Fish the Animas River

From the Needle Mountains on the southern slopes of the San Juan’s the Animas River starts its journey of 126 miles to the confluence of the San Juan River. The town of Durango boasts Gold Medal Water with possession and size requirements.

Animas River Information: from the confluence with Lightner Creek to the Rivera Crossing Bridge:

• Fishing is by artifical flies and lures only.
• The bag and possession limit and minimum size for trout is two fish and 16 inches in length.
• There is no bag or possession limit for Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Bullhead, Yellow Perch or Crappie.
• This is a Gold Medal Water.

 
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Fishing within the City of Durango (Gold Medal Water) has easy access with paved parallel trails for 7 miles of river. Below town, river access is through the park, which extends down to the Rivera Crossing Bridge. Below the Rivera Bridge, access is limited due to private land and the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Fishing Permits are can be purchased by Non-Members of the Tribe.

Big Molas Lake- elevation 10,516 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: na
 
 
 
 
 
 

Andrews Lake- elevation 10,749 feet
Fish: Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: non-motorized
  
 
 
 
 

Lime Creek- elevation 9,056 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout and Brook Trout
Access: Difficult
Boating: na
 
 
 
 
 
 

Haviland Lake- elevation 8,111 feet
Fish: Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Electric
 
 
 
 
 
 

Henderson Lake- elevation 9,948 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout
Access: Difficult
Boating: na
 
 
 
 
 

Hermosa Creek- elevation 6,839 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout
Access: Medium
Boating: na
 
 
 
 
 
 

Animas River- elevation 6,458 feet
Fish: Brown Trout, Cutbow Trout, Rainbow Trout, Snake River Cutthroat
Access: Easy
Boating: non-motorized
Located in the City of Durango’s Santa Rita Park