Things to do / Travel Guide
Skiers are not the only ones who have something big to boast about after returning from a trip in the Colorado Rockies region. Anglers who have fished in the Colorado Rockies region tell big fish tales touting their trophy-size trout. Indeed, the region's streams, lakes, and reservoirs are stocked with some of the largest brown, rainbow, and native cutthroat trout in North America, as well as Colorado brook trout, and good-size northern pike and salmon. Fishing charters and companies will take you out and let you keep your catch, but if you want to do it alone, towns and marinas along nearly every waterway offer boat rentals, bait and tackle shops, and information about special regulations. While you are most likely to snag a big one just after the ice melts from early spring through summer, avid anglers should know that ice-fishing is also popular; aficionados commonly set up their shanties and try their luck fishing the frigid waters.
Unless you are fishing during the first full weekend of June, you will need to purchase a license from the Colorado Division of Wildlife Fishing, if you plan to fish in one of the State Parks, a Colorado State Parks Pass. Licenses and passes can be purchased in small shops, mini-markets, and outdoor recreation stores throughout the Colorado Rockies or through government websites; be certain to check about the special rules and regulations for the waterway you plan to fish.
Fishing near Steamboat Springs
Stagecoach Reservoir, 15 miles south of the friendly ski resort town of Steamboat Springs in Northwest Colorado, is a year-round fishing hotspot, known for 10- to 16-inch rainbow trout, as well as brown, brook, and cutthroat trout. The population of large northern pike, 35-46 inches in length, has also been on the rise in the area over the past couple of years. To fish here you will also need a State Parks Pass.
Fishing near Breckenridge
Don't think that Breckenridge, in Northwest Colorado, is just for cool ski cats - the fish also find it spectacular. The Blue River, which flows right through Breckenridge, provides excellent fly fishing for rainbow, brown, and native cutthroat trout.
Fishing near Grand Junction
For great trout fishing, try the over 200 crystal-clear, stream-fed lakes in Northwest Colorado's Grand Mesa National Forest, the 10,000-foot high “Island in the Sky.” Vega Reservoir, on the western edge of the forest, is a particular favorite. You can fish from a boat or fish using waders several feet in from the shore. Ice-fishing is also very popular here in the winter.
Fishing near Aspen
Roaring Fork River, near Aspen in Northwest Colorado, offers some of the best trout fly fishing in the U.S. and the best mountain whitefish fishing in Colorado. Northeast of Aspen just west of the Ruedi Reservoir, you'll find the best stretch of the Frying Pan River offering big, frying-pan worthy trout. Both the Roaring Fork River and Frying Pan River are Gold Medal streams.
Fishing near Gunnison
At 7,500-feet, you will find the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the U.S. at the 15-mile long Blue Mesa Reservoir in Southwest Colorado's Gunnison Valley. Lunker rainbow trout, trophy-size lakes, and browns can also be caught in early spring either from boats or along the shoreline.
Gunnison River, between Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Southwest Colorado town of Gunnison, is another of the state's most well stocked segments of water. Local anglers fish the holes and riffles and regularly snag trophy brown and rainbow trout. Bigger catch, over 16 inches in length, can be more easily caught between Crystal Creek and the confluence with North Fork (foot access only).
Fishing near Montrose
The pristine wilderness and breathtaking beauty of the lower 14 miles of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River (The Gunnison Gorge) is considered a Gold Medal fishery for very large brown and rainbow trout. Because this is a Wilderness Study Area, special regulations apply. Stop by a bait-and-tackle shop in the Southwest Colorado community of Telluride to ask about extra fees and guidelines.
Fishing near Durango
Also Gold Metal water, the Animas River, near Durango in Southwest Colorado, can be fished for 14-18-inch brown and rainbow trout from mid-April until June.
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