Artificial Lure here with your October 18, 2025, Colorado River fishing report, coming at you just after sunrise. The sun came up at 7:18 a.m. and it’ll dip below the horizon at 6:25 p.m., giving us a crisp, gold-lit day perfect for fall angling.

This morning, there’s frost on the ground across Western Colorado, with a freeze warning making for a chilly start. According to KOOL107.9, valley temps bottomed out in the upper 20s to low 30s, but expect bluebird skies and cool, comfortable highs through the day—classic fall weather with no storms in sight. Water levels are moderate, with recent river flows holding steady and clarity good for sight fishing.

Tidal influence isn’t a factor up here on our slice of the Colorado, but moon phase is. Today is just a few days after October’s full Hunter’s Moon, making for increased fish activity around dawn and dusk. Early and late bite windows will be strongest—so plan to be casting as the sun rises and just before sunset. Colorado Springs fishing forecasts from FishingReminder show peak bites right out of the gate this morning and ramping up again mid-afternoon.

Up and down the river—especially from Glenwood Springs through Rifle and into the Grand Junction area—fishing pressure is light, fall colors are peaking, and the bite is turning on as water temps drop. As reported by the Fishing with Bernie team and local guides, brown trout are getting aggressive ahead of the spawn, while rainbows are actively foraging near current seams and eddies. Kokanee salmon have been running in a few tributaries and lower stretches, and smallmouth bass and the occasional walleye are still showing up downstream.

Best baits? Trout are tuned in to bright and flashy presentations. Locals are doing well on silver and pink spoons, like the classic Kastmaster or Acme Little Cleo, and blade baits in white or chartreuse. If you’re throwing plastics, stick with two to three-inch tubes or swimbaits in rainbow, shad, or plain white. Streamers—especially olive, black, and yellow—are deadly right now, especially if you swing or strip them deep and slow. Don’t overlook the power of a classic nightcrawler or salmon egg drifted near the bottom if you’re bait fishing.

For fly anglers, it’s all about fall streamers and nymphs. Rise Beyond Fly Fishing just posted that browns are hammering big articulated patterns, and smaller, natural-colored wooly buggers and leeches are sure bets in clear water. A tandem nymph rig with a prince nymph and a smaller midge or baetis imitation will pick up rainbows and the odd whitefish. During midday, keep an eye out for blue-winged olive hatches and have some parachute BWO dries on hand.

Recent catches, according to local shops and social chatter, include browns up to 20 inches from the Parachute area downstream, rainbows up to 18 inches, and plenty of eaters in the 12-16 inch range. Tailwater sections below dams are producing steady numbers. Bass anglers closer to Fruita are finding some late-season action with soft plastics and small jerkbaits.

Hot spots for today:
- South Canyon rapid area just west of Glenwood—broken water, plenty of holding structure, and good shore access.
- The “Horseshoe Bend” near De Beque—a favorite for streamer fishing, especially in the evening.
- For a quieter day, try the Roan Creek confluence—smaller water, but brown trout are piling in to stage before spawning.

Remember, always check current conditions before heading out—Colorado Parks and Wildlife just lifted emergency closures on nearby rivers, but it’s smart to stay updated for the latest info, especially with fire and drought concerns.

That’s your boots-on-the-ground Colorado River fishing report for October 18, 2025. Thanks for tuning in—make sure to subscribe for your daily fix of river wisdom and local scoop. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot...