Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Lakes ยท North Platte Basin
The Delaney Buttes Lakes, North, South and East, sit in the sagebrush west of Walden in North Park. They are some of the best trophy trout stillwaters in Colorado.
Looking for the latest Delaney Buttes Lakes 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 Delaney Buttes Lakes.
Water level
There is no public water level gauge for Delaney Buttes Lakes. Call the shop or the park for the latest.
Wind forecast
Delaney Buttes Lakes fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
North Park guides call the Delaney Buttes the best option right now. Fish are moving shallower as it gets colder.
Fish chironomids, eggs and leeches under an indicator in 4 to 10 feet of water. At first and last light, strip boatmen, crayfish or leech patterns.
The dam area is closed to fishing until November 15 after this fall's spawning work.
Stocking report
Recent trout stocking from Colorado Parks and Wildlife's weekly report.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Delaney Buttes Lakes, bring: Chironomid #14-18, Balanced Leech #10-12, Egg #14, Water Boatman #14, Woolly Bugger #6-10, Balanced Bou Leech #10-12, Slump Buster #6-8, Scud Bomb #12-16, Clouser Minnow #2-6, Pitching Leech #10.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Delaney Buttes Lakes lake details
| Access | Delaney Butte Lakes State Wildlife Area, west of Walden off County Road 18 and 5. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,100 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 177 miles, roughly 4 hours 41 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Ice-off in spring through fall, plus ice fishing |
| Fish | Big brown and rainbow trout, plus cutbows |
| Regulations | Special regulations on North and South Delaney. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 to 10 ft leaders, 4X to 5X fluorocarbon tippet |
| Ice fishing | Ice fishing in winter. Never go out on less than 4 inches of clear ice. |
| Camping | Primitive camping at the state wildlife area |
| Kids | Partly. Open banks, but often windy. |
| Good to know | North Park wind is constant. Bring a heavier rod and layers. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Ice fishing.
Spring
Ice-off is the best time of year.
Summer
Damsels, Callibaetis and scuds. Mornings best.
Fall
Big browns move shallow before ice.
How to get there
Take I-25 north to Fort Collins, Highway 14 over Cameron Pass to Walden, then go west on County Road 12W and 18 to the lakes.