The South Platte River is one of the most productive rivers to fish in the entire United States. If you are in eastern Colorado, you don’t want to miss out on this absolute gem. In this article, we will go over the river system, recommended flies, a map of the river, nearby guides, regulations and more. You’ll have everything you need to get fly fishing on South Platte River. This river is heavily fished by other anglers, therefore you may come across some finicky fish, but there is a lot of them, and they tend to be of a rather large size.
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River Map | River System | Best Places to Fish | Rules & Regulations | Flies | Guides | Current Water Flows
River Map & Access
Below you will find all major points of South Platte River. Message us if you want more added! This doesn’t have the best fishing holes in it, just general points and public access. You’ll notice that the southern and western end of this map have way more points. That is because the river from Cheesman Canyon, through Deckers, and Waterton Canyon are by far the most popular fishing destinations. We have points taking you all the way to the North Platte River convergence in Wyoming.
The Gill trail goes along Cheesman Canyon which provides anglers great walking access to all of the best sections of the river. You can see the map below.
You’ll also see great access to the river in Deckers, and Waterton Canyon.
We also have a map here: Cheesman Canyon Fishing Map
The River System
The South Platte River flows 308 or so miles through Colorado and converges with the North Platte river after exiting in northeastern Colorado. The headwaters of the South Platte begins in Park County, where the South Fork and the Middle Fork of the South Platte converge near Fairplay. From here, the river flows southeast towards Spinney Mountain Park. The section between Spinney Mountain Park and Eleven Mile State Park is known as the dream stream.
After Eleven Mile Reservoir, the river flows through Eleven Mile canyon towards Lake George.
The river continues northeast towards Cheesman reservoir, into Cheesman canyon, and then into the town of Deckers.
Flowing northeast, the river goes through Waterton Canyon, and eventually straight through Denver, continues northeast, and has other rivers drain into it before they eventually exit Colorado and enter Wyoming.
What Fish Are In The South Platte River?
The South Platte River is known for the extremely well off population of brown and rainbow trout. With fish more than 20 inches, and tons between 14-20 inches, a lot of the fish are on the larger size. You may find the very occasional cutthroat in here as well. This is the case in just about every section of the South Platte.
Where the river flows through the hart of Denver, anglers can also find Carp. There are also reports of trout in these sections as well.
Best Places to Fish The South Platte River
This river has so many incredible sections. Each of these sections deserve their own complete guide, we will be adding them eventually! The most known and best sections are as follows:
The Dream Stream
As you can imagine, the dream stream has an incredible reputation. This section of the South Platte is between Spinney Reservoir and Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir. This is a 3.8 mile stretch of water with incredible fishing. The only downside is that it can be extremely busy with other anglers. This section of river contains lots of big fish, but are generally quite picky. It also can get windy and is susceptible to quickly changing weather. This is a bucket list section of stream for many anglers.
Read our full guide to fishing the dream stream here.
Dream Stream Rules And Regulations: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/SpinneyMountain/Pages/Fishing.aspx
Elevenmile Canyon
After the Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir lies the elevenmile canyon stretch of the South Platte. From the Dam to Springer Gulch Bridge is a fly fishing only section which studies suggest holds around 3,500 fish per mile in that 2 mile stretch of river. You’ll find lots of anglers in spring and early spring here.
Eleven Mile Canyon Stream Rules And Regulations: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/ElevenMile/Pages/Fishing.aspx
Cheesman Canyon
Cheesman canyon is known for big boulders, big fish, and picky fish. It is packed with anglers, but has incredible fishing. Check out our complete guide to fishing Cheesman Canyon.
Rules & Regulations: https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Fishery%20Survey%20Summaries/SouthPlatteRiverAtCheesmanCanyon.pdf
Deckers
The stretch of the South Platte through deckers is also very heavily fished. Here you will find a ton of easily accessible water filled with high volumes of fish, and the occasional very large fish. Some stretches of river are picky, while others are less picky. Tons of anglers here, but tons of water to fish. A top destination for many.
Rules & Regulations: https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Fishery%20Survey%20Summaries/SouthPlatteRiverAtDeckers.pdf
Waterton Canyon
Waterton Canyon is incredible because of the awesome access. Anglers can take bikes up the canyon or walk along a nice trail. You’ll encounter many other anglers and also just others enjoying time outside. The fishing is fantastic, the canyon is beautiful, the fish are plentiful, and the access can’t be beat.
Read Our Full Guide To Fly Fishing Waterton Canyon
You can fish more than these sections successfully, but we had to highlight the most popular areas for you. You can research each of these areas individually!
River Rules & Regulations
The sections of these rivers have different rules, so it is essential that you look up the rules for exactly where you are going. The above links for each main section should help you. In addition, you should check out the CO rules and regulations information.
Here is the CO fishing rules and regulations book: https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/fishing.pdf
Seasons
The South Platte is fishable year round. Each season is unique, but fish are possible year round, and anglers will be around at all times of the year. Spring and summer bring hatches that anglers flock to, while winter fishing has the crowds subside, yet big fish are still available.
Best Flies for The South Platte River
In all seasons for this river, you likely will want to go small, with small tippet. These are heavily fished, and picky fish.
Winter & Fall
Go small midges. Sized 18-22. RS2s (18-24), zebra midges, griffiths gnats, copper johns, and others. Emergers, ants & more.
Spring & Summer
The midges, RS2s and worms work year round. In the spring & summer, BWO emergers, stoneflies, small parachute adams, and other small dries that you may see hatching.
South Platte River Fishing Guides
If you are looking for a guide in the canyon, be sure to check out the following, or reach out to us.
Check out all of the South Platte River Fishing Guides in our adventure guide directory.
Current Waterflows For The South Platte River, CO
Waterflows vary substantially by area of the river due to dams. Here is the link to view all of the locations that have waterflow data: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/current/?type=flow
Current Weather
Here is the forecast for the deckers area. Keep in mind that the weather on the South Platte can be very different depending upon what part you will be fishing.
Westcreek, CO
Today
A chance of rain showers before 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 65, with temperatures falling to around 58 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. Low around 37, with temperatures rising to around 39 overnight. North northeast wind 3 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday
Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. High near 44, with temperatures falling to around 42 in the afternoon. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Saturday Night
Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind 6 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday
A chance of rain and snow showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. North northwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Directions & Parking
We can’t give directions to every parking spot, but our map highlights the river, meaning you can pinpoint your destination on Google Maps and get directions to that spot. We also highlighted major parking areas in some key sections.
South Platte River Fishing Photos
Fishing In Waterton Canyon, South Platte River
Fly Fishing South Platte Near Denver
Large Brown Trout From South Platte Near Deckers
Rams in Waterton Canyon
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about