Remember to check in at the trail head. The best part is, some of the best ice fishing in Colorado can be found near Denver. Each season has its perks and downsides, though. An Angler's Guide to the Best Fishing Near Alamosa. Take a heavy rod and big streamers to target the pike. One of the top lake trout fishing tips is knowing the best lake trout jigging lures to use. Trout and large carp are said to swim in the lake’s waters, which are ideal for kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats. Located near Island Park in eastern Idaho, this river is a tributary of the famed Snake River. The Yampa provides amazing fishing both above the dam in Steamboat Lake as well as in the tailwater that flows all the way through Steamboat Springs and beyond. Perhaps add a few bead head nymphs to fish dry/dropper and you are set. Also bring some blue-winged olives size 18-22 and plenty of caddis patterns. From the stunning red canyons of Colorado to the crystal-clear mountain lakes of the Wind Rivers to the beaver flows of New Hampshire, you can find lots of fly-fishing destinations that have excellent fish action. The lake has a boat ramp available. Some anglers argue that it has the best trout fishing in the whole country, especially the tailwater directly below Flaming Gorge Dam. The Gunnison is formed by the confluence of the East and Taylor Rivers at the small town of Almont. North Delaney Butte Lake. Pay attention to seasonal area closures and check the regulations for closures on the small stream that feeds the lake. Famous for the big Mothers’ Day caddis hatch, the Arkansas features amazing fishing throughout the season. We’ve put together our Colorado ice fishing guide so get ready, grab your gear and some warm clothes, and go let’s go ice fishing. This gold medal stream is more of a mountain creek than a large trout stream. A large arbor reel allows you to quickly reel in the excess line as the fish begins to tire out. White River runs through the southern tip of Missouri and all through Arkansas. Originally their range was limited to eastern North America, but through stocking programs they are now found throughout the west also. Summer hopper fishing can be great for anglers fishing this section. It’s probably the most famous trout stream to be located near a metropolitan area. Rio Grande Cutthroats can be found in the drainages of […] Brown trout as well as large rainbows call this river home. Best fishing trails in Grand Lake, Colorado 2,140 Reviews Explore the most popular fishing trails near Grand Lake with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. There are some huge pike on these lakes so fish big flies. This is probably the best way to target big brown trout in the fall and rising trout in the spring. Colorado has 13,000 km (8,000 miles) of rivers and more than 2,000 lakes. Best Fishing Windows. Lake Trout The largest of the char family, lake trout, also referred to as Mackinaw, can reach enormous proportions, in the range of 50 inches and 100 pounds. A woman sits on a cooler along the shore line to get in some fishing at Barr Lake in 2013. Colorado’s reservoirs are most commonly stocked with Rainbow Trout, and other varieties of trout are abundant (namely Brown, Brook, and Lake Trout.) By Terry Wickstrom, Special to The Denver Post Jan 24, 2018, 9:41 am. This area’s claim to fame is its great rivers, but the Beaverkill was also the place in which dry fly-fishing was pioneered. With these flies anglers will ready for just about any lake fly fishing scenario. Hey, this could be you fishing at Chatfield Reservoir. Another great thing is that you can go fishing at any time of the year if you are not afraid to stay outside in the cold. This part of the state boasts insect hatches all year long and streamers fish quite well, which implies that minnows abound, a favorite meal of the brown trout. Here’s a LINK to my store -> River Traditions, “This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. The Frying Pan is a small mountain trout stream until it enters Ruedi Reservoir. 3. Eleven Mile Reservoir is known for its large rainbow trout that can range from 14-20 inches long. Pale morning duns, green drakes, and blue-winged olives are just a few of the great mayfly hatches you can find on this river. Though a decent part of the river is private, the public sections are not fished too often and provide some opportunities to catch some sizeable brown trout and rainbow trout. This lake typically stays frozen until March or even April, so you have plenty of time to get your ice fishing in at Chambers Lake. Stocked on a yearly basis, the man-made lake is now home to Trout, Walleye, Perch, Crappie, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Bluegill, giving you more bang for your buck! This 3,400 acre reservoir is open for ice fishing 365 days a year. Small streams in any of the high mountains are about the same as small streams anywhere. You can fish from shore or take a boat out. The South Platte River has meandering meadow sections and rough canyon water. The state’s rivers are the right temperature for the trout to be active all day long, and they spawn during that time period. Fishing in Colorado is a year round activity. Lake trout tend to spend most of their time in deeper water so you need something that gets down to the fish as quick as possible. Great caddis hatches along with plenty of stoneflies keep the fish fed through the summer. At the crossroads of the Black Canyon National Park and Curecanti National Area, you’ll find rivers, lakes, and Colorado’s biggest lake … Colorado Parks and Wildlife encourages anglers to keep smaller-sized lake trout. As of 8/25/2020, staff at Navajo State Park report that "fishing at Navajo Lake has been good, but has slowed down a bit as the water temperature rises. When should I fish in Colorado? The three major warm-water bodies — Horsetooth Reservoir, Chatfield Reservoir and Lake Pueblo — are all worthy of our list. Hi, David here the guy behind this website. On most of the larger gold medal streams, the wind blows often enough that a stout 5 weight or 6 weight rod is best. This river is physically gorgeous, and the various dams along the way create unbelievable fishing spots like Bull Shoals Lake. Another great thing is that you can go fishing at any time of the year if you are not afraid to stay outside in the cold. Trying to get lightweight lures down to where the fish will most likely to be is a waste of time. Running through an ancient basalt canyon in the high desert of Oregon, this cold, clear river spans 100 miles (the Deschutes runs a total of 250) to its confluence with the mighty Columbia. To get to the next on our list of best fishing towns in Colorado, you’ll have to cross 100 miles of peaks to find what may be the state’s fishing highlight. This river features hefty rainbow and brown trout along with a few cutthroat and brook trout. This upper section of the Gunnison features great caddis and green drake hatches. 1. Have any you want to add? Early or late in the season is best. Planning your fishing trip in Colorado grants you the opportunity to land one of at least 35 species of both warm- and cold-water fish that inhabit the area including smallmouth bass, brown trout, sunfish, and Snake River cutthroat. Home Fly Fishing Tips “Simplifly” Your Boxes: Top 20 Colorado Trout Patterns By Jay December 5, 2018 Fly Fishing Tips Guide Tom Caprio shares his top 20 must have flies for fishing Colorado’s rivers and streams. Below the town of Gunnison, the river is impounded in a series of reservoirs before being turned loose into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. These meandering stretches also harbor some large brown trout under the undercut banks. Best fishing trails in Colorado. Casting in and out of this tainted water is the best approach for landing brown trout or cutthroat, as this is where they primarily feed during the … Colorado table country offers some of the best stillwater fishing in the western half of the state. With clear greenish waters and red canyons, the Green River is a stunning locale in northeast Utah. There are three boat launches and the Lake Granby Yacht Club here. The best time to fish the lake is early and late in the season. Southeastern Colorado is a fisherman’s best-kept secret. This is the best rod to use for trout fishing and allows you to use a variety of techniques to catch your trout. Huge trout in the ten-pound range are not out of the question. Trout spoons have pretty much stayed the same for years but this little beauty is definitely one you should have in the tackle box. Fish: Walleye, Wipers, Crappie, Rainbow Trout, Perch, Largemouth Bass; Distance From Denver: 19 Miles; Found within the Cherry Creek state park, the size of this lake and it’s location in the middle of the park make for some of the best fishing spots available. When learning how to catch lake trout, it’s important to know that they prefer light lures so consider stocking up on small spinners and spoons. You’re only allowed to use artificial lures and flies, and catch-and-release is strongly encouraged (like most places on … If you want to chase the large trout with streamers, then a 6 or 7 weight fly rod is about perfect. The water stays colder here than in the lower regions, so it’s still possible to catch trout as late as July or August. Right after ice out is normally excellent. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Ouzel Lake is considered to be one of the best fly fishing destinations for greenback cutthroat trout in the entire park. As Lake San Cristobal thaws out by mid-May, fishermen can catch 10- to 30-pound mackinaw or lake trout near the shore. This section is also home to some big rainbow trout so bring your best game when you fish here. The entire river is worth exploring from top to bottom by the wading angler. Midges, callibaetis, and damselflies keep the fish fed and growing at unbelievably fast rates. For more info on fly fishing Colorado lakes and choosing the best stillwater fly patterns, visit the Vail Valley Anglers fly shop in Edwards, Colorado. Watch for moose as this is an area where their populations are doing very well! The high country is worth spending lots of time exploring, but the gold medal fishing is further down this drainage. Plus, some notable mentions below! Best Lake Trout Lures. In the fall, try streamers in the section below Green Mountain Reservoir for large brown trout making a spawning run up from the Colorado River. Henry’s Fork is made up of shallow stretches and deep canyons and offers a lot of action for great trout. Anglers looking to wade should check out Gore Canyon or the upper river near Parshall. Dillon Reservoir harbors mysis shrimp, which grows trout in the tailwater to massive proportions. Fish some bitch creeks or pats rubber legs starting in march, and you will have some excellent spring fishing opportunities for 14-16 inch brown trout all day long. Gaffs and tail snares are prohibited. You must release all Lake Trout that are 26-36" in length and can only keep 4 of any other size. It offers excellent fishing for rainbow, cutbow and large brown trout. Mark Farmer, 36, of Lakewood, caught this trophy lake trout while fishing at Lake Granby on May 14, 2011. The tailwater doesn’t completely freeze over, so it’s a great winter trip. When nothing else is happening, fish in the upper sections of the tailwater will eat midges any day of the year. As the season wears down, the river becomes more congested in the late summer and early fall. There is one boat ramp located on the east side of the lake. For the lake, midges are best along with damselflies and callibaetis patterns. The Greenback Cutthroat was once thought to be extinct but now thrives in several Front Range fisheries. If you are into fishing, you'll have plenty of locations to choose from and beautiful views as a bonus. The early spring is the best time for you to target trout in Colorado. Montana has a lot of beautiful rivers to fish from, and with its vast expanses and never-ending blue sky, it is a perennial favorite of the angler. While rainbow, cutthroat, cuttbow, and brown trout along with some kokanee salmon are the main targets, don’t overlook the incredible carp fishing opportunities in the Denver area. The Best Time To Fish For Trout In Colorado. One of Colorado’s gold medal stillwater fisheries, North Delaney is known for producing huge rainbow, brown, and cutthroat/rainbow hybrid trout. Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado. Now Bighorn is a stable environment for trout to flourish, making it an excellent place to fish. Flowing through North Park and near the town of Walden, the North Platte features some amazing high country fishing. Midges are a staple for anglers on this river. We also highly recommend the Androscoggin River, and the Saco River in New Hampshire. You will be pounding the banks from the boat making many casts, so a rod that isn’t too heavy is nice. A PERSONALIZED fly box make a perfect gift. One of Colorado’s gold medal stillwater fisheries, North Delaney is known for producing huge rainbow, brown, and cutthroat/rainbow hybrid trout. It’s a top-rated destination for anglers because of the confluence of two great fishing rivers – the Willomec and the Beaverkill. Max DesMarais is the founder of Hiking & Fishing. A float trip is the best way to enjoy the lower river. Max is a published author for various outdoor websites and digital marketing websites. The monster fish measured 39 1/4 inches in length. We’ve put together a list of the 8 best lakes for ice fishing in Colorado. Wading in Connecticut River, New Hampshire. [1] Colorado d fly fishing boxwood gulch fall on colorado stone rivers crested e gunnison fly fishing the gunnison river swinging wet flies for colorado troutThe Best Fly Fishing Trips In Colorado With Wilderness14 Best Places To Fly Fish In Colorado Maps IncludedTop 10 Flies For Fall On Colorado Stone Rivers Orvis NewsInformation For Best Tailwater … In particular, patterns that imitate trout are ideal. Besides lake trout and kokanee, Green Mountain has a good population of both brown and rainbow trout. The Deschutes is separated into Upper, Middle, and Lower regions, with the Lower Deschutes the most famous for wild trout and steelhead. Check the fishing regulations for bag and possession limits. Most of your fishing in Colorado can be done with a good 9’ 5 weight fly rod. During the summer, trout often go deep so a boat and sinking lines are a must. 5. This list of trout fisheries will make any fly fisherman want to get out to Colorado. https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Fishing.aspx, https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/fishing.pdf, https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/StockingReport.aspx, Mysis Shrimp imitations, white or translucent, size 16-20, Pale Morning Duns, pinkish tan instead of the normal yellow, size 14-18, Midge Patterns early in the season, #16-#22, Crawdad patterns, orange and olive, size 2-4. One of the best fishing lakes in Colorado, Lake Granby is stocked with trout and kokanee salmon. This is by no means a complete list, but we are sure that none of these here will disappoint you. The famed salmonfly hatch is a must fish hatch on this river for any serious fly angler. Dermody. The rewards are worth the effort to get there, however. Something else that’s very important on these larger waters is a good reel with a strong and smooth drag. If you are looking for fishing or a nice view to picnic the lake area and trail head are a great. If you’re headed to the river and want to try someplace new, here are eight of the best trout fishing spots in the United States. From 1998 through 2007 the state record for lake … This is a great place to go for the ice fishing and a great place to stay for the camping. The best time to fish the lake is early and late in the season. If it’s more Trout you’re searching for, then a trip to the famous Cache La Poudre River is your best bet. Hey David here the maker of Guide Recommended. Below this lake, the tailwater provides some of the best trout fishing in the country. The Frying Pan tailwater also has some amazing hatches for the dry fly purist. Lake Granby also is one of the top Mackinaw fisheries in the entire country, producing fish in the 20- to 40-pound range. Rivers are our country’s lifeblood, tumbling down rocky tors and threading through vast canyons. Each part of the state has its fair share of waters that are wonderful for anglers. Navajo Lake. What is the best thing about this tailwater stretch? There are some surprises under those undercut banks, but most fish will be smaller brown, brook, or even cutthroat trout here. The tailwaters below Dillon and Green Mountain Reservoirs are particularly good for anglers looking for a trophy. Best in late summer, hopper fishing, streamer fishing and other traditional means can catch some excellent fish. He has a passion for the outdoors and sharing experiences with others. When learning how to catch lake trout, it’s important to know that they prefer light lures so consider stocking up on small spinners and spoons. A 2 or 3 weight rod and simple box of dry flies is about all you need on these streams. Thus, long leaders that end in 6x tippet are often required. Many anglers head to the mountain streams and rivers in search of the renowned rainbow trout. This remote water is not for the faint of heart or for anyone who isn’t in peak physical condition. Sprawling south and west through Grand Mesa National Forest, the Grand Mesa Lakes are a diverse group of 300 finger lakes in the region that are rife with trout and tourists year round.. The Blue River is perfect for when you want to fish and your spouse wants to shop. Lawn Lake and Big Crystal Lake (along the Roaring River) Mark Farmer, 36, of Lakewood, caught this trophy lake trout while fishing at Lake Granby on May 14, 2011. Fishing is best on the windward side of the lake, and smart anglers should look for mudlines developing. If you like fishing for pike, bring equipment to do that as well. The fish are plentiful throughout. Right after ice out is normally excellent. If you’re headed to the river and want to try someplace new, here are eight of the best trout fishing spots in the United States. In between the jagged peaks of the Mummy Range, Lawn Lake and nearby Crystal Lake, offer true wilderness fly-fishing, with green, brook, rainbow, and greenback cutthroat trout. Many of these larger rivers feature rather technical fishing at times. Pagosa Springs boasts that it has some of the best fishing in the entire state. Lake Meredith and John Martin Reservoir near La Junta are two of the favorite places to let the lures spin you into fishing paradise, but this is also where the Arkansas River really picks up steam with thousands of acre-feet of fisherman-friendly water. If you want to find those big trout, try streamers that imitate sculpins. While the cuttys are catch-and-release only, you can keep a legal amount of brook trout from the lake and the creek (as long as you’re fishing above the falls). Although there are some dammed-up sections of the stream, creating pools of warmer water, the trout are quick and abundant wherever there’s fast water. My introduction to fly fishing in Colorado happened when I was in college. The north lake is of particular note, which is known as one of the best trophy lakes in Colorado. On the other side of the country is Roscoe, nicknamed Trout Town, by the locals. #20 Best Value of 20 Fishing Resorts in Colorado “ From the idyllic setting on the banks of the Platt River, and the wonderful staff, fantastic food to the world-class fishing , this is the place to come if you want to relax and breathe. The largest natural lake in the state, Grand Lake is a fishing enthusiasts’ dream, tucked in the heart of the Rockies near the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Make sure to bring extra gear, like men’s fishing shirts, as the fast waters and colder climes may warrant many layers. One section, the Dream Stream, receives an influx of huge trout in the spring and fall. The best fishing on the Green River is in the early spring when the crowds are sparse. Hunting for big trophy trout deep down in the colder waters of a lake requires that you choose the best lake trout lures for the job. Wading anglers should focus on the stretch between Basalt and Aspen. Don’t overlook the tributaries of the Gunnison. 9,180-acre Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's premier trophy lake trout fishery. Pay attention to seasonal area closures and check the regulations for closures on the small stream that feeds the lake. In recent years, however, Granby’s lake trout have fared a little too well, and the predatory macks have impacted the lake’s Kokanee salmon population. Colorado River. Fish: Walleye, Wipers, Crappie, Rainbow Trout, Perch, Largemouth Bass; Distance From Denver: 19 Miles; Found within the Cherry Creek state park, the size of this lake and it’s location in the middle of the park make for some of the best fishing spots available. In the winter, the tailwater in Pueblo Colorado offers great fishing for big rainbow and brown trout when other area waters are unfishable. South Platte River . Anglers should have plenty of caddis patterns for summer fishing. Ice fishing is available throughout the winter months, with bow fishing for Suckers, Pike, and common Carp being allowed, as well as kayak fishing. Heaven among anglers, the high-desert valley of Alamosa is home to an enormous web of more than 1,400 rivers, streams, reservoirs and lakes, including the beloved Rio Grande River, which is fed by the surrounding snow-capped peaks. The north lake is of particular note, which is known as one of the best trophy lakes in Colorado. This fishing destination has gained an international reputation for fly and lure fishing. The state has scores of pristine mountain streams, lakes and rivers that are teeming with rainbows, browns and cutthroats. On windy days, a 6 weight might be a better choice. The green drake hatch is the main draw on this stream, but there are plenty of other hatches to bring up the rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout that inhabit this river. Colorado is home to three species of native Cutthroat trout: The state offers excellent fly fishing for these beautiful homegrown trout that are eager to eat a fly. If you don’t mind crowds and the constant oceanic roar of the nearby interstate, this is an ideal spot to fish on your lunch break or bring … Rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout all call this river home. Many come to fish the waters as much for the notoriety of the area as for the fish. South Platte River. You’re only allowed to use artificial lures and flies. Georgetown Lake is the first fishing destination on our list that puts you in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. This deservedly famous river holds big trout, some over 15 pounds, all year round. The Lake Fork is another special tributary that is worth exploring. 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