This is Artificial Lure bringing you your Colorado River fishing report for Sunday, May 11, 2025. We are in the prime of spring runoff season, and the water levels are up with current flows running high across most stretches, especially near Kremmling, where flows recently clocked in at around 886 cfs. The runoff brings big changes, but the fishing action has been holding surprisingly steady.

Weather for today is mild, with a mix of clouds and sunshine and afternoon highs in the upper 60s. Expect a light breeze developing by midday, which might put a bit of chop on still water stretches. Sunrise this morning was at 5:51 a.m., and sunset will be at 8:08 p.m., so you have a generous window for casting lines.

Fish activity is good right now, with both trout and catfish being caught along different stretches of the river. Anglers are reporting healthy numbers of brown trout in the upper reaches, particularly above Glenwood Springs and up toward Kremmling. Browns are taking well to large streamers and classic woolly buggers. In those faster runs and deeper holes, try drifting a dark olive or black bugger through slack water for your best shot at a lunker brown. Dry fly activity is picking up too, especially on warmer afternoons, so keep an eye out for hatches and be ready to switch to a dry-dropper setup.

Further downriver, in the slower waters and back bays near Grand Junction, catfish action is on the rise. Cut bait, chicken livers, and store-bought catfish nuggets are the top producers for channel cats, especially as evening approaches and the water warms a bit more. Reports from this week confirm several nice cats being landed on these baits, with the best success right before dusk.

As for hot spots, consider targeting:

- The soft edges and backwaters between Parshall and Kremmling for brown trout—mornings and evenings have been especially productive there.
- The lower Colorado near Fruita and into the Grand Junction stretch is lighting up for catfish, especially in deeper pockets and slack water away from heavy current.

If you are fly fishing, bigger flies are working better right now. Woolly buggers, sparkling streamers, and stonefly nymphs are all solid choices. Spin anglers are catching fish on larger spoons, small crankbaits, and classic Panther Martins in gold or black. For catfish, stick to strong-smelling bait and fish it near the bottom where the current slows.

With water clarity fluctuating due to runoff, focus on spots where visibility is at least a foot or two. If the water is real muddy after a rain, let it clear a bit before fishing.

No tidal shifts to worry about in this part of Colorado, so your fishing success today is all about the flows and the weather.

That’s your Colorado River fishing report for May 11. Tight lines, and don’t forget your net—these fish are feisty this time of year.