Colorado
Fryingpan River near Ruedi
Location Snapshot
Fryingpan River below Ruedi Reservoir is a Colorado Gold Medal tailwater with a wild trout fishery. The principal supported targets are brown trout and rainbow trout, with a focused coldwater tailwater community providing additional species variety within the same fishery.
Current River Rating
Fair · 56
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
- 45.5 CFS
- Gage Height
- 0.97 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 11:15 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
44°F
Feels like
37°F
Wind
7 mph SE
Wind gust
7 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.03 in
Last 48 hours
0.03 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 6 AM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 52°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Tue 2 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Tue 6 PM
Clear
Temp 56°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 47°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 2 AM
Overcast
Temp 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Mostly clear
High 60°F / Low 42°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Drizzle
High 64°F / Low 46°F
Chance 55%
Precip 0.04 in
Max gust 16 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Showers
High 52°F / Low 46°F
Chance 81%
Precip 0.64 in
Max gust 13 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Drizzle
High 58°F / Low 40°F
Chance 81%
Precip 0.04 in
Max gust 25 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
Wild brown and rainbow trout are in the Fryingpan River near Ruedi.
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
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Official sources
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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