Colorado
North Platte River near Northgate
Location Snapshot
North Platte River near Northgate is an upper North Platte reach at the Colorado-Wyoming border flowing through open mountain-valley country. Brown and rainbow trout are the principal targets in this broad coldwater river.
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
- 50.6 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.38 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 10:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 06620000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
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
36°F
Feels like
28°F
Wind
7 mph SE
Wind gust
8 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:30 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
Tue 6 AM
Clear
Temp 36°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Tue 2 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Tue 6 PM
Overcast
Temp 54°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 40°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 59°F / Low 35°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 62°F / Low 36°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Drizzle
High 57°F / Low 42°F
Chance 50%
Precip 0.04 in
Max gust 24 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Drizzle
High 58°F / Low 41°F
Chance 50%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 35 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 North Platte River near Northgate.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at North Platte 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
- Unknown
- 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
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
Jackson, 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
Jackson
Management Category
Gold Medal trout river
Regulation Scope
North Platte Gold Medal at Northgate Canyon.
Regulation Summary
CPW Gold Medal North Platte from the Routt NF boundary to Wyoming (Northgate Canyon).
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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