Colorado
Fryingpan River near Ruedi
Current River Rating
Fair · 52
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?
Wait
Timing Outlook
This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 69 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.17 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 09080400 · 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.
Flow context
Current flow is at or below the historical upper wading reference.
Historical upper wading reference: 250 CFS
Activity: Wading · Source: 2015 RFC / Southwick economic study
This is historical, activity-specific flow context for wading. It does not determine the overall condition rating or trip recommendation, and it is not a safety determination.
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
59°F
Feels like
53°F
Wind
6 mph SE
Wind gust
6 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 59°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 6 AM
Clear
Temp 56°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 10 AM
Overcast
Temp 71°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 2 PM
Overcast
Temp 80°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 6 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 78°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 10 PM
Overcast
Temp 67°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 56°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 83°F / Low 58°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 17 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 54°F
Chance 26%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 21 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 51°F
Chance 11%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 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 Fryingpan River Gold Medal tailwater from Ruedi Dam to the Roaring Fork. USGS 09080400 remains the at-location station. Live 00010 is absent; thermal context remains the accepted river-trout air-derived path. Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. Private Flow Context is unchanged and not publicly activated.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Fryingpan 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 Fryingpan near Ruedi is a nationally important CPW Gold Medal tailwater. StrikeTracks keeps the existing Monitoring-Backed river-trout path and the private 2F wading constraint (250 CFS, ABOVE, WADING) without public Flow activation. This repair completes fishery, access, and regulation customer surfaces. 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 designates Fryingpan River from Ruedi Reservoir dam to the Roaring Fork as Gold Medal Water. Special regulations address brown trout and other trout separately.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
CPW Gold Medal designation and Fryingpan special regulations manage rainbow trout as a primary trout fishery in the Ruedi Dam tailwater reach.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Classic Ruedi Dam tailwater Gold Medal from the dam to the Roaring Fork, approximately 14 miles.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public Gold Medal fishing is documented by CPW. Confirm current Pitkin/Eagle county, USFS, and CPW postings.
Stocking information
Confirm current official CPW stocking. Existing species evidence from CPW Gold Medal / special regulations is preserved.
Official sources
From Ruedi Dam to the Roaring Fork: flies and lures only; trout except brown trout must be returned immediately. Private Flow Context remains productionApproved false.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Pitkin, 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
Pitkin
Management Category
Gold Medal tailwater
Regulation Scope
Fryingpan Gold Medal from Ruedi Dam to Roaring Fork
Regulation Summary
Gold Medal Fryingpan: flies and lures only; non-brown trout catch-and-release.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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