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Located in Central Colorado the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers are legendary waters for the trout fisherman. At 42 miles in length, the Fryingpan provides multiple opportunities for the angler, quiet streams above Ruedi Reservoir, excellent lake fishing on the Ruedi, and Gold Medal Waters in the tailwater section down to the confluence with the Roaring Fork. The Roaring Fork River is born on the slopes of the continental divide just below Independence Pass, and passes through the ski towns of Aspen and Snowmass. At 70 miles, the Roaring Fork is the longest river within the drainage system, before it’s confluence with the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs.
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The Fryingpan River:
With a length of 42 miles, the Fryingpan River rises in northeastern Pitkin County in the Hunter Fryingpan Wilderness Area (White River National Forest). The Fryingpan is well known for its massive insect hatches, which combined with the tailwater section below Ruedi Reservoir produce large fish. The tailwater section for a mile below the dam is very productive due to the presence of Mysis Shrimp, which yield fish in the 10 pound (4.5 Kg) range. The tailwater is Gold Medal to the confluence with the Roaring Fork River in Basalt. This section of 14 miles provides 8.5 miles of public access to the river. The Fryingpan tailwater section is well known for it’s year round hatches, good wading and large trout.
Colorado Fryingpan River: Fish Management and Survey
Colorado Ruedi Reservoir: Fish Management and Survey
Fryingpan River- elevation 10,357 feet
Fish: Brook Trout
Access: Medium
Boating: na
Ivanhoe Lake- elevation 10,935 feet
Fish: Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout
Access: Difficult
Boating: na
Ivanhoe Creek- elevation 10,434 feet
Fish: Brook Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: na
Nast Lake- elevation 8,709 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout
Access: Medium
Boating: na
Fryingpan River- elevation 8,632 feet
Fish: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: na
Chapman Reservoir- elevation 8,546 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Snake River Cutthroat
Access: Medium
Boating: Non-motorized
North Fork Fryingpan River- elevation 8,827 feet
Fish: Brown Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: na
Rocky Fork Creek- elevation 7,945 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout
Access: Difficult
Boating: na
Fishing Regulations:
-Fishing is only with flies and lures
-All Cutthroat Trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catching.
Reudi Reservoir- elevation 7,771 feet
Fish: Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Kokanee Salmon, Mountain Whitefish, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Snake River Cutthroat Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Motor boats
Fryingpan River- elevation 6,992 feet
Fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: na
Additional Info:
-From Ruedi Dam downstream to the confluence with the Roaring Fork River, aprox. 14 miles
-Fishing is with flies and lures only.
-All Trout, except Brown Trout, must be returned to the water upon catching.
-The bag and possession limit is two fish with a maximum size of 14 inches.
-This is Gold Medal Water
The Roaring Fork River:
The Roaring Fork River drains from the top of Independence Pass (12,0951 elevation) on the continental divide. Flowing downstream for 70 miles, through Aspen, Woody Creek, and Snowmass, merging with the Fryingpan River at Basalt. The Crystal River joins the Roaring Fork at Carbondale, several miles below Basalt. Continuing downstream the Roaring Fork meets the Colorado River at Glenwood Springs. Like many rivers and streams in Colorado, the best fishing is from early June until the end of September, with dries and nymphs being primary.
Maroon Lake- elevation 9,586 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Snake River Cutthroat
Access: Easy
Boating: na
Grizzly Reservoir- elevation 10,542 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout
Access: Medium
Boating: na
Lost Man Reservoir- elevation 10,588 feet
Fish: Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Snake River Cutthroat Trout
Access: Medium
Boating: na
Christine Lake- elevation 7,295 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Snake River Cutthroat Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: na
Old Pond- elevation 6,584 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: na
Additioanl Info: Special Fishing Regulations for the Roaring Fork River
-Fishing is by flies and lures only.
-The bag and possession limit is 2 fish with a minimum length of 16 inches
Roaring Fork River- elevation 5,840 feet
Fish: Mountain Whitefish, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Non-motorized
Additional Info: Special Fishing Regulations for the Roaring Fork River, from the upper Woody Creek Bridge downstream to the rivers confluence with the Colorado River (this excludes 50 yards downstream and upstream with the Roaring Forks confluences with Fourmile Creek and Threemile Creeks);
-Fishing is with flies and lures only.
-The bag and possession limit for trout is 2 fish with a minimum length of 16 inches.