Fishing the Dolores River

Upper Dolores River, US 145:

From the top of Lizard Head Pass, the Dolores River flows 241 miles until it empties into the Colorado River. The Dolores travels down in a canyon, past the old mining town of Rico and into McPhee Reservoir near the town of Dolores. Below the Reservoir is the Dolores River Canyon, averaging 1,110 feet in depth for over 40 miles with a northward flow. The major fishing areas are the feeder streams, the river above the Town of Dolores, and the stretch below McPhee Reservoir. Colorado has established fishing regulations, which are noted in each river section below:
 

Fishing side canyons above Dolores:
Bear Creek- elevation 8,612 feet
Fish: Cutbow and Cutthroat Trout
Boating: na

Roaring Forks Creek- elevation na
Fish: Cutthroat & Brook Trout
Access: Difficult
Boating: na

Stoner Creek- elevation 7,838 feet
Fish: Cutthroat
Access: Difficult
Boating: na

Fishing in the town of Dolores:

Dolores River, Joe Rowell Park- elevaton 6,927 feet
Fish: Kokonee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
Access: Medium
Boating with non-motorized boats.

Kokanee regulations apply: kokanee snagging only from September 1
through December 31.

McPhee Reservoir: elevation-6,927 feet

Note: All Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass from 10-15 inches in length must be returned to the water upon catch. Walleye has no bag or possession limit. Kokanee snagging only from September 1 through December 31.

Fish: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Crappie, Yellow Pearch, Walleye, Kokanee Salmon, Bluegill, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy

 

Base of McPhee Dam to the Bradfield Bridge (11 miles of water):

Fishing only is with artificial flies and lures. For Channel Catfish, Largemounth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Bluehead, Yellow Perch or Crappie there is no bag limit or posession limit.

All Trout need to be returned to the water upon catching.

Dolores River:elevation-6,469 feet

Fish: Brown Trout, Cutthroat, Rainbow, and Snake River Cutthroat Access: Medium Boating: non-motorized

Groundhog Reservoir- elevation 8,724 feet

Fish: Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout

Access: Easy

Boating: Hand Launched Additional Info: -Groundhog & Nash Creeks: from the Groundhog Reservoir upstream for 1/2 mile, fishing is prohibited from April 15 through July 15.

Lone Dome State Wildlife Area:

Location: From Cortez, 21 miles north on Hwy 491 to CR-DD; east 1 mile to CR-16; north 3 miles to access road; 3 miles to the Bridge.

Acreage: 1,662 Acres Colorado Parks Wildlife: Durango: 970-247-0855

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