Is there fishing on the Colorado River? Will we have time to fish on our rafting trip? What do we do with the fish, if we catch any?
These are all valid questions to ask when planning a Grand Canyon rafting trip with Arizona River Runners. Yes, there is fishing on the Colorado River. Yes, you can fish on your rafting trip; and you eat the fish you catch! Our guides can do a fish fry like nobody’s business!
The National Parks Service requires you to have an Arizona State Fishing License, contact Arizona Game and Fish Department at http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/fishing.shtml for more information.
Fishing in the Canyon can be great, bring a collapsible fishing pole for easy storage. Among trout fishing circles it is widely known that some very good fishing is to be had in the Colorado River. You’ll be fishing from shore at camp in the evening or during the day when we’ve stopped for lunch or hiking. The Colorado River, Marble Canyon, and lower portions of Bright Angel Creek, Nankoweap Creek and Tapeats Creek and Lake Mead are good for fishing. Fishes native to the Canyon include Humpback Chub (a federally endangered species), Razorback Sucker (endangered), Flannelmouth Sucker, Bluehead Sucker, Colorado Squawfish, Bonytail (endangered), Roundtail Chub and Speckled Dace.
There are a number of species not native to the Grand Canyon. Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Common Carp, Channel Catfish, Red Shiner, Fathead Minnow, Mosquitofish, Striped Bass and Plains Killifish to name just a few. For bait, some people just use leftovers from breakfast or dinner! Insects, flies, minnows, and other bugs can be used too.
For additional information regarding fishing and fishing supplies on your Grand Canyon rafting trip, call Arizona River Runners at 800-477-7238, we will be happy to help you include a little fishing on your white water rafting trip with us!
