Arizona
Colorado River at Lees Ferry
Current River Rating
Poor · 42
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 9320 CFS
- Gage Height
- 8.4 ft
- Water Temperature
- 68.9 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 09380000 · 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
77°F
Feels like
74°F
Wind
3 mph W
Wind gust
10 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 76°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 6 AM
Overcast
Temp 72°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 10 AM
Clear
Temp 81°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 2 PM
Clear
Temp 95°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 11 mph
Sat 6 PM
Overcast
Temp 97°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Sat 10 PM
Overcast
Temp 84°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 97°F / Low 71°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 89°F / Low 75°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 94°F / Low 71°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Clear
High 94°F / Low 73°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 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
Colorado River at Lees Ferry, Arizona. Monitoring-Backed from USGS 09380000 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from Lake Powell at Glen Canyon Dam 09379900.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Colorado 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
Lees Ferry is Arizona’s flagship Glen Canyon Dam rainbow-trout tailwater from the dam to Paria Riffle. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 09380000 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). This is not Lake Powell. Rainbow trout are the selector species. Posted water immediately below the dam is closed. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only. Flow Context remains default-deny — no invented Lees Ferry CFS band. Distinct from Utah Cisco, Colorado Rockies gauges, and Grand Canyon inner-canyon water.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
AZGFD Lees Ferry: rainbow trout are the primary sport fish. USGS 09380000. Distinct from Lake Powell 09379900. Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. They are described in overview and regulation caution only. Razorback sucker, humpback chub, bonytail, and Colorado pikeminnow are protected native fish, not StrikeTracks species-selector IDs.
Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Cold, clear Glen Canyon Dam tailwater through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to Lees Ferry / Paria Riffle, Coconino County.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by AZGFD Lees Ferry special rules and NPS Glen Canyon NRA. Catalog coordinates are the USGS Lees Ferry point, not a launch pin. A valid Arizona fishing license is required. Posted areas immediately below Glen Canyon Dam are closed.
Stocking information
AZGFD and federal partners manage Lees Ferry as a rainbow-trout tailwater. Confirm current official notices. Do not invent a stocking calendar.
Official sources
AZGFD Commission Order 40 Lees Ferry (Glen Canyon Dam to Paria Riffle): limit 2 rainbow trout per day; artificial fly and lure only; barbless hooks only. Rainbow trout must be killed and retained or immediately released. No limit on other listed sport fish. Posted water immediately below Glen Canyon Dam is closed. Distinct from lake-powell-at-glen-canyon-dam. Do not invent trout CFS. Confirm current AZGFD/NPS pages.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Coconino, Arizona
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
Coconino
Management Category
Tailwater trout river
Regulation Scope
Colorado River at Lees Ferry / Glen Canyon Dam to Paria Riffle
Regulation Summary
Colorado River at Lees Ferry: AZGFD Lees Ferry special rules plus NPS Glen Canyon NRA. Confirm current Commission Order 40.
Target Species
rainbow-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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