Hunting & Fishing
HUNTING: Northwestern Colorado offers some of the best hunting areas in the State. Each year thousands of hunters come to Meeker in search of a trophy. Hunting opportunities in the area include; elk, deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, bear, and mountain lion.
FISHING: Heavy annual snowfall feeds the fresh mountain streams which run into the White River from high mountain lakes. The White River itself, considered to be one of the “best kept secrets” by many Colorado fishermen provides habitat to rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout, and whitefish.
Public Fishing Access to the White River:
Meeker City Park – Circle Park Bridge at 4th Street, downstream to the 10th Street Bridge.
Following mileages are from the intersection of County Rd 8 and Hwy 13
Meeker Pasture SWA – 2 miles east on County Rd 8; 1/4 mile of river access.
Wakara Ranch Access – 4.6 miles east on County Rd 8, turn west onto County Rd 4. Access is downstream from the bridge. Observe posted
fishing regulations / restrictions.
Sleepy Cat Ponds –14.5 miles east on County Rd 8. Pond fishing and upstream river access for 1.5 miles.
Sleepy Cat Easement – 16.5 miles east on County Rd 8. There is easement parking and a ladder to cross the fence. Fishing allowed on the North
side of the river via Sleepy Cat Property for 1.5 miles downstream to the ponds.
Lake Avery –18 miles east on County Rd 8, turn south onto County Rd 10. Public access to the White River begins, on both sides, upriver
at the bridge on County Rd 10.
Bel-Aire State Wildlife Area – 20.5 miles east on County Rd 8. Turn south on County Rd 17, Buford/New Castle Rd, for 1.5 miles. Turn at the signage
for the campground. Access to the South Fork of the White River.
South Fork – 20.5 miles east on County Rd 8. Turn south on County Rd 17 for approximately 2 miles, then turn east on County Rd 10.
Continue to the South Fork Campground and Trail Head.
MM 23.3 – Approximately 23.3 miles east on County Rd 8. Pull down into the picnic area, across from County Rd 52. Access to the North Fork of the White River is brushy.
Rio Blanco County Access –24.1 miles east on County Rd 8. Turn onto County Rd 14, cross the bridge to access the county campground and the
North Fork of the White River.
Mile Marker 30.5 –Access to the North Fork begins at the fence above the horse pasture of the Lost Creek Guard Station and goes
approximately 3 miles upstream to mm 33.6. Note: The bridge at the lower end of the pasture is not for public use.
Himes Peak Campground – 39 miles east on County Rd 8 to Forest Service Rd 205, Trapper’s Lake Rd, turn south. Travel 6 miles to the Himes Peak
Campground. All waters upstream from the Big Fish Trail Bridge and below the Himes Peak Campground are fishable.
Flat Tops Wilderness – Trappers Lake is the headwaters of the North Fork and also holds the largest concentration of Colorado River cutthroats. Refer to current fishing regulations regarding areas closed to fishing near and around Trapper’s Lake.
Find local outfitters & guides in our Chamber of Commerce Business Directory.
For more information, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website