Aside from being natural treasures, Rocky Mountain National Park, Gore Creek, and Georgetown Lake are among the top freshwater fishing destinations in the US.
Although it’s not as famous for freshwater fishing as Michigan and Minnesota, Colorado still has over 2000 lakes and more than 12,000 miles of streams. The Centennial State is among the best flyfishing destinations for anglers targeting trout or salmon.
The top fishing spots in Colorado are often far away from large cities, so a bit of planning can go a long way, but as a bonus, you’ll enjoy some truly breathtaking views.
Top Fishing Spots in Colorado at a Glance
Let’s glance at some of the must-see fishing destinations in Colorado.
- Best for lake fishing: Rocky Mountain National Park
- Best for fly fishing: Gore Creek
- Best for ice fishing: Georgetown Lake
- Best for muskie fishing: Manitou Lake
The 10 Best Fishing Spots in Colorado
Now that you know some of the top fishing destinations in Colorado, let’s dive in deeper and see what they have to offer.
Quail Lake Park
Don’t miss out on Quail Lake Park if you’re planning a visit to Colorado Springs. The park is located in the city’s south-west area, a short distance from downtown.
The 22-acre artificial lake is ideal for shore fishing, but you can also rent a kayak and try your luck at kayak fishing.
The park is open from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m., so you don’t have to rush to get there first thing in the morning, as you’ll have the entire day to enjoy angling at this beautiful lake.
Type of fishing: Kayak fishing, pier fishing
Expect to find: Rainbow trout, catfish, carp, striped bass
Rules and safety guidelines: Wade-fishing is prohibited
Rocky Mountain National Park
There’s no shortage of stunning fishing spots in Rocky Mountain National Park. The park stretches 415 square miles, encompassing 156 lakes and 450 miles of streams, including the Grand Lake, Colorado’s largest natural lake.
Emerald Lake and Lake Haiyaha are also popular fishing destinations in the Rocky Mountain National Park, and they’re connected by trails, which means you can hike from one fishing spot to another in under an hour.
You should check out Fall River, Big Thompson River, or St.Vrain Creek if you’re looking for a perfect flyfishing destination in the park.
Type of fishing: Flyfishing, sport fishing
Expect to find: Brook, cutthroat, and rainbow trout
Rules and safety guidelines: Some fishing areas of the park are catch-and-release only. Anglers cannot use worms and baits in catch-and-release waters.
Rio Grande River
The 175-mile-long section of Rio Grande that flows through Colorado offers numerous scenic fishing spots. South Fork is the most popular area for anglers like float fishing, wading, flyfishing, or casting their lines from the bank.
Most spots are easily reachable from the road, but you must get out of South Fork town to enjoy angling at the region’s best locations.
Moreover, if you’re visiting the Upper Rio Grande in the winter, you can explore some of the region’s lakes or ponds and try ice fishing.
Type of fishing: Flyfishing, float fishing, wade fishing
Expect to find: Kokanee salmon, brown trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout
Rules and safety guidelines: Ask for permission before entering private property, strict catch-and-release rules for rainbow trout.
Georgetown Lake
This popular fishing spot is just over forty miles west of Denver in Clear Creek County. Georgetown Lake is open to the public throughout the year and can be an excellent destination for recreational anglers or ice-fishing enthusiasts.
The lake has a large walleye population, attracting anglers who like trolling, but you’ll also find bass, trout, and salmon at this gorgeous fishing location.
Still, you’ll need a fishing license to cast a line at Georgetown Lake, and you can only keep four fish you catch in a day.
Types of fishing: Ice fishing, trolling, boat fishing, shore fishing
Expect to find: Northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth bass, brown trout
Rules and safety guidelines: Only fishing from non-motorized boats is allowed
Fraser River
The Colorado River’s tributary attracts fly fishers from the entire country. The 32-mile-long river is located in the North-Central region of Colorado, and the easiest way to reach it is from Granby in Grand County.
Fraser River is shallow and narrow, so you can fish from the bank or step into the stream while fly fishing. The river’s canyon offers many beautiful fishing spots, but they’re often located on private property, which makes them difficult to reach.
Hence, you’ll likely have more luck finding a good fishing spot in sections of the Fraser River near the Berthoud Pass.
Type of fishing: Flyfishing, sport fishing
Expect to find: Trout, salmon
Rules and safety guidelines: Catch-and-release rules apply for some fish species; You must use artificial flies or lures.
Gore Creek
Besides excit