Colorado is trout country. The Rocky Mountain headwaters feed some of the most famous fly fishing rivers in the world - the South Platte, the Frying Pan, the Gunnison, and the Colorado itself. Gold Medal waters, a designation given to only the best trout streams in the state, produce fish over 14 inches at a rate that would make most states jealous. But Colorado isn't all trout. The eastern plains reservoirs grow trophy walleye, wiper (hybrid striped bass), and catfish in warm, nutrient-rich water that looks nothing like the mountain streams. With 2,000+ lakes and 9,000 miles of fishable streams, Colorado earns its reputation as one of the best fishing states in the West.
Fishing License in Colorado
You need a valid fishing license to fish in Colorado if you're 16 or older. Licenses are issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Buy online at cpw.state.co.us, at sporting goods stores, or at CPW offices across the state.
| License Type | Cost | Valid For |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual | $36.08 | April 1 - March 31 |
| Non-Resident Annual | $97.97 | April 1 - March 31 |
| Non-Resident 5-Day | $31.17 | 5 consecutive days |
| Non-Resident 1-Day | $16.63 | 1 day |
| Senior (64+, Resident) | $36.08 | April 1 - March 31 |
| Youth (Under 16) | Free | N/A |
| Second Rod Stamp | $6.97 | April 1 - March 31 |
Age exemptions: Anglers under 16 fish free in Colorado. No separate senior exemptions exist, but lifetime licenses are available for long-term residents. Active military stationed in Colorado qualify for resident pricing.
Special permits: A second rod stamp is available for $6.97 and allows using two lines simultaneously in most waters. Some Gold Medal waters restrict anglers to one rod regardless of stamps. A Habitat Stamp is required for all 18-64 year old anglers accessing CPW properties.
Buy your license or check current fees on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
Top 10 Fishing Spots in Colorado
Colorado's Gold Medal waters and mountain lakes draw anglers from around the world. These ten spots deliver the best fishing experiences the state has to offer.
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Download Free GuidePopular Fish Species in Colorado
Colorado is primarily a trout state, but warm-water species thrive in the eastern plains reservoirs. Here are the most commonly targeted species.
| Species | Season | Size Limit | Bag Limit | Best Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Year-round | Varies by water | 4/day (most waters) | Fly fishing, spinners, PowerBait |
| Brown Trout | Year-round | Varies by water | 4/day (combined) | Streamers, nymphs, Rapalas |
| Brook Trout | Year-round | 8" | 4/day (combined) | Small dry flies, worms, spinners |
| Lake Trout | Year-round | Varies | 1-4/day | Trolling, jigging, tube jigs |
| Kokanee Salmon | Year-round | None | 10/day | Trolling with dodgers, snagging in fall |
| Walleye | Year-round | 15" | 5/day | Jig and minnow, bottom bouncers |
| Wiper (Hybrid Striper) | Year-round | 15" | 3/day | Swimbaits, topwater, trolling |
| Northern Pike | Year-round | 36" | 1/day (most waters) | Spoons, jerkbaits, dead bait |
Seasonal Fishing Calendar
Colorado fishing peaks in summer and fall for most species, with ice fishing extending the season through winter on many reservoirs.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | - | - | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | - |
| Brown Trout | - | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | - |
| Kokanee Salmon | - | - | - | - | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | - | - | - |
| Walleye | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | - | - | Good | Peak | Good | Good |
| Lake Trout | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | - | - | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Northern Pike | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | - | - | Good | Peak | Good | Good |
Fishing Regulations in Colorado
Colorado fishing regulations are managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Gold Medal waters have special regulations that differ significantly from standard rules.
- Fishing hours: Fishing is allowed from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset on most waters. 24-hour fishing is allowed at some reservoirs.
- Rod limit: One rod per angler unless you purchase a second rod stamp.
- Gold Medal waters: These premier trout streams have special regulations - typically artificial flies and lures only, with reduced bag limits and minimum sizes. There are currently 322 miles of Gold Medal waters in Colorado.
- Cutthroat trout: Colorado River and greenback cutthroat trout are protected and must be released in most waters. Learn to identify them.
- Ice fishing: Legal on most reservoirs. Two rods allowed while ice fishing (with standard license). Tip-ups count as a rod.
- Invasive species: Mandatory boat inspections at many reservoirs. All boats must be drained, dried, and decontaminated before launching in Colorado waters.
Always carry your current regulations booklet. Download the official PDF from the View official Colorado fishing regulations.
Tips for Fishing in Colorado
Understand the runoff cycle
Colorado's mountain rivers blow out from snowmelt typically from late May through mid-July. During runoff, the rivers run high, fast, and muddy. The tailwaters below dams fish well through runoff since the reservoirs filter the water. Free-flowing rivers like the upper Colorado, Eagle, and Roaring Fork are unfishable during peak runoff. Plan accordingly - pre-runoff (April-May) and post-runoff (July-August) are prime time.
Fish the mysis shrimp hatch on the Frying Pan
The Frying Pan River below Ruedi Reservoir is home to mysis shrimp that wash through the dam and into the tailwater. Trout gorge on these tiny shrimp and grow to enormous sizes. Fishing mysis shrimp patterns (small, white or translucent flies in sizes 16-20) dead-drifted deep near the dam is the key technique. It's technical but the reward is fish that would be trophy-class anywhere else.
Try wiper fishing on the plains reservoirs
Wipers (hybrid striped bass) are one of Colorado's most underappreciated gamefish. Union Reservoir, Boyd Lake, and Pueblo Reservoir hold wipers in the 5-15 pound range that fight like freight trains. Surface feeding frenzies in early morning and evening during summer are incredible. Topwater lures and swimbaits cast into the boils produce explosive strikes.
Don't forget the high alpine lakes
Colorado has hundreds of alpine lakes above 10,000 feet that hold cutthroat, brook trout, and sometimes golden trout. Many require multi-mile hikes to reach, but the solitude and scenery make it worth every step. A lightweight spinning rod and a few small spinners or flies will cover most situations. The fish aren't big but they're eager, and you'll likely have the lake to yourself.
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