Best Fish to Catch on Colorado Fishing Trips
By Andy Whitcomb
Jun 12, 2017
Colorado is mainly known for its great trout fishing but there are some other fishing opportunities as well.
Colorado fishing trips vary greatly. There are many small, well stocked ponds and lakes with easy access. There also are some extremely rugged fishing opportunities hidden high in the Rocky Mountains for the truly adventuresome when fishing in Colorado.
Trout are the most popular species in Colorado. Brook, rainbow, brown, cutthroat and even greenback cutthroat trout are plentiful in many stretches of the swift, cold, clear streams. Local fly fishing shops may offer services for a Colorado fishing guide that can help you achieve a “grand slam,” where you catch one of each. Target species on some Colorado fishing trips may include kokanee salmon or lake trout (sometimes called a “mackinaw” by the locals) that lurk in some of the deep reservoirs, with a state record of over 50 pounds.
Bonus Colorado fishing trips might include other species like walleye, channel catfish, or pike. You can even help fisheries management of the Green Mountain Reservoir, where pike were illegally introduced, and collect a small reward at the Heeny Marina for harvest of these aggressive predators.
Study fishing reports in CO and the state regulations before you go Colorado fishing because there is 41 pages of necessary information. For example, many places allow artificial lures only and you are only permitted “one personally attended line” per angler. But the fishing in Colorado is so good, one line is enough.
The weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains so plan accordingly and stay safe. Dress in layers and let others know your travel plans before setting off on extreme fishing trips. And make sure you have your fishing license which helps support Colorado’s 90 million sport fish stocked annually.
Trout are the most popular species in Colorado. Brook, rainbow, brown, cutthroat and even greenback cutthroat trout are plentiful in many stretches of the swift, cold, clear streams. Local fly fishing shops may offer services for a Colorado fishing guide that can help you achieve a “grand slam,” where you catch one of each. Target species on some Colorado fishing trips may include kokanee salmon or lake trout (sometimes called a “mackinaw” by the locals) that lurk in some of the deep reservoirs, with a state record of over 50 pounds.
Bonus Colorado fishing trips might include other species like walleye, channel catfish, or pike. You can even help fisheries management of the Green Mountain Reservoir, where pike were illegally introduced, and collect a small reward at the Heeny Marina for harvest of these aggressive predators.
Study fishing reports in CO and the state regulations before you go Colorado fishing because there is 41 pages of necessary information. For example, many places allow artificial lures only and you are only permitted “one personally attended line” per angler. But the fishing in Colorado is so good, one line is enough.
The weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains so plan accordingly and stay safe. Dress in layers and let others know your travel plans before setting off on extreme fishing trips. And make sure you have your fishing license which helps support Colorado’s 90 million sport fish stocked annually.
Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.
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