Blue River Fishing Regulations
Grand, Summit counties, Colorado · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Blue River is a river in Grand, Summit counties, Colorado. It has its own fishing regulations for 7 species, including Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Golden Trout, set separately for 4 sections of the river. These rules replace Colorado's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Blue River
Fish with special rules on Blue River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Blue River limits by species (2026)
Dillon Dam to north Silverthorne city limits
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Always open |
 Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Steelhead | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
North Silverthorne city limits to Colo. 9 bridge at Blue River SWA
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Always open |
| Brook Trout | 16" min | 2 | Always open |
| Brown Trout | 16" min | 2 | Always open |
| Cutthroat Trout | 16" min | 2 | Always open |
| Golden Trout | 16" min | 2 | Always open |
| Lake Trout | 16" min | 2 | Always open |
| Rainbow Trout | 16" min | 2 | Always open |
| Steelhead | 16" min | 2 | Always open |
Dillon Dam to Hamilton Creek (Gold Medal)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brook TroutDillon Dam to Hamilton Creek Road bridge (Gold Medal) · Fly/lure only (Coyne Valley to Dillon Reservoir section) · Brown trout over 14 inches must be released · Fishing prohibited Sept 15 - Dec 1 | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Brown TroutDillon Dam to Hamilton Creek Road bridge (Gold Medal) · Fly/lure only (Coyne Valley to Dillon Reservoir section) · Brown trout over 14 inches must be released · Fishing prohibited Sept 15 - Dec 1 | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Cutthroat TroutDillon Dam to Hamilton Creek Road bridge (Gold Medal) · Fly/lure only (Coyne Valley to Dillon Reservoir section) · Brown trout over 14 inches must be released · Fishing prohibited Sept 15 - Dec 1 | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Golden TroutDillon Dam to Hamilton Creek Road bridge (Gold Medal) · Fly/lure only (Coyne Valley to Dillon Reservoir section) · Brown trout over 14 inches must be released · Fishing prohibited Sept 15 - Dec 1 | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Lake TroutDillon Dam to Hamilton Creek Road bridge (Gold Medal) · Fly/lure only (Coyne Valley to Dillon Reservoir section) · Brown trout over 14 inches must be released · Fishing prohibited Sept 15 - Dec 1 | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Rainbow TroutDillon Dam to Hamilton Creek Road bridge (Gold Medal) · Fly/lure only (Coyne Valley to Dillon Reservoir section) · Brown trout over 14 inches must be released · Fishing prohibited Sept 15 - Dec 1 | – | 2 | Year-round |
| SteelheadDillon Dam to Hamilton Creek Road bridge (Gold Medal) · Fly/lure only (Coyne Valley to Dillon Reservoir section) · Brown trout over 14 inches must be released · Fishing prohibited Sept 15 - Dec 1 | – | 2 | Year-round |
Summit CR 3 to Dillon Reservoir
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Always open |
| – | – | Nov 15 – Dec 1 · Closed | |
| Brown Trout | 14" min | Catch & release only | Year-round |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Colorado's statewide regulations.
Plan your Blue River trip
Blue River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Blue River?
7 species have rules specific to Blue River: Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Steelhead.
What is the brown trout limit on Blue River?
Brown Trout are catch and release only on Blue River (dillon Dam to north Silverthorne city limits). Rules differ across 4 sections of the river.
What is the brook trout limit on Blue River?
Brook Trout are catch and release only on Blue River (dillon Dam to north Silverthorne city limits). Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Blue River?
Cutthroat Trout are catch and release only on Blue River (dillon Dam to north Silverthorne city limits). Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
Is Blue River catch and release?
Some rules on Blue River are catch and release only, covering Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, and Lake Trout and others. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Colorado statewide fishing rules apply on Blue River?
Where Blue River has its own rule for a species, that rule replaces the statewide limit. For species not listed on this page, Colorado's statewide regulations apply. Regulations are set by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife; confirm with the official 2026 regulations before keeping a fish.
Other Colorado waters with special regulations
- South Platte River
- Yampa River
- Colorado River
- White River
- Poudre River · Larimer
- Gunnison River
- Roaring Fork River
- Arkansas River · Chaffee , Lake , Fremont , Pueblo
- Animas River · La Plata
- Eagle River · Eagle
- Taylor River
- East River · Gunnison
Take Blue River rules on the water
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