The Best Fishing Spots in Colorado
Colorado offers excellent recreational fishing across mountain rivers, high alpine streams, productive lakes and large reservoirs; anglers commonly pursue rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and native cutthroat trout, while bigger waters hold kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike. Popular techniques include drifting and nymphing for trout, fly fishing on scenic tailwaters and freestone runs, spinning and topwater for bass, trolling for kokanee, and ice fishing when lakes freeze in winter.
Top Cities For Fishing
River Fishing
Top Freshwater Fishing Spots
Antero Reservoir
Shallow and nutrient-rich, Antero grows fast, chunky rainbow, cutthroat, and tiger trout; work weed-line lanes with suspending chironomids and streamers, with shore anglers scoring near inlets and boaters methodically covering cabbage beds across the basin in South Park .
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Colorado’s largest lake is famed for kokanee salmon and trophy lake trout (mackinaw), with strong brown and rainbow trout fishing; jig deep humps for lakers, run dodger-squid rigs for kokanee, and work inlets near Gunnison and the Curecanti National Recreation Area for trout during spring and fall.
Dillon Reservoir
High-elevation Dillon holds Colorado’s unique population of Arctic char along with kokanee, brown, and rainbow trout; target char deep near the dam in late summer, troll for kokes mid-lake, and drift nymphs along the Blue River inlets when flows bring in forage.
Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir
Known for wind-swept but productive water, Elevenmile yields hefty rainbow, brown, and cutbow trout plus kokanee and occasional northern pike; troll spoons and spinners along contour lines or work slip bobbers over weed edges, with additional shore action near the South Platte River inlet.
Fryingpan River
A renowned tailwater below Ruedi Reservoir , the Fryingpan grows outsized rainbow and brown trout fueled by mysis shrimp; technical nymphing and dry-fly work excel in clear flows, with short drifts and stealth rewarded in the Flats and upper mile.
Gunnison River
Cutting through the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge , the Gunny yields powerful brown and rainbow trout to nymphs, dries, and streamers; float fishing opens access to long, brawling runs, while waders target eddies and soft seams along sheer walls.
Horsetooth Reservoir
A deep, rocky reservoir outside Fort Collins , Horsetooth shines for smallmouth bass with bonus walleye and trout; finesse jigs and drop-shots along sheer walls and points, troll after-dark for walleye, and cover coves by kayak when boat traffic is light.
Pueblo Reservoir
A Front Range favorite for multi-species action, Pueblo Reservoir produces walleye, wiper, smallmouth bass, catfish, and seasonal trout; troll crankbaits or bottom-bounce for walleye in spring, work rocky points for bronzebacks in summer, and chase shad-driven boils for wipers near Lake Pueblo State Park when water temps peak.
Roaring Fork River
A freestone powerhouse from Aspen to Glenwood Springs , the Fork offers brown and rainbow trout with outstanding float-fishing; stonefly, caddis, and streamer bites surge during runoff drop, while winter midge hatches keep action steady.
Arkansas River
Flowing past Leadville , Buena Vista , and Salida , the Arkansas is famed for wild brown trout and excellent caddis and mayfly hatches; wade miles of pocket water or float long runs near the Browns Canyon and Royal Gorge stretches.
South Platte River
Iconic sections like Cheesman Canyon , Deckers , and the Dream Stream deliver technical sight-fishing for wary brown and rainbow trout; tiny midges and emergers shine in low, clear water, while streamers move meat-eaters on cloudy days.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
A fly angler’s mecca for trophy trout, Spinney produces outsized rainbow, brown, and cutthroat/cutbow, with sight-fishing to cruisers on flats; chironomids, damsels, and leeches shine from ice-off through early summer, while boats and float tubes cover expansive weedbeds in South Park .
Taylor River
Below Taylor Park Reservoir , the Taylor’s cold tailwater produces exceptionally large brown and rainbow trout; precise nymphing in the C&R section and midday midge hatches reward patience, while float and wade options expand downstream toward Almont .
Chatfield Reservoir
A bustling metro-water, Chatfield offers walleye, smallmouth, trout, and catfish; night-cast jerkbaits on riprap for eyes, pitch tubes to smallie haunts, and drift bait for trout near the Platte River inlet—kayaks and powerboats spread out the pressure across coves and points.
Grand Lake
Colorado’s largest natural lake offers lake trout, brown, and rainbow trout; early and late light sees lakers shallow before they slide deep, while shore anglers cast spoons near docks and points, with easy access to neighboring Shadow Mountain Lake and Lake Granby .
Lake Granby
Part of the Three Lakes, Granby is a prime destination for lake trout and kokanee with steady rainbow trout action; jig tube baits on deep structure for macks, run kokanee gear in the main basin, and explore connections to Shadow Mountain Lake via the channel.
Shadow Mountain Lake
Interconnected with Grand Lake and Lake Granby , Shadow Mountain provides reliable rainbow and brown trout action plus kokanee; troll the canal and main basin, or target current seams where the Colorado River enters.
Yampa River
A classic Western freestone through Steamboat Springs , the Yampa offers strong brown and rainbow trout with summer terrestrials and shoulder-season streamer bites; float stretches below town or wade meadow bends and riffles above the confluence with the Elk River .