Artificial Lure here, with your Sunday morning fishing report for the Colorado River and its hot spots. It’s October 19, 2025, and anglers across western Colorado woke up to **clear, brisk fall air** and the shimmer of fresh mountain color. Sunrise came at 7:18 AM, with sunset set for 6:23 PM.
**Weather & River Conditions:**
The overnight lows dropped into the low 30s in some canyon sections. Today’s highs on the river stretch from the upper 40s to mid-50s, with the National Weather Service forecasting clear skies and a light breeze, mostly from the southwest at about 10 mph. Flows near Cisco, Utah, just downriver, are steady at 3.06 feet this morning according to USGS. The river’s running clear with moderate volume, great for wading and drifting.
No tides to worry about—just keep an eye on water levels and the odd afternoon breeze. Some clouds may filter in by evening, but precipitation isn’t in the picture until later in the week.
**Fish Activity & Recent Catches:**
October sees trout firing up all along the Colorado. Locals are reporting good action for **brown trout** in their pre-spawn aggression—especially in the Glenwood to Dotsero stretch. Folks fishing near Parachute and New Castle have pulled in healthy browns and a sprinkling of rainbows, most running 12–18 inches with a few thick fish over 20 showing up for those working deeper seams early and late. Bluegill and bass activity has slowed, but a few hearty smallmouth are still getting fooled closer to Lake Granby.
A handful of catfish are being caught in deeper eddies closer to De Beque, especially at dusk on worms or chicken livers. Carp are active in the backwaters and along the vegetated flats—sight-fishing remains possible mid-morning when light is right.
**Best Lures and Baits:**
For trout, the locals are getting it done with smaller **gold and copper spinners, Panther Martins, and Rooster Tails**. The fly crowd is nymphing stoneflies and midges under an indicator, but on the hardware side, a well-swum Rapala Countdown in brown-trout or rainbow pattern has been the ticket for bigger browns. Early risers are seeing some surface pushes—try a small Mepps Aglia or a black Woolly Bugger stripped quickly through riffles.
If you’re fishing the backwaters for panfish or catfish, nothing beats nightcrawlers and cut bait. For smallmouth bass, now’s the time for smoke or green pumpkin curlytail grubs bounced along the rocks—just work ‘em slow, as water temps are falling.
**Hot Spots:**
- *Parachute to Rifle*: Deep bends and slower tailouts are holding trout, and access is decent from public land.
- *Around Corn Lake*: The inlets and points see a last push from bass and crappie, with several nice largemouth reported last week. Spinners and small jigs do the trick, especially just before dusk.
- Glenwood Canyon*: Early morning, focus on the shady banks and deeper holes for your shot at a big brown.
For those willing to hike, the Colorado in **Radium** is seeing almost no pressure and fish are podded up tight. The next stretch downstream toward Rancho Del Rio gives up some feisty fish for those flinging hardware from the banks.
**Bonus Tips:**
Night temps are dipping—layer up, especially if you’re hitting sunrise. Keep those hands warm! Midday brings the most comfortable conditions, but the biggest fish have been hitting during the first and last hour of daylight. Remember, with the trout more active, a stealthy approach and lighter leader can make all the difference.
Thanks for tuning in to your Colorado River fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest updates, tackle tips, and local insight. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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