Colorado offers unrivaled opportunity to fish over 35 species in some of the most scenic bodies of water. Fish anywhere in 6,000 miles of streams and more than 1,300 lakes and reservoirs. Annual fishing licenses are valid March 1 through March 31 (13 months). Youth aged 15 and under fish for free.
Miles of Stream
Lakes and Resevoirs
Gold Medal Waters
fishing at Nee Noshee Reservoir
Choose from a list of more than 50 fishing waters to plan your next fishing adventure!
CPW's List of Quality Waters includes lakes and streams that contain productive, quality fisheries with public access and are fishable by most angling methods. The waters may have been nominated for one species or a whole suite of species.
Licenses can be purchased online, over the phone, or in person at hundreds of retail locations.
Any boat (motor or sail) operated in Colorado must be registered and purchase an ANS stamp. Get a mandatory boat inspection before your hit the water, and get decontaminated afterwards.
Carry your fishing license on your phone. Follow the FAQ to learn how to access your license within the app wallet. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Search for fishing opportunities by species or by proximity to your home or destination.
Looking to learn to fish, or know someone who is? Start here with simple guides and gear lists or take a fishing clinic for hands-on practice with a seasoned angler or CPW staff member.
Getting started isn’t complicated. Follow our basic equipment guide and you’ll be hooked before you know it!
This popular angling method uses a bait fishing rig and a fishing hook.
This popular angling method that involves using a lightweight artificial fly to catch fish.
This winter activity that involves drilling a hole in the ice and dropping a fishing line through it in order to catch fish.
Learn the characteristics of fish in Colorado, including how to tell the difference between the fish you can legally take, and the protected fish you can't.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife maintains a list of accessible fishing locations for anglers with disabilities.
Select the region below to find accessible fishing access near you, or visit the park finder to find a park with accessible fishing:
For any Colorado resident who has a total and permanent disability. Residents must apply for this fishing license.
The Latest From The Water
Whether you are a seasoned angler or a novice, keeping up with the latest fishing reports and surveys can help you make the most of your time on the water. Stay Up-to-Date on stocking and catch trends.
Would you like to be notified about the latest fishing news from CPW? Join our email newsletter and be the first to know about the hottest fishing spots, events, and more.
The stocking report identifies where catchable trout (approximately 10 inches) were recently stocked.
The report is updated every Friday during the fishing season and lists waters that were scheduled to be stocked throughout the previous week. Many factors can potentially impact when fish can be stocked, so the scheduled stocking dates that are used to generate this report are subject to change without notice.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) fisheries biologists are now providing to the public online survey summaries by water. CPW conducts hundreds of lake and stream surveys each year. The first page of the documents provides general information about fishing in particular waters, such as location and access. A second page highlights detailed information regarding fishery management aspects.
More waters will be added over time, and updates will be provided for waters that are currently available. High-priority and brood waters such as Chatfield, Pueblo, Horsetooth, and the Gunnison River are surveyed annually, while smaller, more remote, or lightly used lakes or streams may only be surveyed once every 5-10 years.
