Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park guide · 2 min read
Gold Medal Trout on the Gunnison
The Gunnison River flowing through the park carries two designations, Gold Medal Water and Wild Trout Water.
Colorado's wildlife commission gives Gold Medal status to streams and rivers that offer outstanding fishing for large trout, and only a small portion of the state's trout water earns it. Here the protected stretch starts 200 yards downstream of Crystal Dam and continues to the North Fork of the Gunnison River.
Special regulations keep that quality intact, so they are worth reading before you cast a line. Only artificial flies or lures may be used, and bait is not allowed. Every rainbow trout must be released, while brown trout may be kept within limits of four per day and eight in possession. A Colorado fishing license is required, and fishing is off limits within 200 yards below Crystal Dam. The same rules cover the river at East Portal inside Curecanti National Recreation Area.
The river is known for big rainbow and brown trout, but reaching the water takes some effort. The easiest route is East Portal Road, a steep road with grades around 15 percent and tight hairpin curves. East Portal sits within Curecanti National Recreation Area but can only be reached through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Allow extra time for the drive.
Some visitors see the river from a boat instead. An outfitted whitewater rafting trip through the Gunnison Gorge runs below the last dam on the river and shows the canyon's beauty from the water. Boaters traveling through the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness need to register, and the Bureau of Land Management can answer questions about the process.
The river helped shape this canyon over roughly two million years, working alongside other natural forces. From Gunnison Point, the water sits about 1,800 feet below the rim. Before you head out, review the fishing regulations so your day on the water stays within the rules.
