The Dolores starts high on Lizard Head Pass and runs to McPhee Reservoir where it becomes a classic tail water fishery. The section above McPhee Reservoir is a typical high alpine freestone stream featuring rainbow trout, two campgrounds and lots of private land and water.

At McPhee Reservoir the river hooks to the northwest. The section below the earthen dam is pristine tail water for 11 miles to Bradford Bridge. This is the stretch most people refer to as the Dolores. Fly fishing the Dolores, especially during low water, can be very technical. Matching the hatch can be key. Fly patterns for tail waters and spring creeks seem to work best.

The Dolores has rainbow, brown, and cutthroat. The best fishing begins after runoff, around the middle of June in most years. The river fishes well with good insect activity into November. The first six miles of river are closed to auto traffic December 1 to April 1 providing elk a protected winter range.

The entire river is open year round. From McPhee Dam downstream to the Bradford Bridge use artificial flies and lures only.