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Category
Fishing Information

Clear Creek

SOUTH PLATTE BASIN Fishing Report
Rating
3/5
Flow
57 cfs
Wind
4 mph
Temperature
33 °F
Low/High
33/58
Weather @SOUTH PLATTE BASIN - Updated March 28, 2024 - 4:05am by OpenWeather

Current River Flow Updates

Latest Update: 10/23/23

Flow is 59 CFS. Clear Creek is fishing well right now. Try a small hopper (#12-16) trailed by a small beadhead nymph such as a pheasant tail, zebra midge or perdigon in a #16-20. Dropping a techy fly off the back such as a WD-40 or RS2 can work very well. A double dry rig can be effective as well, flies such as elk hair caddis, parachute adams and griffiths gnats in a #14-18 have been effective.

Historical River Flow

River Information

Clear Creek has fishable water from Golden all the way to Loveland Ski Resort. Up high above Georgetown there is a good mix of species including some nice cutthroats. Fishing around Golden and the lower canyon is a great option for those who do not have much time to get out and fish and are looking to stay near Denver. In the lower stretches below Idaho Springs it is a mixed bag of Rainbows, Brook Trout, and Brown Trout. Average fish length here is somewhere in the 6-10" range with 14"+ being a large fish for the river. These fish are not too pressured and will willingly eat bushy dries throughout the warm months.

Seasonal Conditions

Clear Creek, for the most part, is fishable year round. Runoff definitely hits this river hard, making it an extremely popular place for whitewater rafting. If you plan to fish Clear Creek from late Spring through mid-Summer, plan on seeing countless whitewater rafts throughout the day. Additionally, due to the fact that it parallels I-70, silence will not be a companion of yours throughout the day. The good news is the fish are there and getting a handful (or several handfuls) in your net throughout the day is typically a very doable task.

Additional River Information

Clear Creek at Golden

SOUTH PLATTE BASIN River Gauge View Detailed Information

  • Flow 57 cfs
  • Wind 4 mph
  • Temp 33 °F
  • High/Low 33/58

Clear Creek near Downieville

SOUTH PLATTE BASIN River Gauge View Detailed Information

  • Flow 25 cfs
  • Wind 31 mph
  • Temp 24 °F
  • High/Low 18/43

River access

Clear Creek offers anglers and abundance of public access. The stretch of river along I-70 is certainly the most popular. Here is a list of a few fish filled and easy to find places:

Junction of I-70 and Hwy 6. (Park across from the Restaurant.) Public access is allowed up to Hidden Valley at Exit 243. Additinal parking is also available on south side of I-70 at Exit 243.

Clear Creek Canyon – Junction of Hwy 6 and Hwy 119. Park along Hwy 6 and fish upstream. Approximately 3 miles of public access exist here.

Bakerville Loveland Trail – Take exit 221 off of I-70. Public fishing access is availble headed west for 5 miles from Exit 221 to the Loveland Ski Area at exit 216.

Courtney Riley Cooper Park – Take Exit 241 from I-70 into Idaho Springs. This park is located across from the Safeway and Visitor Center. Grills, picnic tables, restrooms and a wheel chari accessible fishing pier are available here.

Clear Creek Ranger District Office – Take Exit 240 from I-70 in Idaho Springs. Head south on Hwy 103 approximately one block to the U.S. Forest Service Ranger Office. Public parking is available here and you are able fish up or down stream.

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