Colorado Fishing Overview
Colorado has over 6,000 miles of fishable streams and more than 2,000 lakes and reservoirs spread across the state. Trout are the main attraction. Rainbow, brown, cutthroat, brook, and lake trout all live here, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks many public waters on a regular schedule. But bass fishing is growing fast too, especially in the plains reservoirs east of the Front Range where warm water and rocky structure give largemouth and smallmouth plenty to work with.
You'll need a Colorado fishing license before you wet a line. Residents and non-residents can buy one online through CPW in about five minutes. An annual license runs around $35 for residents. With that out of the way, here are the lakes and reservoirs worth your time.
Best Trout Lakes
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
Spinney is where you go when you want big fish. Rainbows over 20 inches are common, and the browns run even larger. Northern pike patrol the weed beds and can surprise you when you're targeting trout. It's designated Gold Medal water, which means special regulations apply, so read the signage before you cast. The reservoir sits at 8,700 feet and catches serious wind most afternoons. Plan for it. Bring layers and anchor your gear. The fish make it worth every gust.
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Blue Mesa is Colorado's largest body of water at roughly 9,000 surface acres. It holds kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, and northern pike. Fishing from a boat is the most productive approach since the reservoir is deep and the fish move around. The kokanee run in September and October draws anglers from across the state. If you've never caught kokanee on light tackle, it's fast and fun. The drive from Denver takes about four hours, but the size of the fishery makes it worth a full weekend.
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Eleven Mile sits just down the road from Spinney, and it's another Gold Medal designation. You'll find rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat, northern pike, and carp. Shore fishing is productive here, especially along the dam face and the inlet areas during spring runoff. The reservoir covers about 3,400 acres and has a state park campground if you want to make it an overnight trip. Ice fishing is popular too, with good catches of trout and pike through the winter.
Dowdy Lake
Dowdy is a smaller lake up in the Red Feather Lakes area northwest of Fort Collins. It's 115 acres with a no-wake rule, which keeps things quiet and makes it perfect for float tubes and small boats. CPW stocks it regularly with rainbow and brown trout. You won't catch anything huge, but you'll catch plenty, and the lack of crowds is a real draw compared to the bigger reservoirs closer to Denver. Good camping nearby at the Dowdy Lake Campground.
Grand Lake
Grand Lake is Colorado's largest natural lake, sitting right at the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Lake trout, also called mackinaw, are the primary target. They hang deep, so trolling from a boat with downriggers is the standard approach. Some of these fish reach 20 pounds or more. The town of Grand Lake has marinas where you can rent a boat if you don't have one. It's a solid option if you want to combine fishing with a national park trip.
Best Bass Lakes
John Martin Reservoir
John Martin is the best bass lake in southeast Colorado, and most Front Range anglers don't even know it exists. The drive is about three hours from Denver, but the trade-off is minimal fishing pressure. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish all thrive here. The walleye fishing picks up in spring, and bass stay active through the summer months. If you're tired of elbow-to-elbow fishing at the metro reservoirs, this place will feel like your own private lake.
Horsetooth Reservoir
Horsetooth is popular for a reason. Smallmouth bass fishing here is excellent, with fish hitting crayfish patterns along the rocky shoreline. Walleye and trout round out the options. The reservoir is long and narrow, so even on busy weekends you can find a quiet cove. Shore access is decent at several points along the west side. Boat ramps stay busy from May through September, so get there early on weekends.
Quincy Reservoir
Quincy is small but productive. It's right in the Denver metro area, and it regularly kicks out 3 to 4 pound largemouth bass. The lake is managed by the city of Aurora and requires a separate permit on top of your state license. Shoreline fishing works, but a kayak or float tube gives you access to the deeper structure where the bigger fish hold. It's a great option when you've only got a few hours.
Bear Creek Lake
Bear Creek Lake Park is right outside Denver, making it one of the easiest spots to hit on a weekday evening. CPW stocks it with rainbow trout, and the lake also holds smallmouth bass and walleye. It's not going to give you trophy fish, but for a quick trip after work, it's hard to argue with a 20-minute drive from downtown. The park charges an entry fee.
Boyd Lake
Boyd Lake is a state park with solid facilities, paved boat ramps, and good shore access. Walleye are the main draw, with consistent catches in spring and fall. Bass and catfish fill out the rest of the year. The lake is large enough for power boats and waterskiing, so weekends get noisy. Fish early in the morning or during the week for the best experience.
Near Denver Quick Trips
If you don't want to drive more than an hour, these five lakes keep you close to home.
- Chatfield Reservoir (Littleton) Rainbow trout, bass, walleye, and perch. About 25 minutes from downtown Denver. State park pass required. Boat ramps and good shore access on the south side.
- Cherry Creek Reservoir (Aurora) Walleye, bass, and stocked trout. Roughly 20 minutes from downtown. Gets crowded on summer weekends, but early mornings are productive. State park pass required.
- Standley Lake (Westminster) Stocked with rainbow trout, also holds largemouth bass and catfish. About 30 minutes from Denver. Requires a city of Westminster fishing permit.
- Bear Creek Lake (Lakewood) Smallmouth bass, trout, and walleye. Just 20 minutes from downtown. Good for a quick evening session after work.
- Quincy Reservoir (Aurora) Consistent bass fishing close to town. 25 minutes from Denver. Aurora permit required in addition to your state license.
Tips for Fishing in Colorado
- Get your license first. You can buy a Colorado fishing license online through CPW at cpw.state.co.us. It takes about five minutes and you can print it or save it on your phone.
- Check stocking reports. CPW publishes weekly stocking reports on their website. If a lake just got stocked, the fishing is usually hot for the next week or two.
- Ice fishing is huge. From November through March, many of these reservoirs freeze over and the ice fishing community comes out in force. If you haven't tried it, rent some gear and give it a shot.
- Know the Gold Medal rules. Gold Medal waters like Spinney and Eleven Mile have special regulations on bait, tackle, and bag limits. Check the current rules before you go so you don't get a ticket.
- Arrive early on weekends. Popular reservoirs along the Front Range fill their parking lots by 8 a.m. on summer Saturdays. If you want a good spot, plan to be there at sunrise.
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