, and a daily limit on smaller fish. Check Arizona Game and Fish for current rules. Fly fishing is the standard method, but spinning gear works too. Small nymphs and streamers are most effective.

Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam Tailwater

Lake Mead, behind Hoover Dam, is a massive reservoir straddling the Nevada-Arizona border. It holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, stripers, catfish, and crappie. The lake is heavily used for recreation, and day-use fees apply at all launch ramps. The main ramps are at Boulder Beach (Nevada side) and Temple Bar (Arizona side).

The tailwater below Hoover Dam, called the Colorado River below Hoover, runs from the dam to Lake Havasu and is one of the best striper fisheries in the country. Stripers here grow large—fish over 40 pounds are caught regularly—and the season runs year-round, though spring and fall are most productive. The tailwater also holds catfish and some trout. You can fish from the bank in some places, but a boat gives you much more access.

You'll need a Nevada or Arizona license depending on which side of the river you fish. The tailwater has daily bag limits on stripers and catfish; check the current regulations before you go. Stripers respond to large swimbaits, topwater plugs, and live baitfish. Catfish take chicken liver, cut mullet, and prepared stink baits.

Lake Havasu and the Lower Colorado

Lake Havasu, behind Parker Dam, is a popular reservoir on the California-Arizona border. It holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, stripers, catfish, and crappie. The lake is warm and clear, and fishing is good year-round. Day-use fees apply at the main launch ramps.

Below Lake Havasu, the Colorado River continues south through Arizona and California, becoming warmer and slower. This section holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, and carp. The river widens into a series of backwater lakes and sloughs that are excellent for bass. Access is by boat, and you can launch from several ramps along the river.

You'll need an Arizona or California license depending on where you fish. Regulations vary by state and by section of river. Bass fishing is the main draw; use crankbaits, soft plastics, and topwater lures. Catfish and carp are also abundant and provide good sport on heavy tackle.

Seasonal Timing and Water Conditions

Spring runoff (April through June) makes the upper Colorado unfishable—the water is high, cold, and muddy. The tailwaters below the dams are less affected because dam releases are controlled, but flows still increase. Summer heat (July through September) concentrates fish in deeper water and tailwaters. The upper river becomes fishable again in late summer as flows drop.

Fall (September through November) is prime time across the entire river. Water temperatures drop, flows stabilize, and fish feed actively. Winter (December through February) is good for tailwater trout and stripers, but the upper river can be difficult due to cold and occasional ice. Spring (March through April) is transition time—the upper river is still high, but the lower sections warm up and fishing improves.

Permits, Licenses, and Tribal Lands

You need a fishing license from the state where you fish: Colorado, Utah, Arizona, or California. Each state has different license types (resident, non-resident, short-term) and different costs. Buy licenses online through each state's wildlife agency website or at sporting goods stores.

Some sections of the Colorado River run through tribal lands, particularly the Navajo Nation and the Colorado River Indian Tribes reservation. These sections require tribal permits in addition to a state license. The Navajo Nation issues permits through their fish and wildlife office; the Colorado River Indian Tribes issues permits through their natural resources department. Permits are not expensive but are required, and fishing without one can result in fines.

Private property along the river is common, especially in the lower sections. Do not trespass. If you want to fish private land, ask the owner for permission. Some landowners allow fishing for a fee; others do not allow it at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of year to fish the Colorado River?

Fall (September through November) is best across the entire river—water temperatures are moderate, flows are stable, and fish feed actively. Summer is good for tailwater trout and stripers. Spring runoff makes the upper river unfishable, but the lower sections warm up and improve.

Do I need a guide to fish the Colorado River?

No, but a guide is helpful if you're unfamiliar with the water. The upper river and tailwaters are wadeable and accessible without a guide. The reservoirs require a boat, and if you don't have one, you can hire a guide who provides the boat. Bank fishing is possible in some places on the lower river.

What's the difference between the upper and lower Colorado?

The upper Colorado (above Lake Powell) is cold, fast, and holds trout. The lower Colorado (below Lake Powell) is warm, slow, and holds bass, catfish, and stripers. The tailwaters below the dams are cold and hold trout year-round despite the warm climate.

Can I fish the Colorado River without a boat?

Yes, on the upper river and tailwaters you can wade. On the reservoirs and lower river, a boat is necessary for most access, though some bank fishing exists near launch ramps and along highways that parallel the river.

What licenses do I need to fish different sections?

You need a license from the state where you fish: Colorado for the upper river, Utah for some middle sections, Arizona for Lake Powell and the lower river, and California for the lower sections. Some tribal lands require tribal permits in addition to state licenses.