The Arkansas River fishery has received Gold Medal status for the 102 mile stretch from the Lake Fork confluence to Parkdale. In order to receive the listing, a body of water must consistently support a minimum trout standing stock of 60 pounds per acre, and consistently support an average of at least 12 quality trout (larger than 14 inches) per acre. The upper Arkansas has met the criteria for several years now, joining other famous Colorado trout fisheries such as the Fryingpan River, Gunnison River and select sections of the South Platte. Colorado has 322 total miles of Gold Medal waters giving the Arkansas almost 1/3 of the total! It is quite a thrill to have this world class fishery existing on the same river that is the number one rafted river in America!
