
North Platte River Fishing Regulations
Jackson County, Colorado · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
North Platte River is a river in Jackson County, Colorado. It has its own fishing regulations for 7 species, including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Golden Trout, set separately for 2 sections of the river. These rules replace Colorado's statewide limits on this water.
Map of North Platte River

Fish with special rules on North Platte River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
North Platte River limits by species (2026)
From the southern boundary of the Routt National Forest downstream to Wyoming (Northgate Canyon)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Always open |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open |
Within Brownlee II or Verner State Wildlife Areas
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Always open |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open | |
| – | 2 | Always open |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Colorado's statewide regulations.
Plan your North Platte River trip
North Platte River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on North Platte River?
7 species have rules specific to North Platte River: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Steelhead.
What is the brook trout limit on North Platte River?
No size limit is listed for Brook Trout on North Platte River (from the southern boundary of the Routt National Forest downstream to Wyoming (Northgate Canyon)), and the daily bag limit is 2. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
What is the brown trout limit on North Platte River?
No size limit is listed for Brown Trout on North Platte River (from the southern boundary of the Routt National Forest downstream to Wyoming (Northgate Canyon)), and the daily bag limit is 2. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on North Platte River?
No size limit is listed for Cutthroat Trout on North Platte River (from the southern boundary of the Routt National Forest downstream to Wyoming (Northgate Canyon)), and the daily bag limit is 2. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
Do Colorado statewide fishing rules apply on North Platte River?
Where North Platte 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
- Blue River · Grand, Summit
- Roaring Fork River
- Arkansas River · Chaffee , Lake , Fremont , Pueblo
- Animas River · La Plata
- Eagle River · Eagle
- Taylor River
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