If you live in Colorado or are just coming for a visit, chances are you might want the opportunity to get in some fishing time. Colorado doesn’t have the most obvious fishing places, but they do have more than you would think, lots of fantastic spots that offer great sport to the fishing enthusiast. Once you get into the heart of Colorado, you can experience great, hidden places to catch fish.
Fishing in Colorado means a chance to catch some 35 species of both cold and warm water fish. Whether it is the famed rainbow trout in a cold Rocky Mountain stream or trolling for walleye on one of several plentiful, plains reservoirs. There are also many choices in the middle. There are over 6,000 miles of rivers and streams as well as more than 2,000 reservoirs and beautiful lakes to choose from.
Among the top and best places across the state are:
AURORA RESERVOIR: Sitting in the high plains of Aurora’s “outback,” this beautiful paradise is made up of almost 820 acres of water. Game fish including rainbow trout, and brown trout are big and plentiful. Other fish include wipers, walleye, large mouth bass, yellow perch and crappie. The reservoir is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Located off of State Road E470 in Aurora.
BEAR CREEK: (Evergreen to Bear Creek Reservoir): If you like fly fishing, Bear Creek near Morrison, Colorado is a great place. Medium-sized stream, Bear Creek yields catches of 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout and sometimes larger trout have been caught. There are also a few tiger muskies and saugeye that locals have testified to seeing. Located, west of Morrison on Highway 74.
BLUE RIVER: With plenty of water from the Dillon Reservoir this river offers some of the best rainbow and brown trout fishing around. This is listed as a Fly and lure fishing river, only. This beautiful spot is located on Highway 9 at the Frisco-Silverthorne Exit off Interstate 70.
FRYINGPAN, CRYSTAL AND ROARING FORK RIVERS: These rivers are among the finest fly and lure fishing places for trout in the entire United States. Even though it is catch-and-release in many areas on the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Reservoir, the opportunities to catch rainbow trout that exceeds 10 lbs, are plentiful. The Roaring Fork River has the best mountain whitefish sport fishing, in the state. The Crystal River is stocked with catchables and is a great spot to try. Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs, then Highway 82 to Basalt and Aspen will take you right to all of these fantastic spots.
ARKANSAS RIVER: From historic Leadville to Canon City, and almost 80 miles of public access, this has to be the best place for huge, brown trout and rainbows, with some up to 20 inches. Caddis fly hatch in this part of Colorado in late April/early May, but hatches are abundant all year, which makes this a consistent fishery where you also have lots of room.
BLUE MESA RESERVOIR: This is the state of Colorado’s best water for catching kokanee salmon and is also great for up to 16-inch rainbow trout through much of the year. If you are a fan of some good ice fishing action in January and February, Blue Mesa is lots of fun. Trophy lake trout can be caught in the spring, after the ice melts. This is also one of the prettiest spots in Colorado. Take Highway 50, then 9 miles west of Gunnison. You really can’t miss it.
Colorado is one of the most scenic and nature driven states in the country. If you are an avid fisherman, as am I, you can appreciate and enjoy any or all of these great fishing spots. Whether fly fishing, or just a rod and reel, you can’t help but have a great time in Colorado.
