Colorado Parks and Wildlife may designate a water as “Gold Medal” once it has demonstrated that the fishery consistently produces a trout standing stock of at least 60 pounds per acre and produces an average of at least 12 “quality trout” (14+ inches) per acre. Gold Medal water designation can only be applied to waters that are accessible for fishing by the general angling public. River segments must be at least 2 miles in length and lakes must be a minimum of 50 acres. Currently, 11 different rivers and three lakes account for nearly 325 miles of Gold Medal waters statewide, highlighted on the map with descriptions below.
The Gold Medal section between Lightner Creek (flowing into the Animas on the West side of Durango) and the Rivera Crossing Bridge holds plenty of rainbow and brown trout between 14-18 inches. Regulations require fishing with artificial flies or lures only.
Local TU Chapter: fiveriverstu.org
In 2014, after 20 years of cleaning up mining pollution in the river, Colorado Parks and Wildlife designated a 102 miles of the Arkansas as the longest Gold Medal fishery in Colorado. Gold Medal waters stretch between the Lake Fork confluence near Leadville and the U.S. 50 bridge crossing just above the Royal Gorge at Parkdale, with many public access points available from US Hwy 24 and US Hwy 50. Additional Gold Medal designations from the U.S. 24 overpass downstream to the lower boundary of the Hayden Ranch, as posted, and from the stockyard bridge (Chaffee CR 102) below Salida downstream 7.5 miles to the confluence with Badger Creek. Some sections are fly and lure only or strictly catch and release.
Local TU Chapter: collegiatepeakstu.org
While 19 miles of the Blue above Green Mountain Reservoir lost its Gold Medal status in 2016, a short (2+ miles), easily accessed Gold Medal fishery remains in the heavily developed stretch between the Dillon Reservoir dam (reached via the Silverthorne Outlet Stores) and the Hamilton Creek Road bridge. A longer segment starting just below the Green Mountain Reservoir dam and stretching to the confluence with the Colorado River near Kremmling offers a more remote fishing experience, however access is limited and much more difficult, whether by foot or float. A steep dirt bank off County Road 1812 (take Heeney Road west off US Hwy. 9) serves as the launch point for both, requiring a belay rope for most rafts. The BLM takeout off the Trough Road just above the Colorado River confluence is similarly challenging.
Local TU Chapter: facebook.com/gorerangeanglerstroutunlimted
The upper Colorado River offers multiple opportunities to catch quality trout in two distinct Gold Medal segments. The 20-mile reach between Windy Gap Reservoir at the Fraser River confluence near Granby and Troublesome Creek, east of Kremmling, includes multiple State Wildlife Areas and sporadic public wading access scattered between private parcels. A second 20-mile Gold Medal reach starting at Canyon Creek (accessible via the BLM Pumphouse Recreation Area and Campground just below Gore Canyon) and extending to Rock Creek (near McCoy) is the state’s most recent GM designation, attracting many anglers with multiple boat ramps and miles of public wade fishing access to the highest concentration of trout on the upper Colorado River.
Local TU Chapter: coheadwaters.org
From the Ruedi Reservoir Dam downstream to the confluence with the Roaring Fork River, about 14 miles of the Fryingpan are designated Gold Medal, but the tailwater just below the dam is most renowned for large trout. As such, it attracts the most attention (be prepared to stand in line to fish the “Toilet Bowl” hole). This section of the river is catch and release only for rainbows, although bag limit for brown trout is two fish up to 14 inches long.
Local TU Chapter: ferdinandhaydentu.org
Gold Medal water continues for another 22 miles below the confluence with the Fryingpan until the Roaring Fork joins the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. Typically swift currents make float fishing preferable for many anglers, but there is wade fishing access surrounding boat ramps at the Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area near Carbondale and the Sam Caudill/West Bank SWA upstream of Glenwood Springs, and small pockets within the town itself. Many hardy brown and rainbow trout can be found in this stretch, along with mountain whitefish.
Local TU Chapter: ferdinandhaydentu.org
A paved recreation path along Gore Creek in Vail offers easy access to one of the state’s smallest sections of Gold Medal water. Cold water and ongoing efforts to enhance water quality nurture an abundance of rainbows and brown trout between Red Sandstone Creek and the confluence with the Eagle River.
Local TU Chapter: eaglevalley.tu.org
While access can be challenging, the Gunnison River flowing through Black Canyon National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area holds thousands of rainbow and trophy brown trout. Gold Medal designation begins 200 yards below Crystal Reservoir Dam (with good access through Curecanti National Recreation Area) and extends just beyond the confluence with the North Fork of the Gunnison. Long, steep hikes are required to reach the river within the park, growing gradually less arduous as you move downstream to the North Fork confluence.
Local TU Chapters: gunnisonanglingsociety.org and gunnisongorgeanglers.tu.org
Gold Medal designation on the North Platte through Northgate Canyon would be longer, if it didn’t cross the Wyoming state line. Gold Medal begins at the Routt National Forest boundary and technically ends at the state line, but nobody told the trout. Access from CO 125 and USFS 896 roads, with a friendly hike-to access point in the Wilderness Area at Threemile Creek. Be sure to pick up a Wyoming fishing license if you plan to float to the 6 Mile Road takeout off of WY Hwy. 230.
Nearby TU Chapters: yvfftu.org and wyomingtu.org
The river flowing between the CO 149 bridge at South Fork downstream to the Rio Grande Canal diversion structure West of Del Norte is designated Gold Medal, with regulations requiring artificial flies and lures only. It also makes for a great float trip, launching at the Deer Park Fishing Access Point and drifting flies over brown trout that grow large on abundant local hatches. Take out at the Rio Grande River SWA (Del Norte Fishing Easements). Additional wading easements are few, but there’s ample public wading access above the GM reach. Rainbow trout must be released immediately but there’s a bag limit of two brown trout up to 12 inches.
Local TU Chapter: troutunlimitedslv.org
Accessible Gold Medal waters span multiple reaches of the South Platte, including the Middle Fork from the CO Hwy. 9 bridge to the South Fork confluence and extending about 20 miles downstream to Spinney Mountain Reservoir. The 4-mile section between Spinney Mountain Reservoir and the inlet of Eleven Mile Reservoir (Charlie Meyers SWA) is commonly known as the “Dream Stream” due to the massive brown and rainbow trout that move into the reach around spawning periods. The sections below Cheesman Reservoir Dam to the south boundary of the Wigwam Club property and from the north boundary of the Wigwam Club to Scraggy View Picnic Ground are also considered Gold Medal, accessed by the 5-mile Gill Trail (#610) through Cheesman Canyon. The tailwater fishery offers a technical challenge worthy of its Gold Medal rating.
Nearby TU Chapters: ppctu.org and evergreentrout.org
Spinney Mountain is a 2,500-acre lake formed by the South Platte River in South Park (Park County). The reservoir separates two Gold Medal sections of the South Platte River and is renowned for trophy rainbow and brown trout, as well as northern pike. Spinney Mountain Reservoir State Park’s “Opening Day” after spring ice off is prime time to tap into hefty trout from either the bank or a boat. Only artificial flies and lures are allowed and the bag limit is one trout over 20 inches.
At 1,053 surface acres, Steamboat Lake in Routt County offers both abundance and variety of trout, including Snake River cutthroat trout. Along with great fishing, the lake doubles as a state park and offers fantastic views with Hahn’s Peak forming part of the scenery. Unlike most Gold Medal waters, bait fishing is allowed at Steamboat Lake (although flies or lures are required at nearby Pearl Lake, where anglers can also fish for Arctic grayling).
At 160 acres, North Delaney Butte Lake near Walden (Jackson County) is the smallest of Colorado’s three Gold Medal lakes, but holds the brood stock for brown trout in the state hatchery system, along with thousands of rainbows, cutthroats and cutbows. The cold water impoundment on the Delaney Butte SWA has a boat ramp, pit restrooms and free camping available to licensed anglers (and other State Habitat Stamp holders). Target browns cruising shorelines in the fall when fishing restrictions go into effect around the inlet and dam for CPW trout spawning operations in October. Additional regulations and slot limits exist year-round.
