Animas River
Colorado · Southwest Colorado
Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat Trout
Top Fishing Locations on Animas River
Silverton
The Animas River above and below Silverton is high alpine freestone water at over 9,000 feet elevation, home to wild cutthroat and brook trout in a spectacular San Juan Mountain setting. The upper Animas above Silverton offers remote backcountry fishing accessible by the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad — one of the most unique fishing access methods in the country. The river below Silverton runs through dramatic canyon terrain with pocket water and plunge pools holding wild fish. Note that the 2015 Gold King Mine spill affected this section — the river has recovered significantly but local conditions matter here.
💧 Ideal flow: 50–200 CFS. The Silverton section is small mountain stream character — best at low to moderate post-runoff flows from July through September.
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Animas Canyon
The Animas Canyon between Silverton and Durango is one of the most remote and dramatic trout fisheries in Colorado. Accessible primarily by the historic narrow gauge railroad, this wild stretch sees minimal pressure and holds large wild rainbow and brown trout in deep canyon pools. The Durango and Silverton train drops anglers at Tall Timber Resort and other canyon access points for a truly unique guided or solo fishing experience. The canyon character — steep walls, cold clear water, and abundant insect life — produces exceptional dry fly fishing through summer and fall.
💧 Ideal flow: 100–400 CFS. The Animas Canyon fishes best from late June through October when post-runoff clarity is excellent and flows are fishable.
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32nd Street Bridge
The 32nd Street Bridge marks the upper boundary of Durango's seven miles of public access on the Animas — some of the most accessible quality trout water in the Southwest. From here downstream through town, foot and bike trails parallel the river providing walk-in access to every run and pool. The upper town section above Lightner Creek allows four fish per day and offers excellent nymphing for rainbow and brown trout in classic freestone water. The river is wide here — nearly 100 feet in places — with deep holes, extensive riffles, and pocket water around large boulders demanding careful wading on extremely slick rocks.
💧 Ideal flow: 200–700 CFS. The town Animas fishes well across a wide range of flows. Spring runoff above 1,500 CFS makes wading dangerous. Best fishing is July through October at stable moderate flows.
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Gold Medal Section
The Animas River Gold Medal section runs from Lightner Creek confluence downstream to Rivera Crossing Bridge — Colorado's newest and one of its finest Gold Medal designations. This section is artificial flies and lures only with a two fish limit at 16 inches or longer, protecting trophy-class rainbow and brown trout that average 14 to 20 inches with fish exceeding 5 pounds caught regularly. The Gold Medal reach flows through the heart of Durango with easy access from riverside trails and the fish hatchery at 16th Street. Despite the urban setting, fish here are wild, selective, and hard-fighting.
💧 Ideal flow: 200–700 CFS. Same as the town section — the Gold Medal reach benefits from stable moderate flows with excellent clarity.
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Rivera Bridge
Rivera Crossing Bridge marks the southern boundary of Durango's public Gold Medal water and the beginning of the Southern Ute Tribal reservation. Just above the bridge is Dallabetta City Park — one of the most productive access points on the entire Animas. The deep pool above the bridge holds large brown trout year-round and produces exceptional streamer fishing in fall. Below the bridge, a separate Southern Ute fishing permit is required to access tribal waters — available at Duranglers fly shop in Durango — and provides access to some of the most remote and lightly pressured Animas water accessible by road.
💧 Ideal flow: 200–700 CFS. Rivera Bridge fishes best at moderate stable flows when the deep pools below the bridge are well-oxygenated and fish are active.
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About Animas River Fishing
The Animas River — El Rio de las Animas Perdidas, "The River of Lost Souls" in Spanish — is one of the last true free-flowing rivers in Colorado and arguably the most underrated Gold Medal fishery in the state. Running 126 miles from its headwaters in the San Juan Mountains through Silverton, into the dramatic Animas Canyon, through downtown Durango, and on into New Mexico where it joins the San Juan, the Animas offers an extraordinary diversity of trout fishing within a relatively compact geography.
Species and Water Character
Rainbow trout dominate the Animas accounting for roughly 70% of catches, with brown trout providing the trophy opportunity — browns exceeding 20 pounds have been recorded and fish in the 18 to 24 inch range are not unusual in the Gold Medal section. Cutthroat and brook trout appear in the upper canyon and headwater sections. The river is genuinely big water through Durango — nearly 100 feet wide with large boulders, deep holes, and slick cobbles that demand careful wading and a study of the river before wading out.
Best Times to Fish
The Animas fishes year-round with one significant exception — spring runoff from late April through May makes the river blown out and unfishable for most anglers. Late June through October is prime time as post-runoff clarity returns and prolific hatches of caddis, Blue-Winged Olives, and PMDs keep fish looking up. September and October bring exceptional streamer fishing as large browns become aggressive ahead of the spawn. Winter produces quality midge and BWO fishing on the Gold Medal section for those willing to brave the cold.
Gold Medal Regulations
The Gold Medal section from Lightner Creek to Rivera Bridge requires artificial flies and lures only with a two fish minimum 16 inch limit. The section from 32nd Street Bridge to Lightner Creek allows four fish per day. South of Rivera Bridge on the Southern Ute Reservation, a separate tribal fishing permit is required — available at Duranglers fly shop in Durango. Always verify current Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations before fishing as rules may be updated.