Artificial Lure checking in from the mighty Colorado River corridor right here in Colorado, bringing you your October 20, 2025, fishing report. We woke up to a textbook autumn morning. Sunrise rolled in at 6:51 AM and sunset will send us home at about 6:04 PM, so anglers have a solid window today for casting lines. Expect classic fall conditions: early chill warming quickly—mid-30s to high 60s by afternoon. Skies stay mostly clear with a light NE breeze. No tidal swings to report on the Colorado, but flows remain steady, water clarity excellent, and that crisp air means trout and bass are on the move.

Fishing activity has been outstanding this week along prime stretches in the upper river and canyon sections, especially near Eleven Mile and down toward the broader runs below. Reports from South Platte Fly Shop note flows near 80–90 cfs; healthy river levels and bug life coming back strong. The dry fly bite has been spectacular, especially in riffles and pockets with just enough slack water—perfect conditions for sight fishing. Watch those sunny banks for risers late morning through mid-afternoon.

Trout, especially rainbows and browns, have been feeding aggressively. Anglers are seeing steady success on midges and BWOs—#20-26 in blacks, olives, creams, and reds. If you’re nymphing, lead with a San Juan Worm or stonefly, then trail a chocolate or purple midge. Hopper-dropper rigs are hitting hard this fall, and, for some bonus strikes, slap a terrestrial pattern along undercut banks. Over at Eleven Mile, some parties have landed upwards of 20 fish in a session, with most trout running a healthy 14 to 18 inches and a few hogs breaking 20. If the crowds are thick up near the dam, slide down to Springer Gulch or any deeper pools in the canyon.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are active further south on the Connected Lakes and lower reaches. In the slack waters and brush piles, anglers are landing 8–12 keeper bass a trip—most on drop shots, Ned rigs, and swim jigs in white or chartreuse. Black crappie, bluegill, and a steady push of channel cats round out the mixed bag, with nightcrawlers or cut bait producing above dusk. Don’t overlook the shallow gravel bars for catfish; evenings have been excellent, especially near Pumphouse and Sunset Point.

Best lures for today are:
- Small BWOs, midges, and baetis (#20–#26) for trout
- Hopper-dropper combos, especially with tan or dun hoppers
- San Juan Worms and scuds for deeper nymphing
- Drop shot plastics, Ned rigs, and shad imitators for bass
- White/chartreuse spinnerbaits and swim jigs—especially effective near submerged brush
- Cut anchovies and threadfin shad chunks for stripping up those river stripers down toward Lake Mead

Recommended hot spots today:
- Eleven Mile Canyon, especially the riffles and deep pools from Springer Gulch up to the dam
- Connected Lakes near Grand Junction—early and late for bass, crappie, and catfish
- Sunset Point and Pumphouse area for evening bites and mixed species action

As for bait, you can’t go wrong with worms or power bait in the lakes for trout, and if flies are your game, mimic local insect life—RS2’s, Emergers, and BWO’s are key. Fly fishing is peaking right now, just dress warm and keep that tippet light. If you’re trolling or casting, those custom Colorado spinner blades from Addicted Fishing are driving strikes on salmon and larger game in moving water.

That wraps our river run for October 20th. Thanks as always for tuning in with Artificial Lure. Be sure to subscribe for more river intel and fishing tips. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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