Today
80°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 mph · 24% precip
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Today’s verdict
Mostly Cloudy — a big 37°F swing through the day.
314 CFSFlow
65°F+1°Water temp314 CFS is on the low side for July — this stretch typically runs 613–1,190 CFS.
With flows lower than usual, wading is generally easier and more forgiving — but beds still shift and cold water saps strength fast, so read the water, stay within your limits, and check conditions on-site. You remain responsible for your own safety.
At 65°F, the water is in the prime range for trout — cold enough to fish and to handle fish safely.
Weather
81°FMostly Cloudy
Wind N 11 mph
Sunrise 6:02 AM · Sunset 8:25 PM
Observed (1 hour ago)
NWS / weather.gov · fetched 18:00
Today
80°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 mph · 24% precip
Tonight
48°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NNW 0 to 10 mph · 16% precip
Tomorrow
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 0 to 10 mph · 19% precip
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Size #14-16
Size #14-16
Size #18-22
Conditions are estimates from USGS data. Always assess on-site conditions and use your own judgment.
The gauge near the town of Gunnison reads the river as it runs through the upper valley — the freestone and tailwater-influenced water anglers wade and float for the river's wild brown trout. It carries both flow and water temperature, so the conditions reflect whether the river is running cold and clear enough to fish. The rugged Gunnison Gorge downcanyon is a wilder, separate float; this gauge speaks for the accessible water above it.
Location
© OpenStreetMap contributors · © Geoapify
Helpful Links
Colorado fishing resources
Other Colorado rivers with live conditions
The Gunnison offers several contrasting fisheries. The upper river near Gunnison is a high-elevation freestone with accessible runs and productive float water, while the lower river enters the remote Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge, where Gold Medal trout water flows through steep, rugged country. Brown and rainbow trout are the main species. The upper river generally fishes best from spring through fall, while lower-elevation reaches can provide a longer season. Snowmelt affects the upper system, but regulated lower reaches can remain productive around it. Major hatches include salmonflies, golden stones, yellow sallies, caddis, green drakes, PMDs and BWOs. Nymphing and dry-dropper fishing are reliable throughout the system, with strong dry-fly opportunities during stonefly, caddis and green-drake activity. Streamers are effective in deeper runs and for larger browns. Float fishing efficiently covers the upper and lower river, but access in the Black Canyon and Gorge can require demanding hikes, specialized rafting skills or a licensed guide. Anglers should confirm road, trail and seasonal-access conditions.
Size #14-16