Colorado River at Lees Ferry fishing forecast today

Colorado River at Lees Ferry fishing conditions overview

The current weather inputs produce a good weather-based Fishing Score. Local fish activity can still vary by species, depth, water temperature and recent weather. A conservative USGS river-flow check reduces the displayed current score by 0.2 points because flow is more than 30% from the seasonal median.

Best fishing time today: estimated windows

The first estimated window runs from 5:03 AM–7:18 AM, around sunrise at 5:48 AM. The second runs from 5:44 PM–7:59 PM, around sunset at 7:14 PM. Lower light can change visibility and fish positioning, but actual feeding periods vary by species, season and water conditions.

Colorado River at Lees Ferry fishing: structure, seasons and local conditions

Cold Colorado River tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam with long runs, current seams and trout habitat. That physical setting is the starting point for reading today's forecast, because pools, runs and current seams, together with current seams and slower-water edges can react differently to wind, light and changing water conditions. Colorado River at Lees Ferry has tailwater influence. Dam releases can change current speed, depth and water temperature independently of local air weather, which is why fresh flow data deserves more weight than a generic seasonal assumption.

In Arizona, spring warming, runoff or reservoir-level change can create fast transitions, while summer usually increases the importance of cooler water, depth and low-light periods. Fall cooling can reopen shallower habitat. For Rainbow trout and Brown trout, the exact timing is better judged from current weather and measured water conditions than from a fixed calendar date. Use the forecast to decide when wind, rain and cloud cover are manageable, then judge pools, runs and current seams, together with current seams and slower-water edges against the actual flow at the access point.

Common targets at Colorado River at Lees Ferry include Rainbow trout and Brown trout. They do not use depth, current and cover in exactly the same way, so the Fishing Score remains a conditions index rather than a species-specific bite prediction. This page also has a manually mapped USGS reference station, so fresh water temperature, flow or level can be shown when that station reports a supported sensor.

What to watch in today's conditions

Wind

Current wind is about 3 mph from E, with gusts near 7 mph. Crosswind and gusts can change boat control and presentation, while bends and protected banks may remain much calmer.

Barometric pressure

Barometric pressure is about 30.12 inHg. Pressure is one part of the Fishing Score and is read together with wind, cloud cover and precipitation.

Moon phase and light

The moon is currently in the Waxing Crescent phase with approximately 38% illumination. Lunar illumination has a smaller weight than the main weather factors.

Target species

Always verify current state fishing regulations, seasons, bag limits, licensing requirements and location-specific closures before fishing.

How this forecast is calculated

The Fishing Score starts with National Weather Service weather data: pressure 28%, wind 24%, cloud cover 18%, precipitation probability 18% and lunar illumination 12%. Missing weather factors are never treated as zero; partial weather results are pulled toward a neutral 5/10 according to the missing weight. On eligible river pages, a separate conservative USGS flow check can only reduce the current score when streamflow is unusually far from the long-term seasonal median or changing rapidly. It never increases the score.