Fishing Regulations in Colorado
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Colorado fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Colorado requires a fishing license for anglers 16 and older. Resident and non-resident annual licenses are available, along with 1-day and 5-day options for visitors. A second rod stamp allows using two lines simultaneously. Youth under 16 fish free.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rainbow-trout | 4 per day (varies by water) | Varies by water body | Year-round on most waters | Colorado has extensive special regulation waters with catch-and-release, fly-and-lure-only, and slot limit restrictions. Always check current Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations for specific water bodies. |
| brown-trout | 4 per day (combined trout limit) | Varies by water body | Year-round on most waters | |
| brook-trout | 4 per day (combined trout limit) | No minimum on most waters | Year-round on most waters | |
| largemouth-bass | 5 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| walleye | 5 per day | 15 inches minimum (varies by water) | Year-round | |
| northern-pike | 3 per day | 36 inches minimum (varies by water) | Year-round | |
| yellow-perch | 20 per day | No minimum | Year-round |
Bag Limit: 4 per day (varies by water)
Size Limit: Varies by water body
Season: Year-round on most waters
Notes: Colorado has extensive special regulation waters with catch-and-release, fly-and-lure-only, and slot limit restrictions. Always check current Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations for specific water bodies.
Bag Limit: 4 per day (combined trout limit)
Size Limit: Varies by water body
Season: Year-round on most waters
Bag Limit: 4 per day (combined trout limit)
Size Limit: No minimum on most waters
Season: Year-round on most waters
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum (varies by water)
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 3 per day
Size Limit: 36 inches minimum (varies by water)
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 20 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Top Fishing Waters
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, northern-pike, crappie
Eleven Mile Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, northern-pike, crappie, channel-catfish
Blue Mesa Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, yellow-perch, northern-pike
South Platte River
riverSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, brook-trout
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| rainbow-trout | 19 lbs 10 oz | 2020 | Morrow Point Reservoir |
| brown-trout | 30 lbs 8 oz | 1988 | Roaring Judy Hatchery |
| brook-trout | 7 lbs 10 oz | 1947 | Upper Cataract Lake |
| largemouth-bass | 11 lbs 6 oz | 1997 | Echo Canyon Reservoir |
| walleye | 18 lbs 8 oz | 2012 | Pueblo Reservoir |
| northern-pike | 30 lbs 11 oz | 2006 | Elevenmile Reservoir |
| channel-catfish | 35 lbs 4 oz | 2001 | Pueblo Reservoir |