Gunnison River

The Gunnison runs about 180 miles from the confluence of the East and Taylor rivers near Almont, through three reservoirs of the Aspinall Unit (Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, Crystal), through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, into the Gunnison Gorge wilderness, and on to its confluence with the Colorado River at Grand Junction. The famous fishing reputation rests on the Gunnison Gorge — 14 miles of wilderness canyon downstream of the Crystal Dam tailwater (below the Gunnison Tunnel diversion). The Gorge holds the densest population of large wild trout in Colorado: average fish 14-18 inches with regular trophies to 24+.

The Gorge is access-restricted by terrain. The standard approach is to backpack or pack-in via mule on the Chukar Trail (1 mi from the trailhead down to the river at the top of the Gorge), then float through to Pleasure Park 14 miles downstream — a multi-day trip in summer. Many anglers book a guided pack-trip with the local outfitters. The river above the Gorge through the National Park is largely inaccessible. Above Blue Mesa the East River and Taylor River systems offer accessible fly fishing — those waters are not covered on this page. Below the Gorge the river opens through Pleasure Park, Delta, and Whitewater — broader, warmer water with good drift-boat hopper-dropper fishing and a different mix of trout and warmwater species.

The Gorge fishes from clear-up in late June through October. Crystal Dam releases moderate runoff but the Gorge can blow out in heavy snowmelt years through mid-June. Signature hatches: stoneflies (Pteronarcys and Pteronarcella) in late June into early July are the West's least-talked-about salmon fly hatch — heavy bug, big fish, very few crowds. Caddis carry through summer; PMDs in July; tricos in August. Cicadas hatch about every 17 years and produce extraordinary surface fishing. Hopper-dropper fishing through August-September is the staple. Streamer fishing for pre-spawn browns in October-November.

Gunnison is the headwater town with shops and outfitters (Three Rivers Resort at Almont, Gunnison River Pleasure Park at the Gorge outlet). Drive times: 4 hr from Denver to Gunnison, 1.5 hr from Montrose to Pleasure Park, 2 hr from Grand Junction to Delta. Elevation 4,800 ft (Grand Junction) to 7,700 ft (Gunnison). The Gorge is hot and dry in summer (highs near 100 F at river level) — early starts and afternoon shade are non-negotiable.