Rifle Gap Fishing Report, Week of September 28, 2026

This is a dated note, not today's gage and not a bite forecast. The homepage water list is the later reading. Use this page for the bank, the access, and the safety. Weather lines in it are that week's weather.

The lasting lesson for this lake, including the Oct 7 morning reading, is Rifle Gap: the fish, the wildlife, and a safe day. The lines below are the week of September 28 note. They are not today's elevation.

Education note for this lake: Rifle Gap: the fish, the wildlife, and a safe day. Later notes continue that page.

Rifle Gap Reservoir, week of September 28

A little water came back this week, but it does not change the plan. The ramp is closed for the rest of 2026, so this is a shore and hand-launch reservoir.

Conditions

• Level: USGS 09091900, Rifle Gap Reservoir near Rifle, read 5,909.82 feet and 1,668 acre-feet at 11 a.m. MDT on Sept. 29. Provisional.
• Ramp: CPW says the boat ramp is closed for the remainder of 2026 due to low water. Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards can still launch.
• Stocking: Rifle Gap is not on the current CPW trout stocking report. Nearby Harvey Gap and Rifle Pond South were added Sept. 18.
• Weather: NWS Grand Junction has highs of 71 to 78 through Friday, lows in the 40s, light winds, and a slight chance of thunderstorms Wednesday.
• CPW reports: No new CPW fishing report for Rifle Gap this week.

How to fish it

Rifle Gap holds trout and warmwater fish. As the water cools into October, trout typically cruise closer to shore, especially early and late. Cover points and drop-offs from the bank with spinners, spoons, or a small jig. On calm days a kayak lets you reach structure off the long exposed flats.

Access

Ramp gates are locked. CPW warns that hand-launch users have to walk a long way across exposed lakebed, and that mud can make access unsafe and lead to temporary closures. Stay on firm ground and keep boats Clean, Drain, Dry.

Safety

Colorado law requires a Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person on any vessel, including kayaks and paddleboards. Kids 12 and under must wear one. CPW also notes emergency response can be slower with the ramp closed. See our Colorado safety page and the cold-water checklist.

Regs

Check CPW fishing regulations and Colorado eRegulations for the exact water you plan to fish. We do not print bag limits.

Plan it

Last report: Rifle Gap, week of Sept. 20. Background: Rifle Gap day-trip prep. Build the day in Trip Builder.

Sources for this post