Roaring Fork River fishing conditions · Colorado

Sit it outno rainbow trout window clears the bar in 36 hours

Rainbow trout is the best bet here today.

Right now: 47 for rainbow trout, sit it outTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Rainbow trout, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

472 pm
47
37
375 pm
33
33
338 pm
33
33
3311 pm
33Sun
33
332 am
33
33
335 am
33
33
338 am
33
33
3311 am
33
33
332 pm
33
33
335 pm
33
33
338 pm
33
33
3311 pm
33Mon
33

Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Water: No reading
Wind: 5 mph
Light: Daylight
Sky: Sunny
Air: 54°F
Barometer: Falling
Moon: 5% lit

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Colorado non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

47Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Rainbow trout is here Apr–May, Oct. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

16" minimum · 2 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Artificial flies and lures only; 2 trout a day, 16" minimum.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Roaring Fork River, Woody Creek bridge to the Colorado River (Gold Medal)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–May, Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on rainbow trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

47Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Brown trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Brown trout is here Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

16" minimum · 2 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Artificial flies and lures only; 2 trout a day, 16" minimum.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Roaring Fork River, Woody Creek bridge to the Colorado River (Gold Medal)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on brown trout

The water

Water temperatureNo reading
Barometer30.29 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

Sunset today5:01 pm
Sunrise tomorrow6:44 am
MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
Minor solunarToday 3:30 pm–4:30 pm
Major solunarTonight 10:00 pm–12:00 am
Minor solunarTomorrow 6:00 am–7:00 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Colorado Parks & Wildlife has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: state fishery agencies · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

A free-flowing Gold Medal river dropping from Aspen to Glenwood Springs — wild rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout in fast pocket water and runs, fed by the Fryingpan and Crystal. A premier float and wade fishery in the Colorado high country.

Woody Creek bridge to the Colorado River: artificial flies and lures only, 2 trout a day at 16" minimum. Upstream from McFarlane Creek to Woody Creek is flies-only catch and release. The Fourmile and Threemile creek mouths close Mar 15–May 31 and Oct 1–Nov 30.

WaterRiver
AccessPier, shore and ramp
RulesColorado non-tidal
WhereEagle County · 39.3784, -107.0855

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Fryingpan River14 mi · ColoradoBest now until 4 pm

88Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Roaring Fork River?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Roaring Fork River you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Roaring Fork River?

Roaring Fork River is listed on this site for 2 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Roaring Fork River?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Roaring Fork River against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Roaring Fork River have?

Roaring Fork River has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Woody Creek bridge to the Colorado River: artificial flies and lures only, 2 trout a day at 16" minimum. Upstream from McFarlane Creek to Woody Creek is flies-only catch and release. The Fourmile and Threemile creek mouths close Mar 15–May 31 and Oct 1–Nov 30.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Roaring Fork River?

state agency regulations apply at Roaring Fork River. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Roaring Fork River tidal water?

No. Roaring Fork River is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.