Gold Medal Waters

Description

Colorado Parks & Wildlife designates Gold Medal waters as elite trout fisheries with 60+ pounds of trout per acre and 12+ fish over 14 inches. These waters offer exceptional fly fishing opportunities.

The Gold Medal standard is strictly performance-based, relying on hard biological data regarding biomass and size structure rather than aesthetics or access alone. Currently, CPW designates approximately 322 to 362 miles of streams as Gold Medal, representing less than 5% of Colorado's 9,000+ miles of trout streams.

Criteria

• Biomass requirement: 60+ pounds of trout per acre.
• Size structure requirement: 12+ trout of 14 inches or longer per acre.

Both criteria must be met consistently over time.

FAQ

What makes a river a Gold Medal water?

Colorado Parks & Wildlife designates Gold Medal waters based on two key biological criteria that must be met consistently over time: the water must contain at least 60 pounds of trout per acre (biomass requirement) and have at least 12 fish over 14 inches per acre (size structure requirement). This ensures the designation is reserved for waters that are biologically productive enough to support high densities of large fish, not just overpopulated with stunted fish.

Are Gold Medal waters always wild trout fisheries?

Not necessarily. Gold Medal waters can be wild trout waters, but the designation is outcome-oriented. If a river can sustain the required biomass and size structure through natural reproduction, it's managed as a wild fishery. However, tailwaters like the Taylor River and Fryingpan River achieve these metrics partially through artificially stable flows and temperatures from bottom-release dams, which maximize macroinvertebrate production. Stocking of catchable trout is generally discouraged, but stocking of whirling-disease-resistant fry is common to maintain populations.

Are there special regulations for Gold Medal waters?

Many Gold Medal waters have special regulations including catch-and-release sections, artificial flies and lures only, and specific bag limits. Always check current regulations before fishing.

How much of Colorado's trout water is Gold Medal?

Currently, CPW designates approximately 322 to 362 miles of streams as Gold Medal, representing less than 5% of Colorado's 9,000+ miles of trout streams. This makes Gold Medal waters truly elite fisheries.