Fishing in the Upper Arkansas Valley is a superb blend of river and big country. With 102 miles of Gold Medal water, the longest contiguous stretch in Colorado, the Arkansas flows through a diverse landscape. Mild winter days in the 40s and 50s make angling on the Arkansas River a year-round experience. Whether it’s late fall or mid-winter, anglers head to the Arkansas knowing that the sun will warm the water and trout will actively begin feeding.

In cold months from November to February, early afternoons are the best time to fish with trout often rising to the surface to feed on midges beneath warm cliff faces. In deeper waters, midge larvae or pupae get good results.

Arkansas River

Brown and rainbow trout are the main quarry of anglers on the Arkansas. The river cuts through hay meadows, granite boulder gardens, tilted sedimentary layers and high desert canyons flowing along a diverse, Gold Medal-designated corridor.

Creeks & Streams

The Sawatch, Mosquito and Sang re de Cristo ranges create a vast watershed which drains into area streams and beaver ponds. Cottonwood, Chalk, Browns, Silver and North Fork are among the creeks and streams anglers enjoy fishing.

High Lakes

Hundreds of high lakes are accessible by hike, passenger cars or off-road vehicles. Among the hike-to routes are Grass and Waterdog lakes. Car-accessible destinations include O’Haver and Cottonwood lakes. Off­roaders climb high above St. Elmo to Pomeroy and Upper Pomeroy lakes.