Gunnison River Fishing Regulations
Colorado · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Gunnison River is a river, Colorado. It has its own fishing regulations for 14 species, including Rainbow Trout, Sockeye Salmon, Brown Trout, and Kokanee Salmon, set separately for 11 sections of the river. These rules replace Colorado's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Gunnison River
Fish with special rules on Gunnison River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Gunnison River limits by species (2026)
Confluence with Smith Fork to confluence with Colorado River
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
 Black CrappieNo bag limit | – | – | Year-round |
 BluegillNo bag limit | – | – | Year-round |
 Channel CatfishNo bag limit | – | – | Year-round |
| CrappieNo bag limit | – | – | Year-round |
 Largemouth BassNo bag limit | – | – | Year-round |
| Northern PikeminnowNo bag limit | – | – | Year-round |
 Smallmouth BassNo bag limit | – | – | Year-round |
 WalleyeNo bag limit | – | – | Year-round |
 White CrappieNo bag limit | – | – | Year-round |
 Yellow PerchNo bag limit | – | – | Year-round |
From the US50 bridge to the upper Red Bridge campground boundary
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only; Fly Fishing Only | – | – | Always open |
 Brown Trout | 16" min | 2 | Always open |
 Kokanee Salmon | – | – | Nov 1 – Dec 31, Aug 1 – Oct 31 · Closed |
 Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
Delta, Gunnison, Montrose — confluence of East and Taylor rivers to U.S. 50 bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Always open |
| Brown Trout | 16" min | 2 | Always open |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Always open |
200 yards downstream of Crystal Dam to Relief Ditch diversion
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Year-round |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
7 more sections of Gunnison River
Closure sign below Morrow Point Dam to Crystal Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
 Sockeye SalmonAllowed methods: snagging | – | – | Sep 1 – Dec 31 |
Closure signs below Blue Mesa Dam to Morrow Point Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sockeye SalmonAllowed methods: snagging | – | – | Sep 1 – Dec 31 |
Crystal Dam downstream for 200 yards
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
Delta, Gunnison, Montrose — Blue Mesa Dam downstream for 225 yards
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
Delta, Gunnison, Montrose — confluence of East and Taylor Rivers to standing water line of Blue Mesa Reservoir
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sockeye SalmonCommon name: kokanee · Snagging allowed | – | – | Nov 1 – Dec 31, Aug 1 – Oct 31 · Closed |
From the upper Red Bridge campground boundary to the Blue Mesa Reservoir Crested standing water line
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kokanee Salmon | – | – | Nov 1 – Dec 31, Aug 1 – Oct 31 · Closed |
Morrow Point Dam downstream for 130 yards
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Colorado's statewide regulations.
Plan your Gunnison River trip
Gunnison River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Gunnison River?
14 species have rules specific to Gunnison River: Rainbow Trout, Sockeye Salmon, Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Crappie, and 6 more.
What is the rainbow trout limit on Gunnison River?
Rainbow Trout are catch and release only on Gunnison River (from the US50 bridge to the upper Red Bridge campground boundary). Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the sockeye salmon limit on Gunnison River?
No size limit is listed for Sockeye Salmon on Gunnison River (closure sign below Morrow Point Dam to Crystal Dam). Season: Sep 1 – Dec 31. Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the brown trout limit on Gunnison River?
Brown Trout must be at least 16" to keep on Gunnison River (from the US50 bridge to the upper Red Bridge campground boundary), and the daily bag limit is 2. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
Is Gunnison River catch and release?
Some rules on Gunnison River are catch and release only, covering Rainbow Trout. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Colorado statewide fishing rules apply on Gunnison River?
Where Gunnison 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
- Blue River · Grand, Summit
- Roaring Fork River
- Arkansas River · Chaffee , Lake , Fremont , Pueblo
- Animas River · La Plata
- Eagle River · Eagle
- Taylor River
- East River · Gunnison
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