The Middle Fork of the South Platte River through Fairplay is generally a fast, braided riffle with little suitable trout habitat. During 2006 the Park County Land & Water Trust partnered with the Town of Fairplay to improve fish habitat along this section of the river. Improvements focused on establishing and maintaining a single channel, creating overflow side channels, adding new pool habitat, maximizing the length of low-gradient riffles, and creating overhead cover for trout.
This portion of the river has become a very popular public fishing area, above and below the Fairplay Beach Recreation Area (reservoir).