Colorado resident
$42.12 / year
Annual fishing license
- + $12.76 Wildlife Habitat Stamp (ages 18–64)
- 1-day license $15.32, additional days $6.38
- Youth 16–17 and seniors 65+: $10.21 / year
2026–27 license year guide
Fishing in Colorado, USA
Species, bag limits, license fees and the best rivers and lakes for trout, kokanee, walleye and bass — everything you need to plan a legal trip in the Rocky Mountain State.
- 6,000+miles of fishable streams
- 2,000+lakes & reservoirs
- Year-roundstatewide season
- 4trout per day
Independent guide · Updated October 2026
From native cutthroat in alpine creeks to walleye on the eastern plains — what bites where, and when it's at its best.
Rainbow trout
Statewide · Year-round
Most stocked
Brown trout
Rivers & tailwaters
Fall spawn run
Cutthroat trout
High country
Native · State fish
Brook trout
Alpine creeks & ponds
Bonus limit
Lake trout
Deep reservoirs
Trophy class
Kokanee salmon
Reservoirs
10 per day
Walleye
Front Range & plains
Spring spawn
Largemouth bass
Warm lakes
15" minimum
Smallmouth bass
Rocky reservoirs
15" minimum
Northern pike
Lakes & backwaters
Harvest encouraged
Tiger muskie
Select reservoirs
36" minimum
Crappie
Plains reservoirs
Spring bite
Channel catfish
Warm lakes & rivers
Summer nights
No species match this filter.
Colorado fishing seasons & bag limits
Fishing is open year-round statewide. These are general statewide limits — Gold Medal and special-regulation waters often set stricter rules.
| Species | Season & peak times | Daily bag limit |
|---|---|---|
| Trout | Open year-roundBest before spring runoff (Mar–Apr) and after it (late Jun–Oct). Ice fishing on lakes Dec–Mar. | 4 per day, 8 in possession (all trout combined) Bonus brook trout allowed on many waters |
| Lake trout | Open year-roundShallow after ice-out (May–Jun) and again in late fall. | Counts toward the trout limit Slot and size rules on many reservoirs |
| Kokanee salmon | Hook & line: year-roundSnagging only on designated waters during the fall snagging season (from Sep 1). | 10 per day, 20 in possession |
| Walleye & saugeye | Open year-roundSpawning bite Mar–May; trolling summer evenings. | 5 per day combined 15–18" minimums on many waters |
| Black bass | Open year-roundBest May–September as water warms. | 5 per day combined, 15" minimum |
| Northern pike | Open year-roundShallow bays right after ice-out. | Varies by water Unlimited harvest encouraged on many West Slope waters |
| Tiger muskie | Open year-roundSummer into early fall. | 1 per day, 36" minimum |
| Crappie & panfish | Open year-roundShallow spawn in May; good through the ice. | 20 crappie per day Sunfish limits vary by water |
| Channel catfish | Open year-roundWarm summer nights, June–August. | 10 per day |
Limits change and many waters have their own rules. Always confirm in the current Colorado Fishing Regulations brochure from Colorado Parks and Wildlife before you go.
Colorado fishing licenses & fees
Buy online, save the license on your phone in the CPW app and you can fish the same day. The license year runs April 1 to March 31.
Nonresident
$121.26 / year
Annual fishing license
- + $12.76 Wildlife Habitat Stamp (ages 18–64)
- 1-day license $19.15, 5-day $38.29
- Great value for a single vacation trip
Before you go
Kids fish freeAnglers under 16 don't need a license and keep a full bag limit.
Second rod stamp$11.49 lets you fish with two rods at once on most lakes and reservoirs.
Clean, drain, dryBoats need an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp and an inspection at many reservoirs.
Special regulationsGold Medal and wild-trout waters often allow flies and lures only and may be catch-and-release.
State park passLakes inside state parks need a daily or annual vehicle pass on top of your license.
Fees from Colorado Parks and Wildlife's fee schedule approved in May 2026 and may change each license year. Check current prices at CPWshop.com.
Best places to fish in Colorado
Colorado has hundreds of miles of Gold Medal Waters — streams and lakes certified for big numbers of large trout — plus warmwater reservoirs across the Front Range and eastern plains.
- 1
South Platte River Gold Medal
Cheesman Canyon & Dream Stream · Rainbow, brown
- 2
Arkansas River Gold Medal
Leadville to Cañon City · Brown, rainbow
- 3
Frying Pan River Gold Medal
Basalt tailwater · Trophy rainbow, brown
- 4
Gunnison River Gold Medal
Gunnison Gorge · Brown, rainbow, stoneflies
- 5
Blue River Gold Medal
Silverthorne · Year-round tailwater trout
- 6
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Curecanti · Kokanee, lake trout
- 7
Lake Granby
Grand County · Lake trout, kokanee
- 8
Chatfield State Park
Denver metro · Walleye, bass, trout
- 9
Rocky Mountain National Park
High lakes & creeks · Native cutthroat
Rocky Mountain National Park has its own fishing rules — check NPS regulations, and use the CPW Fishing Atlas to find access points and stocking info.
When to fish in Colorado
Snowmelt sets the rhythm. Plan around spring runoff, and every season has something worth chasing.
Spring
March – May
Blue-wing olive hatches and pre-runoff trout, walleye spawn on the plains, pike in the shallows after ice-out.
Summer
June – August
Runoff peaks in June, then dry flies, high-country lakes, bass, catfish and kokanee trolling take over.
Fall
September – November
Spawning brown trout, kokanee runs and snagging season, quiet rivers and big lake trout moving shallow.
Winter
December – February
Ice fishing for trout, perch and lake trout, plus midge fishing on ice-free tailwaters below dams.
About fishing in Colorado
Colorado is one of the best trout states in the country. Thousands of miles of rivers and streams pour off the Continental Divide, feeding freestone rivers, canyon tailwaters below dams and more than two thousand lakes and reservoirs. The greenback cutthroat trout is the state fish, and Gold Medal Waters like the South Platte, Arkansas and Frying Pan draw fly anglers from around the world.
It isn't all trout. Front Range and eastern plains reservoirs hold walleye, bass, wiper, crappie and catfish, while big western reservoirs produce kokanee salmon and trophy lake trout. Colorado Parks and Wildlife sets the regulations, sells licenses and stocks millions of fish every year.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a fishing license in Colorado?
Yes, anglers 16 and older need a Colorado fishing license. Kids under 16 fish free. Adults 18–64 also buy a Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp with their first license of the year. Licenses are sold online at CPWshop.com, by phone and at sporting-goods stores.
When is fishing season in Colorado?
Fishing is open year-round statewide, 24 hours a day, unless a specific water says otherwise. The license year runs April 1 to March 31. Some waters have seasonal closures, and kokanee snagging is allowed only on designated waters in the fall.
How many trout can I keep in Colorado?
The statewide limit is 4 trout per day and 8 in possession, all species combined. Many waters allow extra brook trout. Gold Medal and special-regulation waters often have lower limits, size rules or catch-and-release only.
What is a Gold Medal Water?
Gold Medal is a designation from Colorado Parks and Wildlife for streams and lakes that consistently hold a high number of large trout. Many Gold Medal stretches are fly-and-lure only with reduced bag limits to protect the fishery.
Can I fish with two rods in Colorado?
Yes, with a second rod stamp. It lets you use two rods at the same time on most lakes and reservoirs. It does not apply on streams or on waters restricted to flies and lures.
Is there a free fishing weekend in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado holds a free fishing weekend each year, usually the first full weekend in June, when anyone can fish without a license. All other regulations and bag limits still apply.
When is the best time to fly fish in Colorado?
Late summer and early fall are the most reliable, once snowmelt runoff clears. Tailwaters below dams fish well all year, and spring before runoff (March–April) brings strong hatches with fewer crowds.