Roaring Fork River Fishing Regulations
Colorado · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Roaring Fork River is a river, Colorado. It has its own fishing regulations for 7 species, including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Golden Trout, set separately for 3 sections of the river. These rules replace Colorado's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Roaring Fork River
Fish with special rules on Roaring Fork River
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Roaring Fork River limits by species (2026)
50 yards upstream and downstream from the confluences with Fourmile Creek and Threemile Creek
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Year-round |
| – | – | Mar 15 – May 31, Oct 1 – Nov 30 · Closed | |
 Brook Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Brown Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Cutthroat Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Golden Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Lake Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Rainbow Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Steelhead | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
Confluence with McFarlane Creek downstream to the upper Woody Creek bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesFly Fishing Only | – | – | Year-round |
| 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 |
Upper Woody Creek bridge downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River (excluding 50 yards upstream and downstream from the confluences with Fourmile Creek and Threemile Creek)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Year-round |
| Brook Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
| Brown Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
| Cutthroat Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
| Golden Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
| Lake Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
| Rainbow Trout | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
| Steelhead | 16" min | 2 | Year-round |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Colorado's statewide regulations.
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Roaring Fork River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Roaring Fork River?
7 species have rules specific to Roaring Fork River: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Steelhead.
What is the brook trout limit on Roaring Fork River?
Brook Trout must be at least 16" to keep on Roaring Fork River (50 yards upstream and downstream from the confluences with Fourmile Creek and Threemile Creek), and the daily bag limit is 2. Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the brown trout limit on Roaring Fork River?
Brown Trout must be at least 16" to keep on Roaring Fork River (50 yards upstream and downstream from the confluences with Fourmile Creek and Threemile Creek), and the daily bag limit is 2. Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Roaring Fork River?
Cutthroat Trout must be at least 16" to keep on Roaring Fork River (50 yards upstream and downstream from the confluences with Fourmile Creek and Threemile Creek), and the daily bag limit is 2. Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
Is Roaring Fork River catch and release?
Some rules on Roaring Fork 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 Roaring Fork River?
Where Roaring Fork 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
- Arkansas River · Chaffee , Lake , Fremont , Pueblo
- Animas River · La Plata
- Eagle River · Eagle
- Taylor River
- East River · Gunnison
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