The Gunnison River through Black Canyon has special fishing rules

Fishing rules in Colorado are not one statewide rulebook. They change by water, and the Gunnison River through Black Canyon is a clear example.

This stretch of the river carries Gold Medal Water and Wild Trout Water designations. Gold Medal is a label Colorado Parks and Wildlife gives to waters with strong potential for large, healthy trout, and with it come stricter rules meant to keep the fishery that way. Note the boundary at the top: fishing is prohibited within the first 200 yards downstream of Crystal Dam, so the special- regulation water effectively begins below that closure. On this water you may use only artificial flies or lures — no bait. All rainbow trout caught here must be released. A Colorado fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older.

There is also the matter of getting there. Reaching the river at the bottom of Black Canyon means a steep, demanding hike, not a stroll, so many people fish the river in easier-to-reach sections instead.

Why this matters: special-regulation water is the kind of place where the wrong tackle or a kept rainbow is a real violation, even if you did not know. Always read the rules for the exact section you plan to fish.

Confirm current rules, closures, and boundaries with the National Park Service’s Black Canyon fishing page and Colorado Parks and Wildlife before you cast.