Colorado River — Lees Ferry, Arizona
Glen Canyon Tailwater — World-class rainbow trout in the heart of the desert
Lees Ferry is one of the most unusual and extraordinary trout fisheries in North America. Located 15 miles below Glen Canyon Dam in the Arizona canyon country, this 15-mile reach of the Colorado River holds enormous rainbow trout in desert landscape that looks nothing like traditional trout habitat. Red canyon walls, blue water, and fish that average 16–18 inches make this a bucket-list destination.
The fishery exists entirely because of the dam. Glen Canyon Dam releases cold, clear water from the bottom of Lake Powell year-round — typically around 47–50°F — creating ideal habitat for trout in a climate that would otherwise support only warmwater species. The river runs wide, fast, and powerful through open canyon, demanding strong wading technique and long casts.
Lees Ferry is fundamentally a midge and Blue-Winged Olive fishery. Unlike freestone rivers with diverse insect life, the tailwater environment below Glen Canyon Dam is dominated by midges (Chironomidae) that hatch year-round in extraordinary numbers. The BWO hatch is exceptional from October through May, creating the best dry fly opportunities on an otherwise subsurface fishery.
Access to Lees Ferry is via the paved road from the Navajo Bridge on US-89A. The 15-mile reach is managed entirely by Arizona Game and Fish and requires a valid Arizona fishing license. Walk-wade fishing access is excellent throughout the open canyon reach.
Lees Ferry Launch Ramp
Primary access point. Paved parking and boat ramp. Walk upstream or downstream from the ramp for wade fishing. Most pressure within 2 miles of ramp.
Spencer Trail Access
Historic trail provides access to upper sections. Longer walk rewards with less pressure. 4WD not required — paved road to trailhead.
Cathedral Wash
Lower access point at the bottom of the fishable reach. Walk up from Cathedral Wash for the least-pressured water. Shorter day required.
Rainbow Trout
The only trout species in significant numbers. Fish averaging 16–20 inches with exceptional specimens over 24 inches caught regularly. Fed almost exclusively on midges and scuds. Extremely strong fish in the fast Colorado current.
Brown Trout
Present in small numbers. Larger on average than rainbows. More commonly encountered in slower eddy water. Subsurface fishing with scud and sowbug patterns most effective.
Lees Ferry fish are educated. Use the smallest midge patterns in your box first — size 24 and 26 hooks outfish size 20s by a wide margin in clear water.
The best dry fly fishing occurs October through May during BWO hatches. Look for surface feeding during overcast conditions, 10am–2pm.
San Juan Worms and egg patterns are consistently the most productive subsurface patterns — don't ignore them in favor of 'prettier' flies.
The current is genuinely powerful — use tungsten bead nymphs to get down quickly. Strike indicators require adjustment throughout the drift.