Colorado
Animas River at Durango
Current River Rating
Fair · 64
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Sunday, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 186 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.24 ft
- Water Temperature
- 64.4 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 09361500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
61°F
Feels like
57°F
Wind
4 mph SW
Wind gust
4 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 2 AM
Clear
Temp 61°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 6 AM
Clear
Temp 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 10 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 74°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 2 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 82°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Sat 6 PM
Clear
Temp 81°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 10 PM
Clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 83°F / Low 57°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 86°F / Low 61°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.03 in
Max gust 17 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 78°F / Low 58°F
Chance 41%
Precip 0.21 in
Max gust 14 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Drizzle
High 84°F / Low 58°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 9 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Bounded Animas River trout destination at Durango. CPW Gold Medal is Lightner Creek to Rivera Crossing. USGS 09361500 is the at-location monitoring identity. Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. Not the Hermosa Creek-to-state-line reach.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Animas River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Animas River at Durango is a CPW Gold Medal trout river through town. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 09361500 (live discharge and water temperature). Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes seasonal hatch guidance based on published local fishing sources. Actual insect activity varies with weather, water temperature, elevation, and local conditions. This is not a live hatch observation.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
CPW 2026 Gold Medal Water (trout standing-stock criteria in the 2026 Colorado Fishing Brochure). Animas River from Lightner Creek to Rivera Crossing.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
CPW 2026 Gold Medal Water (trout standing-stock criteria in the 2026 Colorado Fishing Brochure). Animas River from Lightner Creek to Rivera Crossing.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Town-adjacent mountain trout river with public Gold Medal water from Lightner Creek to Rivera Crossing.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing on the CPW Gold Medal reach is subject to the 2026 Colorado Fishing Brochure. Confirm current town, CPW, and land-manager postings in Durango.
Stocking information
Confirm any current CPW stocking on the official stocking report. Gold Medal standing-stock criteria are not a live stocking claim.
Official sources
CPW Gold Medal special regulations apply from Lightner Creek to Rivera Crossing: flies and lures only; trout bag/possession 2 fish, 16-inch minimum. Verify the current brochure before fishing.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
La Plata, Colorado
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
La Plata
Management Category
Gold Medal trout river
Regulation Scope
Animas River Gold Medal at Durango (Lightner Creek to Rivera Crossing)
Regulation Summary
Gold Medal Animas (Lightner Creek–Rivera Crossing): artificial flies and lures only; 2 trout, 16-inch minimum.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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