Fishing in Colorado
With 8,000 miles of rivers (including 322 miles of Gold Medal streams) and more than 2,000 lakes, Colorado has some of the best, and most abundant, fishing you’ll find anywhere — not to mention the incredible natural beauty that surrounds it all.
FIND FISHING SPOTS NEAR YOU
TOP FISHING SPOTS IN COLORADO
RIFLE GAP RESERVOIR
Rifle Gap anglers catch rainbow and German brown trout, walleye, pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass and yellow perch.
LAKE PUEBLO STATE PARK
Lake Pueblo in CO provides over 4,600 surface acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline - great for fishing, boating and water sports.
AURORA RESERVOIR PARK
Aurora's reservoirs have some of the best water around and have grown four state record fish: tiger muskie, catfish, smallmouth bass and white sucker.
GET A COLORADO FISHING LICENSE
COMMON CATCHES IN COLORADO
RAINBOW TROUT
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
The rainbow trout is an extremely valuable species in any and all of its forms.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | Light (2-8 lbs) spinning rod |
| Reel | 1500 spinning reel |
| Line | 2-4 pound test fishing line |
| Lure | Deli Shrimp, Dew Worm, Krill, Marshmellow, Single Salmon Egg, Artificial Baits |
CHANNEL CATFISH
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
The channel catfish is very highly regarded for its food and sports value.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6-7-foot, medium-heavy spinning rod |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 14-pound or stronger abrasion-resistant monofilament line |
| Lure | Terminal tackle (circle or bait hooks, treble hooks, egg sinkers), live worms or minnows, cut-bait |
BROWN TROUT
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
The brown trout is one of the world’s most widely distributed and highly esteemed freshwater fish.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6-7 foot 1-3kg or heavier carbon fibre, graphite, or nano rod |
| Reel | 1000 or 2500 size reel |
| Line | 4-pound-test monofilament fishing line |
| Lure | Small Hooks (No. 12), Jigs, Crankbaits, Spoons, Minnows (use a sinker as well) |
WALLEYE
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
Walleye have needle-like teeth, bite well when the waters are cold, and make excellent table fare.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6.5 and 7 feet long medium-action graphite rod |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 8 or 10 pound test monofilament fishing line |
| Lure | Jigs, Plastic Baits, Crankbaits, Bottom Bouncers |
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 12-13 foot rod built for light line |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 4-pound line |
| Lure | Small Hook, Worms, Crickets, Earthworms, Red Wigglers, Grubs (use a floater and a sinker as well) |
SMALLMOUTH BASS
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
There is no doubt that the smallmouth bass rivals the largemouth in popularity.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6-7.5 foot rod built for light line |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 8-pound test monofilament fishing line |
| Lure | Jerkbaits, Crankbaits, Jigs, Spinnerbait, Hook and a Worm (the best) |
STREAMS & RIVERS
River & stream fishing means knowing where the water is moving, and how fish behave in it.
LAKES & PONDS
Learn about the structures in lakes and ponds. Learn where to find fish, tips and more.
