Fishing
Fishing in the White River Valley
The upper White River Valley boasts some of the finest fishing waters in Colorado. Much of the best fishing is on private land, owned by people who invest in their stretch of the river to protect spawning beds and fish habitat. Some of these landowners also pay to stock the river with catchable fish. If you want to fish these protected waters, you’ll need permission, and you will have to pay something for the privilege.
Be careful to read all posted signs.
Good river fishing is available along the river in selected public access areas. Here are some of those areas, and how to get to them. Area Map
Water Temperature Monitor
A water temperature monitor at the White River above Coal Creek has been installed and will be great information for fishermen. The address is http://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/rt, then click on the “Colorado Statewide Water-Quality Table” link, the type in “09304200” at the top of the screen and you should be able to see it. The temp is both in Celsius and Fahrenheit.
Open fishing on the White River
Photo by Lee Raine
Meeker Town Park
People catch rainbow, brown and native cutthroat trout, and whitefish right in the Meeker town limits. The river is open to the public from the Circle Park bridge, at 4th and Water streets, downstream to the 10th street bridge.
Sleepy Cat Access
When you’ve driven 14.4 miles upriver, you will encounter the Sleepy Cat ponds. You may fish up the river from the ponds for almost two miles. At the upper end of this public access stretch, a path will lead you to the road. Or, you may drive 16.3 miles, walk the path to the river, and then fish down the river to the Sleepy Cat ponds.
Rio Blanco County Access
At 24.0 miles up the river, RBC 8 intersects with RBC 14. Turn right on RBC 14 and drive about a mile to the county campground. The river is open downstream through the county picnic area.
Lake Fishing
Photo by Lee Raine
Photo by Lee Raine
Lake Avery
Drive 18.1 miles upriver from the Scenic Byway start sign. Lake Avery will be on your left. If you see the large concrete spillway, you’ve gone past the Avery turnoff. You can’t see the lake itself from the road.
Meadow Lake
This mountain lake is accessible from late June until the snow flies. Drive about 18.5 miles to RBC 17 – the Buford New Castle Road – at Buford. If you pass the Buford store, you’ve gone just a little too far. Follow RBC 17 for 12.1 miles to the Hiner Springs turnoff. Turn left on the Forest Service Road 601, and follow it to the Meadow Lake turnoff.
Alpine fishing lakes. Photo courtesy of Ellen Robinson
Alpine fishing lakes. Photo courtesy of Ellen Robinson
Trappers Lake
Go 38.8 miles up the river to the Trappers Lake Road. Turn right, and drive until you reach Trappers Lake. You’ll know it when you see it! Note: the road dead ends at the campgrounds just beyond Trappers Lake Lodge.
Vaughn Lake
Just 53 miles up the river from the Scenic Byway entry sign, you’ll find Vaughn Lake.
There are many expert anglers in eastern Rio Blanco County, and they’ve figured out what works best for every stretch of the river and the lakes, and for each time of year. Your best bet for advice is to ask the resident experts who sell fishing supplies what’s working on the river and at the lakes. Experienced fishing guides are also available. For fly fishing enthusiasts, dark and light elk hair caddis, Renegade, black gnat, muskrat and Trapper Lake Special tend to work most of the time.
Also, remember there are many high alpine lakes accessible by foot and horseback.
Ask the United States Forest Service (970-878-4039), the Colorado Department of Wildlife (970-878-6090) or the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado (970-878-3800) for maps, directions, and regulations, or visit their web sites:
Bureau of Land Management, Colorado
