Artificial Lure here with your October 24th, 2025, Colorado River fishing report—local knowledge, cold hands, and all.

Looks like we’re sliding into a classic high-country fall pattern along much of the upper Colorado. Temps start chilly, with sunrise around 7:20 AM and sunset just before 6:10 PM—so daylight’s disappearing fast, plan to be on the water at first light for your best shot. The day starts cold, climbing to the low 50s, but keep an eye on passing storms; rain and even flurries can sneak in. Dress in layers, windproof if you can, and mind your footing on those icy morning rocks.

Now, if you’re looking to check tide charts, remember the Colorado's up this high don’t have ocean tides—so forget tides, focus on flow and temperature. Water is running a bit low and clear this week, typical for fall, which means smarter fish and technical presentations will win the day. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, today’s fishing is rated “poor” for the evening, so aim for early morning and late afternoon windows for the most activity.

On the fish front, trout are front and center up here—browns making their spawning runs, with rainbows and cutbows dogging them for dropped eggs. Around Eleven Mile and Spinney Reservoir stretches, action for big trout has picked up from both shore and boat. Anglers are nailing them with nightcrawlers and PowerBait off the bank. If you prefer hardware, Tas Devils, white or green Kastmasters, and small jigging spoons have been doing work. Word from the Eleven Mile Marina experts is tube jigs—especially in pumpkin pepper or “Demented” color—are catching fish when worked slow and low.

Salmon in the river are plentiful but on the smaller side—think 10–14 inches. Egg patterns and San Juan Worms on light tippet are consistent flyers, and a few boaters pulling a Dodger with a Wiggle Hootchie in 60 feet managed limits, so don’t be afraid to mix techniques. Pike are still around, especially in those east coves by Witchers and the Denver Water boat dock area. Try big spinners, stickbaits, and large tube jigs for a chance at something over 35 inches in the slacker water.

If catfish are more your speed, especially in the lower, warmer reaches around Grand Junction, Berkley PowerBait Catfish Chunks—new stronger formula—are pulling in channel and flatheads after dark. As evening comes on, drift or fish deep holes with stink bait or chicken liver.

Hatches: The callibaetis have slowed, but damsels and midges are present. Subsurface nymphing with 10–14 foot indicator rigs is working at Spinney. If you’re a fly angler, running a hopper-dropper with an egg pattern for the browns and Czech nymphs or damsel nymphs for the rainbows is a solid bet.

For hot spots:
- Witchers Cove and the Denver Water dock area at Eleven Mile for pike and trout.
- Tarryall near the Dream Stream for rainbow runs.
- Below Granby and near Hot Sulphur Springs for brown trout in spawning mood—work the tailouts and gravel beds with small spoons or egg imitations.
- For catfish, deep bends below Grand Junction and the Highline Lake confluence have produced well.

Quick local tip: Zebra mussels were recently detected in isolated parts of the Colorado. Make sure to clean, drain, and dry everything—boots, boats, coolers. It helps keep our fishing great and waters clean.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI