Colorado Fishing Reports ยท North Platte Basin
Around Walden in North Park, the Michigan River winds through open sagebrush and meadows, with big browns in its deep bends and state wildlife areas to fish.
Looking for the latest Michigan River Walden 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 Michigan River โ Walden.
Current flows
There is no live gauge on this stretch. Check nearby gauges on the Colorado fishing reports page, or call the shop for the latest.
Wind forecast
Walden fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
There is no live gauge on this stretch. It is cold and low in North Park, and the water is starting to freeze.
On sunny afternoons, try a small streamer in the deep bends. The season here is nearly over.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Walden, bring: Woolly Bugger #6-8, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Hopper #10-12, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Walden river details
| Access | State wildlife areas around Walden. Much of the river is private. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,100 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 178 miles, roughly 3 hours 55 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Summer and fall |
| Fish | Brown trout and some rainbows |
| Regulations | State wildlife area rules apply. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 5X tippet |
| Camping | State Forest State Park and Lake John area |
| Kids | Partly. Open, easy banks, but often windy. |
| Good to know | Very windy. Bring a heavier rod. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Frozen.
Spring
Runoff.
Summer
Hoppers and big browns.
Fall
Browns.
How to get there
Take I-25 north to Fort Collins, then Highway 14 over Cameron Pass to Walden.