Right now
Live from USGS gauge 06719505 and National Weather Service.
What to tie on now
- Flies
- Zebra midge #20, small hare's ear, attractor dry in sun
- Rig
- Short leader, 5x, a single small nymph under a tiny indicator.
Best flow range here: about 20 to 100 cfs. The live flow above tells you where today sits.
Flies checked against local shop reports on Nov 15. Ask at the local fly shop for what hatched this morning. They know before we do.
- Water
- Freestone creek through Golden and Clear Creek Canyon (US-6)
- Drive from Denver
- About 20–30 minutes
- Access
- In-town trail in Golden; canyon pull-offs and Jefferson County parks
- Best for
- Quick sessions, beginners, numbers of small trout
- Season
- Best spring through fall; winter only midday
- Gauge
- USGS 06719505, Clear Creek at Golden
- Dogs
- Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail and in the parks
Where to park
Clear Creek Parking Lot (Golden)
- Free lot next to Vanover Park, the downstream end of the Golden Mile. Walk upstream along the creek trail.
- The small lot by the Lions Park ballfields is for ADA parking and drop-off only.
Clear Creek Canyon Park, Gateway Trailhead
- Right at the canyon mouth on US-6. Fills on weekends. Big Easy Trailhead about 9 miles up the canyon is the next good lot.
Lots, fees and hours change. Check posted signs when you arrive.
Overview
Clear Creek is the closest real trout water to Denver. It runs through downtown Golden on a walking trail, then up a canyon along US-6. Expect small, wild fish and easy access. It's a good place to learn or squeeze in an hour after work.
How big are the fish?
Most trout run 6–10 inches, with some 10–12 inch fish in the deeper canyon pools. Anything over 14 inches is rare. You come here for the numbers and the convenience, not the size.
Timing in winter
Clear Creek is a freestone, so it runs as cold as the weather. In winter it's near freezing at dawn, and the fish barely move until the sun is on the water, around 10. Fish from late morning to mid-afternoon. In town gets sun first; the canyon walls shade the water until later. Going farther upstream doesn't help in winter, because it's higher, colder and icier.
Where to start
- In Golden: walk the Clear Creek Trail and fish the slow pools above and below the bridges.
- In the canyon: the Jefferson County parks and pull-offs along US-6 give you deeper pools and fewer people. Start with the pools in full sun.
Simple rigs
A zebra midge (#20) under a small indicator, with a small hare's ear or San Juan worm on top. In summer, an attractor dry with a small nymph dropper.
A good first stream
Small fish, easy access and a walking path make Clear Creek a good place to learn: practice your drifts, mending and knots without a long drive. In summer, an attractor dry with a small nymph dropper is all you need.
Runoff and safety
In late spring and early summer, snowmelt turns Clear Creek big, fast and cold. Don't wade during runoff. Fish the edges or pick a tailwater instead. In winter, watch for ice along the banks.
Know before you go
- Check the live gauge the morning you go. A release change can turn a good day into a slow one.
- Read the exact stretch's rules in the CPW Fishing Atlas, since special regulations vary within a river.
- Carry a current Colorado fishing license. Annual licenses run April 1 through March 31.
- Check the road: COtrip for I-70, US-285 and US-24 in winter.
- Pack for the season: in cold months, gloves, hand warmers, a thermos and traction for icy banks.
Where to eat and gear up
Stops in Golden. Dog-friendly means leashed dogs on the patio; call to confirm, especially in winter.
| Stop | Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Table Mountain Grill & Cantina | Dogs welcome on patio | Enclosed, heated patio. Best cold-day pick |
| Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse | Dogs welcome on patio | Patio, BBQ, downtown |
| Bob's Atomic Burgers | Dogs welcome on patio | Sidewalk tables, quick |
| New Terrain Brewing | Dogs welcome on patio | Big patio, food trucks |
| Cannonball Creek Brewing | Dogs welcome on patio | Large patio |
| D'Deli | Dogs welcome on patio | Grab subs, picnic on the creek |
| Golden Mill | Food | Food hall, lots of options |
| Golden Fly Shop | Fly shop / tackle | Flies, licenses, Clear Creek report |
| Golden River Sports | Fly shop / tackle | Fly shop 2 blocks from the creek |
Questions anglers ask
- How big are the trout in Clear Creek?
- Mostly 6–10 inches, some 10–12 in canyon pools, and 14+ inches is rare.
- Is Clear Creek good to fish in winter?
- Only midday. It's a cold freestone, so fish from about 10 to 2:30, when the sun warms the water.
- Can I bring my dog to Clear Creek?
- Yes. Leashed dogs are welcome along the trail in Golden and in the canyon parks.
- When is the best time to fish Clear Creek?
- Late summer and fall, after runoff. In winter, only fish midday.
- Are there dog-friendly restaurants near Clear Creek (Golden)?
- Yes. In Golden, Table Mountain Grill & Cantina, Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse, Bob's Atomic Burgers welcome leashed dogs on their patios. Patios are seasonal, so call ahead in winter.
- Where can I buy flies or tackle near Clear Creek (Golden)?
- Golden Fly Shop is the closest shop. Flies, licenses, Clear Creek report.
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