Today
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph · 34% precip
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Today’s verdict
Clear — a big 34°F swing through the day.
219 CFS+98Flow
58°F+2°219 CFS is on the low side for September — this stretch typically runs 365–681 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 58°F, the water is in the prime range for trout — cold enough to fish and to handle fish safely.
Weather
64°FClear
Wind SE 5 mph
Sunrise 6:49 AM · Sunset 7:16 PM
Observed (1 hour ago)
NWS / weather.gov · fetched 13:01
Today
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph · 34% precip
Tonight
42°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 5 to 10 mph · 32% precip
Tomorrow
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 5 mph · 72% precip
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Size #14-18
Size #20-22
Size #18-22
Size #14-18
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.
76° / 42°WeatherSize #14-18
Size #20-22
Size #6-10
limited recent reports — best signal we have within 60 days