Trout on the Fork average about 13 inches, and 16- to 17-inchers are common. Though there’s plenty of public access along the bank of the Fork, a float trip is your best bet. The Pan dumps into the Fork near Basalt. Because it’s a tailwater, trout here are typically larger.

Browns and ‘bows average about 16 inches, and 6- to 8-pound pigs are not uncommon.

You can’t do a Colorado trout forecast without hitting the mighty Colorado River. According to Rowell, it has also been in prime shape, and he reports that every year, the Colorado gives up some 10-pounders. This is big-water fishing at its finest. With ‘bows and browns averaging 12 to 14 inches throughout most of the river, you can’t go wrong spending some time here this year.

NORTHWEST
The Yampa River reigns supreme in the northwest, and if you get a chance to visit, you’ll see why. It provides two distinct sections for public-water anglers: the 6/10-mile stretch below Stagecoach Reservoir and the several miles that flow through Steamboat Springs.

The CDOW latest creel survey shows over 550 pounds of trout per acre below Stagecoach, with the average trout right at 2 pounds.

Given numbers like these, you can expect some excellent, hefty trout opportunities this year.

Trout are not in short supply as the river pours through Steamboat, said John Duty of Bucking Rainbow Outfitter. There are good numbers 16- to 18-inch trout in town, and 5-pounders often show themselves.

Just west of the Yampa is the Elk River. Though public opportunities are slim, it’s worth a look if you’re in the area. In its lower reaches, Duty says, 15-inch trout are common, with 10- to 12-inchers being the norm.

The Elk typically produces some excellent hatches and will be a great stop this season. The North Platte River begins its journey in Colorado before spilling into Wyoming. Before it reaches the Cowboy State, however, it offers excellent trout fishing. John Bonder of North Park Anglers said browns are the norm as it flows through Northgate Canyon. You could expect to catch numerous 15- to 17-inchers, with 20-plus-inch kings a real possibility. Because it’s out-of-the-way, it doesn’t get the pressure other rivers do. So expect to have many hookups if you venture into the North Park region this year.

Delaney Butte Lakes are the last in this forecast, but they should be among the first you visit this year. These three lakes, simply named North, South and East, provide stellar opportunities to catch eye-popping browns, brooks, ‘bows and Snake River cutts. To top it off, North Delaney has the Gold Medal stamp of approval.

Find more about Rocky Mountain fishing and hunting at RMgameandfish.com