Colorado
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
Location Snapshot
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs is the lower Gold Medal reach approaching its confluence with the Colorado River, with a large fast channel and varied structure. Brown and rainbow trout are the principal targets in this productive western Colorado fishery.
Current River Rating
Fair · 61
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
Tuesday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
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
- 480 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.73 ft
- Water Temperature
- 51.1 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 10:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 09085000 · 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
44°F
Feels like
40°F
Wind
5 mph SE
Wind gust
5 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 44°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 2 PM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Tue 6 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 63°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Wed 2 AM
Overcast
Temp 51°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 67°F / Low 44°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 70°F / Low 48°F
Chance 70%
Precip 0.04 in
Max gust 16 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Showers
High 57°F / Low 51°F
Chance 84%
Precip 0.55 in
Max gust 7 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Drizzle
High 63°F / Low 46°F
Chance 83%
Precip 0.06 in
Max gust 30 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 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Roaring Fork 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
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Garfield, 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
Garfield
Management Category
Gold Medal trout river
Regulation Scope
Lower Roaring Fork Gold Medal at Glenwood Springs.
Regulation Summary
CPW Gold Medal Roaring Fork from the Fryingpan River to the Colorado River.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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