Gunnison River, Lake Fork Fishing Regulations
Gunnison, Hinsdale counties, Colorado · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Gunnison River, Lake Fork is a river in Gunnison, Hinsdale counties, Colorado. It has its own fishing regulations for 8 species, including Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Brook Trout, set separately for 6 sections of the river. These rules replace Colorado's statewide limits on this water.
Fish with special rules on Gunnison River, Lake Fork
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Gunnison River, Lake Fork limits by species (2026)
BLM boundary below The Gate campground to confluence with Cherry Creek
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
 Brook Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
 Brown Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
 Cutthroat Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
 Golden Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
 Lake Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
 Rainbow Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
 Steelhead | – | 2 | Year-round |
Confluence with Cherry Creek to upper Red Bridge campground boundary
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Year-round |
| Brown Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
Confluence with High Bridge Gulch to BLM boundary below The Gate campground
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Year-round |
| Brown Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
Headwaters to waterfall at Sherman
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Year-round |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
2 more sections of Gunnison River, Lake Fork
First bridge crossing above Lake San Cristobal to Lake San Cristobal
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesFly Fishing Only | – | – | Year-round |
Upper Red Bridge campground boundary to Blue Mesa Reservoir
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
 Sockeye SalmonAllowed methods: snagging | – | – | Sep 1 – Dec 31 |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Colorado's statewide regulations.
Plan your Gunnison River, Lake Fork trip
Gunnison River, Lake Fork fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Gunnison River, Lake Fork?
8 species have rules specific to Gunnison River, Lake Fork: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Sockeye Salmon, and Steelhead.
What is the brown trout limit on Gunnison River, Lake Fork?
No size limit is listed for Brown Trout on Gunnison River, Lake Fork (bLM boundary below The Gate campground to confluence with Cherry Creek), and the daily bag limit is 2. Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the rainbow trout limit on Gunnison River, Lake Fork?
No size limit is listed for Rainbow Trout on Gunnison River, Lake Fork (bLM boundary below The Gate campground to confluence with Cherry Creek), and the daily bag limit is 2. Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Gunnison River, Lake Fork?
No size limit is listed for Cutthroat Trout on Gunnison River, Lake Fork (bLM boundary below The Gate campground to confluence with Cherry Creek), and the daily bag limit is 2. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
Is Gunnison River, Lake Fork catch and release?
Some rules on Gunnison River, Lake Fork are catch and release only, covering Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Colorado statewide fishing rules apply on Gunnison River, Lake Fork?
Where Gunnison River, Lake Fork 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
- Blue River · Grand, Summit
- Roaring Fork River
- Arkansas River · Chaffee , Lake , Fremont , Pueblo
- Animas River · La Plata
- Eagle River · Eagle
- Taylor River
Take Gunnison River, Lake Fork rules on the water
Identify your catch, check if it's a keeper, and log it. CatchVault is on iOS, with Android on the way.