White River Fishing Regulations
Colorado · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
White River is a river, Colorado. It has its own fishing regulations for 16 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 White River
Fish with special rules on White River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
White River limits by species (2026)
Craig to state line
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only | – | – | Year-round |
 Black Crappie | – | – | Year-round |
 Bluegill | – | – | Year-round |
 Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Channel Catfish | – | – | Year-round |
| Crappie | – | – | Year-round |
 Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Largemouth Bass | – | – | Year-round |
 Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Smallmouth Bass | – | – | Year-round |
 Steelhead | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Walleye | – | – | Year-round |
 White Crappie | – | – | Year-round |
 Yellow Perch | – | – | Year-round |
Meeker to Craig
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie | – | – | Year-round |
| Bluegill | – | – | Year-round |
| Brook Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Brown Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Channel Catfish | – | – | Year-round |
| Crappie | – | – | Year-round |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Golden Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Lake Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Largemouth Bass | – | – | Year-round |
| Rainbow Trout | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Smallmouth Bass | – | – | Year-round |
| Steelhead | – | 2 | Year-round |
| Walleye | – | – | Year-round |
| White Crappie | – | – | Year-round |
| Yellow Perch | – | – | Year-round |
Confluence of North and South Forks to Meeker
| 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 |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Colorado's statewide regulations.
Plan your White River trip
White River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on White River?
16 species have rules specific to White River: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, and Black Crappie, and 8 more.
What is the brook trout limit on White River?
Brook Trout are catch and release only on White River (craig to state line). Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the brown trout limit on White River?
Brown Trout are catch and release only on White River (craig to state line). Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on White River?
Cutthroat Trout are catch and release only on White River (craig to state line). Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
Is White River catch and release?
Some rules on White 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 White River?
Where White 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
- 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
- East River · Gunnison
Take White River rules on the water
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