Arizona Fishing Reports ยท Northern Region
Lees Ferry is the 15-mile Colorado River tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam, with wild rainbows in cold, clear water at the head of the Grand Canyon.
Looking for the latest Lees Ferry river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Lees Ferry (Colorado River).
Current flows
Wind forecast
Lees Ferry fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Releases from Glen Canyon Dam change through the day. The live gauge shows the current flow.
Nymph midges and scuds on the gravel bars, and walk-in anglers can fish the riffle above the boat ramp.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Lees Ferry, bring: Zebra Midge #18-22, Kaufmann', s Scud #14-18, San Juan Worm #12-14, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18, Parachute Adams #18-20, Woolly Bugger #6-8, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Lees Ferry details
| Access | Walk-in fishing near the Lees Ferry boat ramp, or run upriver by boat toward the dam. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 3,100 ft |
| Nearest town | Marble Canyon, Arizona |
| Best season | Year-round |
| Fish | Wild rainbow trout, some brown trout |
| Regulations | Special trout rules apply at Lees Ferry. Check the Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations before you go. An Arizona fishing license is required for anglers 10 and older. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 5X to 6X tippet |
| Camping | Lees Ferry Campground (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) |
| Kids | Partly. Easy walk-in access near the ramp. |
| Good to know | Flows change daily with dam releases. Check the release schedule before you wade. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Midges and spawning rainbows on the bars (avoid stepping on redds).
Spring
Midges and scuds.
Summer
Cicadas some years, plus midges.
Fall
Midges and scuds on lower flows.
How to get there
From Flagstaff, take US-89 north and US-89A west to Marble Canyon and the Lees Ferry road.