With more than 200 rivers and streams in the state of Colorado, there is a variety of choices whether you are interested in such activities as fishing, kayaking, canoeing and whitewater rafting. Since Colorado has such diverse terrain, you may discover conditions ranging from calm to whitewater rapids on the same body of water. Depending on the time of year and what part of a river or stream is visited, you may find the same body of water also ranges from being narrow or wide to shallow or deep. The water in rivers and streams in Colorado is commonly ice-cold from melted snow in the high mountains, requiring you to wear a wetsuit.
Northwest Colorado
The Colorado River is known for being such a diverse body of water, ranging from flat water pools for fly fishing to treacherous Class VI rapids for canoeing, kayaking or rafting. A high-elevation river in northwest Colorado is the Yampa, where you will find whitewater rapids or areas for fishing northern pike, whitefish, cutthroat trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and brook tout in the ice-cold runoff water. The White and Fryingpan rivers are also known for similar outdoor recreational opportunities in northwest Colorado.
Southwest Colorado
Flowing to Grand Junction from Gunnison, the Gunnison River attracts canoeists with Class I and II rapids and fishermen to the Black Canyon. Whereas mining pollution has killed most aquatic life and discolored water on the Uncompahgre River, you can still take part in whitewater sports. With high altitudes, the Rio Grande River has a trout fishery and flat water for canoe or rafting trips in Southwest Colorado. Whether you would like to reel in a trophy fish or take a whitewater trip, the Animas River is a scenic body of water that flows through Durango with panoramic vistas.
Central Colorado
The Cache La Poudre River is generally a cold body of water in central Colorado, where you have consistent whitewater rapids that range from Class II to Class V. With a fishery and 10 miles of public access to fishing, the Blue River attracts avid fishermen and has two runs for whitewater recreation. In the high mountains, the Big Thompson River has a healthy fish population and whitewater sports when river levels are high enough. Saint Vrain Creek is a stream, where you can go trout fishing southeast of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Southeast Colorado
The Arkansas River has a long-standing reputation for the quality of fishing and is known nationally for being a river-rafting destination. Big Sandy Creek and the Purgatoire River are tributaries of the Arkansas River, where you also have fishing and whitewater recreational opportunities.
Northeast Colorado
With a large fishery, the South Platte River is well-stocked with fish. Another fishing area is the Arikaree River, where you will catch primarily native fish in this prairie stream. Since Northeast Colorado is prairie land, you do not have the same whitewater recreation as in other parts of the state.
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