About This Route
Lee's Ferry, located just above Glen Canyon Dam in the upper Grand Canyon, offers world-class rainbow trout fishing accessible by car from Highway 89A. This premier spot draws anglers for its clear, cold waters teeming with trophy rainbows up to 20 inches. Obtain your Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) fishing license online or at nearby stores like Cliff Dwellers Lodge. Follow NPS regulations: daily bag limit of 4 trout statewide, but check for updates. Fish from shore in early mornings or evenings when trout rise; popular spots include the boat ramp area and below the bridge. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all line and hooks to protect native humpback chub.
Safety Considerations
The Colorado River here runs cold year-round from dam releases, risking hypothermia even in summer; water temperatures hover around 47 degrees Fahrenheit. Steep, slippery basalt banks pose fall hazards, especially when wading. Flash floods from monsoon storms in July-September can surge rapidly through Paria Canyon confluence; monitor National Weather Service forecasts for Marble Canyon. Dehydration and heat exhaustion strike fast in 100-degree-plus summers; elevation is 3,100 feet with intense UV exposure. Rattlesnakes and scorpions lurk in rocky shallows. Never fish alone; inform someone of your plans via the NPS app. Adhere to closed waters immediately below the dam.
Essential Gear
Pack a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD like the REI Co-op Traverse Jacket, worn at all times near water per NPS guidelines. Bring a collapsible 6-7 foot rod such as the Orvis Clearwater series, 4-6 pound test line, and small spinners or nymphs for trout. Include AZGFD license, polarized sunglasses (Smith Optics Guide's Choice), wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen (Neutrogena Ultra Sheer), 3 liters water per person, electrolyte tabs, first-aid kit with hook remover, and Garmin inReach satellite communicator for spotty cell service.