| Signature water | Blue River (Gold Medal), Silverthorne |
|---|---|
| Species | Rainbow & brown trout |
| Season | Year-round on tailwaters; summer–fall classic |
| License | Colorado fishing license required (16+) |
| Best for | All levels — guided or DIY |
You don’t have to travel to fish famous water here — it runs right through town. The Blue River’s Gold Medal designation puts some of Colorado’s best trout fishing steps from the outlet mall in Silverthorne, and there’s plenty more within a short drive. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Gold Medal water: the Blue River
Below the Dillon Dam, the Blue River is a tailwater — cold, consistent flows that grow healthy, well-fed trout year-round. Its Gold Medal status is reserved for Colorado’s highest-quality trout streams, and it’s remarkably accessible, with public stretches right through Silverthorne.
Other waters nearby
Beyond the Blue, the Colorado River, Williams Fork, and the county’s high-country lakes and creeks offer everything from float trips to backcountry cutthroat. Dillon Reservoir itself holds trout and kokanee salmon.
Licenses & regulations
Everyone 16 and up needs a Colorado fishing license (buy online or at local shops). Watch for catch-and-release and fly/lure-only stretches — regulations vary by section, so check before you cast.
Book a guided trip
Local outfitters run half- and full-day guided wade and float trips with all gear included — the fastest way to get into fish, especially on your first visit. Direct booking links for guided trips and rentals are coming as we finalize our activity partners.
Gear & the altitude
Gear & the altitude
New to the sport? Start with a complete beginner fly-fishing kit.
Guides provide everything, but if you bring your own, pack layers for fast-changing mountain weather and sun protection from our altitude & sun kit. And as always up here, mind the altitude on your first day.
Fly fishing FAQ
Where is the best fly fishing near Breckenridge?
The Blue River is the headliner — it runs through Silverthorne below the Dillon Dam as designated Gold Medal water, some of Colorado’s finest trout fishing, right in town. The Colorado and Williams Fork rivers nearby add more.
What is Gold Medal water?
Gold Medal is Colorado’s top designation for trout streams — reserved for waters that produce high numbers of large trout. Only a small fraction of the state’s rivers qualify, and the Blue River through Silverthorne is one of them.
Do I need a license to fish in Colorado?
Yes — anyone 16 or older needs a valid Colorado fishing license, available online or from local shops. Some stretches are catch-and-release with fly/lure-only rules, so check the regulations for the water you’re fishing.
Is a fly-fishing guide worth it?
For your first time or a new river, absolutely — a guide provides gear, reads the water, and dramatically shortens the learning curve. Summit County has excellent outfitters running half- and full-day float and wade trips.
What is the best season for fly fishing in Summit County?
Tailwaters like the Blue River below Dillon Dam fish year-round, including winter. Summer and fall are the classic seasons; spring runoff can muddy freestone rivers, so tailwaters shine then too.
What fish will I catch?
Primarily rainbow and brown trout, with the occasional brook or cutthroat in the high country. The Blue River is known for healthy, well-fed trout thanks to its tailwater flows.
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