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Image of the Illinois River in Colorado
The Illinois River in Colorado. Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie

Illinois River – near Rand-Walden

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The Illinois River is about 71 miles long and a tributary of the Michigan River in north-central Colorado. The views around the river are picturesque, with portions of it flowing through the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge.

Illinois River Route

The Illinois River’s source lies in the Never Summer Mountains not far from the Continental Divide. It starts traveling northwest by Rand, then through the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge. It continues north until it meets with the Michigan River near Walden.

Image of the Illinois River in Colorado
Illinois River. Photo: Tom Wilberding

Activities on the Illinois River

The Illinois River has a handful of good fishing locations for mostly trout. Brown trout are easy to find along the river, as well as in a few of the creeks that segway off the main area.

This isn’t a difficult place to fish, and because it’s also rarely crowded makes it an ideal location for some people. During certain times of the year, fishing along the river, inside the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, is possible when it’s open to the public.

Image of the Illinois River in the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado
The Illinois River in the Arapaho NWR. Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie

Details

Passes through:

  • Rand
  • Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
  • Walden

Length: 71 miles

Tributary to: Michigan River

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