FishCondishLees Ferry, AZ Fishing Report & Live Conditions
Lees Ferry, AZ fishing report
Lees Ferry is one of the country's premier tailwater fisheries, and rainbow trout are essentially the only game in town — which is a good thing, because they run big and numerous in this cold, clear stretch of the Colorado. Glen Canyon Dam regulates both temperature and flow, keeping water consistently cold year-round and making trout behavior more predictable than most freestone rivers. Spring and fall tend to produce the most aggressive feeding, while summer midday heat pushes fish deeper and into faster, oxygenated riffles. Winter fishing can be exceptional when flows are stable and midges hatch on calm, sunny afternoons.
These trout hold tight to seams between fast and slow water, along undercut canyon walls, and in the slower current behind mid-channel boulders. Midges are the bread-and-butter pattern here — small midge larvae and pupa imitations in size 20 to 24 fished under an indicator cover most situations. San Juan Worms and eggs draw strikes when flows fluctuate and fish key on dislodged food. Watch your water temperature closely; flows from the dam can spike unexpectedly, scattering fish and requiring you to slow down and work deeper slots until trout resettle into feeding lies.
Lees Ferry, AZ river flow
The closest active USGS gauge to Lees Ferry, AZ is COLORADO RIVER AT LEES FERRY, AZ (site 09380000), about 0 miles away. It drains roughly 111,800 square miles. Flow is the single best predictor of where fish sit in moving water, so it is worth knowing what normal looks like before you read today's number.
In July, this gauge typically runs about 15,000 cfs.
| Month | Median flow |
|---|---|
| Jan | 10,200 cfs |
| Feb | 9,570 cfs |
| Mar | 9,770 cfs |
| Apr | 11,650 cfs |
| May | 16,200 cfs |
| Jun | 17,350 cfs |
| Jul | 15,000 cfs |
| Aug | 13,400 cfs |
| Sep | 9,770 cfs |
| Oct | 8,430 cfs |
| Nov | 8,555 cfs |
| Dec | 9,320 cfs |
Median flow from the USGS daily-statistics record. For the live flow, gage height, water temperature, and today's fishing score, open the Lees Ferry, AZ dashboard.
What's biting near Lees Ferry, AZ
The species most likely to be feeding the Colorado River below Glen Canyon: rainbow trout. FishCondish grades every hour of the day for Lees Ferry, AZ and gives each species its own bite forecast, so you can see which window is worth fishing before you load the truck.
Lees Ferry, AZ fishing FAQ
What fish can you catch at Lees Ferry, AZ?
The species bite forecast for Lees Ferry, AZ covers what's likely feeding there, including rainbow trout — and updates with the live conditions.
What's the best time of day to fish Lees Ferry, AZ?
Dawn and dusk are usually the most productive windows on the Colorado River below Glen Canyon, particularly when the barometric pressure is steady or falling. FishCondish grades every hour of the day so you can pick the best one.
When is the best season to fish Lees Ferry, AZ?
Spring and fall are typically strongest on the Colorado River below Glen Canyon as water temperatures sit in the productive range, with summer fishing best early and late in the day. It varies year to year, so check the live conditions before you head out.
How do I know if it's a good day to fish Lees Ferry, AZ?
FishCondish combines wind, water level, water temperature, pressure trend, and moon phase into a single 1–10 fishing score for Lees Ferry, AZ, updated in real time — a quick go/no-go read before you make the trip.
Fishing tips for Lees Ferry, AZ
New to these waters? Start with these beginner-friendly guides: