South Platte Fly Fishing Report
Includes Gold Medal stretchesThree separately-gauged stretches: Cheesman Canyon / Deckers below Cheesman Reservoir, the Dream Stream between Spinney Mountain and Elevenmile reservoirs, and Eleven Mile Canyon below Elevenmile Reservoir. Each reach has its own flow reading and rig guidance. Guides and local shops report preferred fishing-flow windows of roughly 150–400 cfs on the Cheesman Canyon / Deckers reach and 100–250 cfs on the Dream Stream (Spinney to Elevenmile) reach and 150–250 cfs on the Eleven Mile Canyon (below Elevenmile Reservoir) reach (Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing; RiverReports; Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing). Live gauge data below updates automatically.
Cheesman Canyon / Deckers
Dream Stream (Spinney to Elevenmile)
Eleven Mile Canyon (below Elevenmile Reservoir)
What's swimming in the South Platte
- Eleven Mile Canyon: Rainbow Trout, cutbows and Brown Trout occur below Elevenmile Reservoir, including a naturally reproducing Rainbow Trout population. This is a Colorado Quality Waters designation, not a Gold Medal designation (CPW Eleven Mile Canyon fishery).
- The roughly 8-mile Deckers reach supports Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat x Rainbow "cutbow," and Brown Trout (CPW fishery survey, April 2025).
- In Deckers, not Eleven Mile Canyon, a 2024 annual survey found the species mix at Brown Trout 71.3%, Rainbow Trout 28.5%, cutbow 0.2% (CPW fishery survey).
- Two Gold Medal sections cover this reach: Cheesman Dam to Wigwam Club (catch-and-release, flies and lures only) and Wigwam Club to Scraggy View picnic ground (2-fish bag, 16-inch minimum) (CPW fishery survey; CPW special regulations).
Rivers and creeks that flow into the South Platte
23 hold fish on Colorado Parks and Wildlife's records, listed from the headwaters down. Open one for where to fish and its rules.
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Middle Fork South Platte River Brown, rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout, plus 1 other species
Where to fish
Alma SWA
CPW access point · Medium access
Tomahawk SWA
CPW access point · Medium access · Stocked with young trout
Badger Basin SWA
CPW access point · Easy access
CPW special rules
Special CPW rules apply on parts of it; its guide lists them.
About it
It joins the South Platte about 3 miles E of Hartsel. It flows year-round. CPW also records cutbows.
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South Fork South Platte River Brown and rainbow trout
Where to fish
Knight-Imler SWA
CPW access point · Easy access
Badger Basin SWA
CPW access point · Easy access
CPW special rules
From US 285 downstream to Antero Reservoir
- Artificial flies and lures only.
- Trout 12–20 inches long must be returned to water immediately.
- Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. Only one may be longer than 20 inches.
From Antero Reservoir downstream in the newly constructed channel to the confluence with the existing channel
- Artificial flies and lures only.
- All trout must be returned to water immediately.
From the lower boundary fence of the Badger Basin State Wildlife Area downstream to the confluence with the Middle Fork of the South Platte
- Artificial flies and lures only.
- Trout 12–20 inches long must be returned to water immediately.
- Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. Only one may be longer than 20 inches.
About it
It joins the South Platte about 3 miles E of Hartsel. It flows year-round.
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Tarryall Creek Brown and rainbow trout, plus 1 other species
Where to fish
National forest stretch
About 10 miles up the creek · Forest Road 212, high-clearance, open Jun 16 to Dec 31
CPW special rules
For that portion of Tarryall Creek located on the Cline Ranch State Wildlife Area
- Artificial flies and lures only.
- Bag and possession limit for trout is 2.
- Fishing prohibited Oct. 1 through the last day of February.
- Fishing access restricted to designated fishing areas (beats). Each fishing beat restricted to occupants of vehicle in parking stall assigned to that beat (determined by corresponding number). No more than 4 anglers per vehicle. Only 1 vehicle per stall.
About it
It joins the South Platte about 8 miles N of Lake George. It flows year-round. CPW also records northern pike.
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Turkey Creek Brook trout
Where to fish
National forest stretch
About 12 miles up the creek · About half a mile by the Spur Trail and the Turkey Creek Trail from Forest Road 360.A, high-clearance
About it
It joins the South Platte about 7 miles W of Westcreek. It flows year-round.
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Goose Creek Brown, rainbow and brook trout
Where to fish
Pike National Forest
CPW access point · Medium access
About it
It joins the South Platte about 7 miles NW of Westcreek. It flows year-round.
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Wigwam Creek Brown, rainbow and brook trout
Where to fish
Lost Creek Wilderness Area
CPW access point · Easy access
About it
It joins the South Platte about 8 miles NW of Westcreek. It flows year-round.
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Horse Creek Brown trout
Where to fish
Pike National Forest
CPW access point · Medium access
About it
It joins the South Platte about 8 miles NW of Westcreek. It flows year-round.
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Sugar Creek Brook trout
Where to fish
National forest stretch
About 1.5 miles up the creek · A short walk by the Noddle Trail from the Sugar Creek Lower Trailhead
About it
It joins the South Platte about 7 miles SE of the town of Buffalo Creek. It flows year-round.
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Pine Creek Brown and brook trout
Where to fish
Pike National Forest
CPW access point · Easy access
About it
It joins the South Platte about 6 miles SE of the town of Buffalo Creek. It flows year-round.
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Spring Creek Brown and brook trout
Where to fish
Pike National Forest
CPW access point · Medium access
About it
It joins the South Platte about 6 miles E of the town of Buffalo Creek. It flows seasonally along most of its length.
Show all 23
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North Fork South Platte River Brown, rainbow and brook trout
Where to fish
Pike National Forest
CPW access point · About 4 miles NE of the town of Buffalo Creek · Easy access · Stocked with catchable and young trout
Pine Valley Ranch Park
CPW access point · Easy access · Stocked with catchable and young trout
Pike National Forest
CPW access point · About 2 miles E of Grant · Easy access · Stocked with young trout
Pike National Forest
CPW access point · About 9 miles N of Jefferson · Easy access
About it
It joins the South Platte about 6 miles E of the town of Buffalo Creek. It flows year-round.
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Bear Creek Brown and rainbow trout
Where to fish
Pike National Forest
CPW access point · Difficult access
About it
It joins the South Platte about 4 miles SW of Roxborough Park. It flows year-round.
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Bear Creek Brown, rainbow and brook trout
Where to fish
Lair o' the Bear Park
CPW access point · Easy access · Stocked with young trout
Mount Evans Wilderness Area
CPW access point · Difficult access
CPW special rules
From the base of Evergreen Lake dam downstream to Bear Creek Reservoir
- Artificial flies and lures only.
- Bag and possession limit for trout (except rainbow and cutbow) is 2.
- Rainbow trout and cutbow must be returned to water immediately.
About it
It joins the South Platte at Sheridan. It flows year-round.
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Cherry Creek Brook trout, plus 1 other species
Where to fish
We found no CPW access point or public-land stretch on it. Check land ownership before you fish.
About it
It joins the South Platte about 3 miles E of Edgewater. It flows year-round along most of its length. CPW also records largemouth bass.
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Sand Creek Common carp
Where to fish
We found no CPW access point or public-land stretch on it. Check land ownership before you fish.
About it
It joins the South Platte at North Washington. It flows year-round along most of its length.
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Clear Creek Brown, rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout, plus 6 other species
Where to fish
Clear Creek County Open Space
CPW access point · Easy access · Stocked with young trout
Arapaho National Forest
CPW access point · Medium access
About it
It joins the South Platte at Welby. It flows year-round. CPW also records Snake River cutthroat, cutbows, black crappie, common carp, green sunfish and largemouth bass.
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Big Dry Creek Common carp, green sunfish and largemouth bass
Where to fish
We found no CPW access point or public-land stretch on it. Check land ownership before you fish.
About it
It joins the South Platte at Fort Lupton. It flows year-round along most of its length.
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Saint Vrain Creek Brown trout, plus 3 other species
Where to fish
We found no CPW access point or public-land stretch on it. Check land ownership before you fish.
About it
It joins the South Platte about 3 miles S of Milliken. CPW also records bluegill, green sunfish and largemouth bass.
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Big Thompson River Brown, rainbow and brook trout, plus 5 other species
Where to fish
Forks SWA
CPW access point · Easy access · Stocked with young trout
CPW special rules
From the base of Olympus Dam at Lake Estes downstream to the bridge at Waltonia
- Artificial flies and lures only.
- All trout must be returned to water immediately.
About it
It joins the South Platte at Evans. It flows year-round. CPW also records cutbows, black crappie, common carp, largemouth bass and white crappie.
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Cache la Poudre River Brown and rainbow trout, plus 6 other species
Where to fish
Roosevelt National Forest
CPW access point · About 9 miles SW of Livermore · Medium access · Stocked with catchable trout
Poudre River SFU
CPW access point · Easy access · Stocked with young trout
Bliss SWA
CPW access point · Easy access
Roosevelt National Forest
CPW access point · About 9 miles SE of Red Feather Lakes · Medium access · Stocked with catchable and young trout
CPW special rules
Special CPW rules apply on parts of it; its guide lists them.
About it
It joins the South Platte about 2 miles NW of Kersey. It flows year-round. CPW also records mountain whitefish, black crappie, bluegill, common carp, green sunfish and largemouth bass.
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Wildcat Creek Black bullhead
Where to fish
We found no CPW access point or public-land stretch on it. Check land ownership before you fish.
About it
It joins the South Platte about 3 miles NW of Brush. It flows seasonally along most of its length.
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Beaver Creek Rainbow trout, plus 1 other species
Where to fish
We found no CPW access point or public-land stretch on it. Check land ownership before you fish.
About it
It joins the South Platte at Hillrose. It flows seasonally along most of its length. CPW also records bluegill.
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Lodgepole Creek Common carp
Where to fish
We found no CPW access point or public-land stretch on it. Check land ownership before you fish.
About it
It joins the South Platte at Ovid. It flows year-round.
Show 36 more named tributaries (no CPW fish data)
These also flow straight into the South Platte. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has no fish data for them; some may still hold fish.
- Threemile Creek
- Cross Creek
- Union Creek
- Spring Creek
- Balm of Gilead Creek
- Sims Creek
- Rimrock Creek
- Twin Creek
- Adamans Creek
- Vermillion Creek
- Beaver Creek
- Corral Creek
- Wildcat Creek
- Douglas Creek
- Fourmile Creek
- Brush Creek
- Gunbarrel Creek
- Willow Creek
- Brush Creek
- Willow Creek
- Deer Creek
- Plum Creek
- Dutch Creek
- Big Dry Creek
- Second Creek
- Third Creek
- Lone Tree Creek
- Crow Creek
- Lost Creek
- Kiowa Creek
- Bijou Creek
- Badger Creek
- Pawnee Creek
- Cedar Creek
- Lewis Creek
- Cottonwood Creek
Species and special rules are Colorado Parks and Wildlife's. Statewide rules apply everywhere. Before you fish, check land ownership, CPW's current regulations and its temporary closures for drought and low water.
How we pick these
Species are CPW's records from its Fishing Atlas. A creek missing from this list may still hold fish; CPW simply has no record for it. The list runs in the order each one joins the South Platte, from the headwaters down, and "joins" names the nearest town to where it does on the same side of the mountains: a Census place, or a town with its own post office. Flow is how USGS maps each channel, not a live reading.
Special rules are the ones CPW writes for each creek in its Fishing Atlas. Rules CPW writes for the river itself, such as closures around a creek's mouth, are not repeated on the creek, and no directions lead into water CPW closes all year.
A national forest stretch is one that both the Forest Service's and BLM's ownership maps show as national forest for at least half a mile of the creek, with a road on the Forest Service's motor vehicle map within 500 feet; directions go to that road. Where a line names a trail, the Forest Service trail comes within 500 feet of the creek instead, and directions go to its trailhead; from where the trail enters the forest, the whole way is national forest in both maps. Maps can be wrong and road seasons change. Away from CPW access points, check land ownership before you fish.
Getting to the South Platte
- Eleven Mile Canyon: enter via County Road 96 from Lake George and use designated day-use parking. The Overlook Trail #641 starts at the parking area below Elevenmile Dam; use that public lot rather than an occupied campsite. The USFS canyon day-use fee is $11 per vehicle; road access is weather-dependent (USFS Overlook Trail; USFS canyon access and fees).
- Cheesman Canyon Trailhead / Gill Trail #610 (Pike-San Isabel National Forests): park in designated spaces only, no overnight parking or use; in the canyon itself it's flies and lures only, catch-and-release only, dogs leashed (USFS Cheesman Canyon Trailhead).
- Lone Rock Campground, 1 mile west of Deckers on US 126, has river access on "gold medal waters" -- but private land and fences run along the river, so watch for posted boundaries (USFS Lone Rock Campground).
- South Platte River Corridor day-use area is open year-round, sunrise-to-sunset hours; day use only between Pine Creek Road and Buffalo Creek. "Watercraft may pass through private property but are not allowed to stop on private property" (USFS South Platte River Corridor).
- Eleven Mile Canyon: the 3.8 miles from Elevenmile Dam downstream to the Wagon Tongue Gulch Road bridge at Springer Gulch are artificial flies and lures only; all fish must be released immediately. Do not apply this boundary or the Deckers regulations to the entire canyon; obey current signs and CPW rules (CPW canyon boundaries and regulations).
- Gold MedalCheesman Dam to the Wigwam Club south property line -- flies and lures only, all trout released. Gold MedalNorth Wigwam Club boundary to Scraggy View picnic ground -- flies and lures only, 2 trout at a 16-inch minimum (CPW fishery survey; CPW special regulations).
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What’s hatching on the South Platte
14 insects, from the published hatch charts of 5 fly shops, guides and fishing sites. Tap an insect to see where its dates come from. Every river, month by month →
StonefliesFeb – Mar · hook #8–141 source
Where these dates come from:
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Little Black Stonefly”: Feb – Mar (months only) · #8-14 (stonefly range)
Hoppers & terrestrialsApr – Oct · hook #6–185 sources
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Terrestrials (various)”: Jul 15 – Sep 30 · #6-18
- Big Y Fly Co “Hoppers”: Jul 15 – Sep 25 · #6-12
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Hoppers”: Jun – Sep (months only) · #10-16
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Ants”: Apr – Oct (months only) · #14-18
- Check Your Flies (South Platte Basin) “Terrestrials (hopper/ant/beetle)”: no dates given · #10-16
CaddisMay – Sep 30 · hook #10–205 sources
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Caddis (various)”: May 8 – Sep 30 · #10-18
- Big Y Fly Co “Caddis”: May 10 – Sep 30 · #10-18
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Caddis”: May – Sep (months only) · #14-18
- FlyFishFinder “Caddis”: May – Aug (months only) · #16-18
- Check Your Flies (South Platte Basin) “Caddis”: no dates given · #14-20
Golden StonefliesMay – Aug · hook #8–144 sources
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Golden Stonefly”: May 8 – Jul 7 · #8-10
- Big Y Fly Co “Golden Stone”: May 15 – Jul 31 · #8-10
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Golden Stonefly”: May – Aug (months only) · #8-14 (stonefly range)
- Check Your Flies (South Platte Basin) “Golden Stonefly”: no dates given · #8-10
SalmonfliesMay – Jun · hook #8–141 source
Where these dates come from:
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Salmonfly”: May – Jun (months only) · #8-14 (stonefly range)
Pale Morning Duns (PMD)May – Sep · hook #16–245 sources
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Pale Morning Dun”: Jun 1 – Aug 7 · #16-20
- Big Y Fly Co “PMD”: Jun 15 – Aug 30 · #16-18
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Pale Morning Dun”: Jun – Sep (months only) · #18-24 (mayfly range)
- FlyFishFinder “Pale Morning Dun”: May – Jul (months only) · #16-18
- Check Your Flies (South Platte Basin) “PMD”: no dates given · #16-20
Green DrakesJun – Aug · hook #10–242 sources
Where these dates come from:
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Green Drake”: Jun – Aug (months only) · #18-24 (mayfly range)
- Check Your Flies (South Platte Basin) “Green Drake”: no dates given · #10-12
Yellow SalliesJun – Aug · hook #8–182 sources
Where these dates come from:
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Yellow Sally”: Jun – Aug (months only) · #8-14 (stonefly range)
- Check Your Flies (South Platte Basin) “Yellow Sally”: no dates given · #12-18
TricosJul – Oct 22 · hook #18–264 sources
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Trico”: Jul 23 – Oct 22 · #20-24
- Big Y Fly Co “Trico”: Jul 15 – Oct 15 · #18-22
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Trico”: Jul – Sep (months only) · #18-24 (mayfly range)
- Check Your Flies (South Platte Basin) “Trico”: no dates given · #18-26
Blue-Winged Olives (BWO)All year · hook #16–248 sources
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Blue Winged Olive (spring)”: Mar 23 – Apr 30 · #16-20
- Fly Shack “Blue Winged Olive (fall)”: Sep 1 – Oct 31 · #16-20
- Big Y Fly Co “BWO (spring)”: Mar 15 – May 15 · #16-20
- Big Y Fly Co “BWO (fall)”: Aug 15 – Oct 31 · #16-20
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Blue-Winged Olive”: Jan – Dec (months only) · #18-24 (mayfly range)
- FlyFishFinder “Blue-Winged Olive”: Mar – May (months only) · #18-22
- FlyFishFinder “Blue-Winged Olive”: Sep – Nov (months only) · #18-22
- Check Your Flies (South Platte Basin) “BWO”: no dates given · #16-24
Crane fliesAll year · hook #6–141 source
Where these dates come from:
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Cranefly larva”: Jan – Dec (months only) · #6-14
MidgesAll year · hook #18–285 sources
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Midges”: Jan 1 – Dec 31 · #24-28
- Big Y Fly Co “Midges”: Jan 1 – Dec 31 · #20-24
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Midge (nymph/emerger/dry)”: Jan – Dec (months only) · #18-26
- FlyFishFinder “Midge”: Jan – Dec (months only) · #22-26 (Mercury Midge); size 24 Zebra Midge cited
- Check Your Flies (South Platte Basin) “Midges”: no dates given · #20-26
ScudsAll year · hook #14–181 source
Where these dates come from:
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “Scud”: Jan – Dec (months only) · #14-18
Worms & eggsAll year · hook #10–161 source
Where these dates come from:
- The Catch and The Hatch (Deckers) “San Juan Worm”: Jan – Dec (months only) · #10-16
Some sources list only months, not days, so treat the dates as a guide and check conditions before you go.
24 fly pairings from real fishing reports
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Fly shops on the South Platte
South Platte fly fishing questions
What is a good flow (cfs) to fish the South Platte?
Guides and local shops report ideal wade-fishing windows of roughly 150–400 cfs on the Cheesman Canyon / Deckers reach and 100–250 cfs on the Dream Stream (Spinney to Elevenmile) reach and 150–250 cfs on the Eleven Mile Canyon (below Elevenmile Reservoir) reach of the South Platte (Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing; RiverReports; Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing). TroutTips shows the live current reading for each reach against its own range so you can check before you go.
Is the South Platte designated Gold Medal water?
Yes, the Gold Medal designation includes these tracked stretches of the South Platte: Cheesman Canyon / Deckers; Dream Stream (Spinney to Elevenmile). Check the access and regulations section for the exact boundaries; the designation does not cover the entire river.
What flies work on the South Platte?
TroutTips tracks 24 fly pairings reported specifically on the South Platte, each tied to a season and a real source. See the Fly Pairings section on this page for the full list.
Are there fly shops near the South Platte?
Yes, Royal Gorge Anglers, Minturn Anglers (Minturn), Ty's Fly N Tackle, Tumbling Trout Fly Shop, South Platte Fly Shop, Flies & Lies, Angler's Covey, Anglers All, Minturn Anglers - Denver Front Range guide this river. See the Nearby Fly Shops section on this page for details.