Trout fishing in Colorado

Updated: 1/5/2016

1. Upper Arkansas River (Silver Medal)

Over 102 miles through the confluence with the Lake Fork of this Arkanas near Leadville to Cañon City, the Arkansas River drops almost 5, 000 foot in elevation and passes from sub-alpine meadows through bouldered canyons and irrigated hayfields before entering Bighorn Sheep Canyon below Salida. Here, the lake transects a high-desert environment which house to its namesake sheep including a population of crazy brown trout and launched rainbows. With a warm and dried out climate throughout the year and almost 40 miles of community fishing access, Bighorn Sheep Canyon may be the Arkansas' prime fly-fishing location. Flows are supportive of wade fishing the majority of the year, and float fishing happens to be an increasingly preferred way to work the shoreline pockets well-liked by brown trout. Fish: Rainbow trout, brown trout instructions: From Salida, drive east on US 50. The canyon continues east near the lake for around 40 miles.

Fly-fishing regarding Animas River in Durango

Fly-fishing from the Yampa River near Steamboat Springs, CO

2. Blue Mesa Reservoir

Damming the Gunnison River in 1965 created the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of liquid, and a fly-fisher’s playground. With more than 96 miles of shoreline, finding a shady area to throw a line is not hard. Or, explore the acres associated with pristine reservoir by boat. Deep-water areas are best for landing lake trout and brown trout. Brook trout will stay away from the deep available waters, but are frequently found eating near the mouths of streams and channels that circulation into the reservoir. Rainbow trout are the most rich in these seas and can be found within the reservoir and lake places. Fish: Rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout Directions: From Gunnison, take Hwy. 50 west for nine miles.

3. Animas River (Gold Medal Waters)

The part of river moving from Durango toward brand new Mexico edge has-been categorized as Gold Medal liquid, quickly promoting communities of rainbow and brown trout 14–18 inches long. The bends, log jams, boulders and eddies are prime places to kiss the surface of the water with nymphs or streamers. One thing to bear in mind prior to going: the Animas River operates through Southern Ute Indian booking land into the south, and special permits have to fish this part. Contact the booking for more information on their particular requirements. Fish: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout Guidelines: Hwy. 550 south from Durango runs alongside the river. South Ute Tribe Division of Wildlife Site Management: 970-563-0130.

4. Grand Mesa Lakes

The Grand Mesa Lakes comprise over 100 all-natural lakes and reservoirs with pristine alpine water. These bodies of liquid provide a multitude of trout and perfect should you want to attempt landing a myriad of species. Boating is permitted on some, however all, associated with ponds. Be sure to read published signs before setting up. Lots of fish-laden channels which also bisect the region tend to be a good way to enjoy some solitude when angling for your after that big catch. Fish: Rainbow trout, cutthroat, brook trout, brown trout guidelines: From Delta, mind north along Hwy. 65.

5. Gunnison River (Gold Medal Waters)

The Gunnison River, which eventually feeds into Blue Mesa Reservoir, teems with trophy-worthy trout. You'll have some of the best fortune with nymphs. Drop a well-placed cast behind a boulder or turn to eddies and strainers for a high probability to pull out a 16-inch trout. Due to these regularly huge fish, the river has-been give Gold Medal condition — so make sure to pack your bigger net. Typically, trout were extremely big within the stretch of lake between amazingly Creek as well as its confluence with North Fork. But you’ll must hike in only a little means, as there clearly wasn’t a road to this section. Before it achieves the dam, the Gunnison River operates through the Gunnison Gorge nationwide Conservation region, so even though you leave empty-handed, the views alone makes the travel well worth it. Fish: Rainbow trout, cutthroat, brown trout guidelines: From Delta, simply take Hwy. 92 east for 11 kilometers until it intersects the lake.

6. Steamboat Lake State Park (Silver Medal)

Crystalline Steamboat Lake is defined because of the scene-stealing top-notch the needle-like Hahn’s Peak imposing throughout the northeastern coast. But also this size of earth is forgotten when you are reeling in just one of the lake’s many hard-fighting rainbow trout. A drift vessel is prime for accessing the deeper sections of that one, 050-acre human anatomy of liquid. For those without flotation, fishing across the miles of easily accessed shoreline is a favorite and efficient alternative. Fish: Rainbow trout, cutthroat, brook trout, brown trout instructions: From Steamboat Springs, travel west on Hwy. 40 for 2 kilometers to CR 129. The park entrance is 26 kilometers north along CR 129.