Colorado Fishing Charters
Colorado fishing charters cover everything from guided trout floats down cool mountain rivers to warmwater lake trips chasing walleye, pike, and bass.
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Top Rated Charters in Colorado
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Colorado Fishing Guide
Colorado’s fishing scene is all about elevation and variety. Up high, you’ve got cold, clear rivers full of trout—rainbow, brown, cutthroat—running off the Rockies. Down lower, there are big reservoirs and warmwater lakes holding walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, even the occasional tiger muskie. Most charter-style trips here are run by licensed guides offering walk-and-wade or float trips on the rivers, or fully-equipped boat days on the larger lakes. Half-days are common for trout fishing, but serious lake runs often go longer to track down bigger predators.
The Arkansas River is probably the best-known moving water fishery, especially around Salida and Buena Vista, where guides run rafts or drift boats through riffles and deep pools. Over toward Glenwood Springs, the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers put up big numbers of wild trout and get solid hatches all summer. Blue Mesa Reservoir out west is Colorado’s top lake for kokanee salmon and trophy lake trout. On the eastern plains, spots like Pueblo Reservoir or John Martin give up wipers, crappie, and cats.
Boat access varies. Mountain lakes can have ramps, but you’ll also find lots of backcountry water that’s hike-in only. Larger reservoirs have marinas and outfitters that run deep-Vs or bass boats. Bait laws are strict—most trout streams are artificial-only, but live minnows and worms are fine in warmwater lakes. Popular rigs include dry-dropper combos for trout, jerkbaits and spoons for pike, and crawler harnesses for walleye. Bring layers—the weather swings fast up high.
Regional Fishing Highlights
Western Slope & Gunnison Basin
This area holds some of the state’s most consistent trout fishing. The Gunnison River, especially below Blue Mesa, has deep runs and tailwater-style clarity year-round. Float trips chase browns and rainbows using streamers, nymph rigs, and hoppers in summer. Blue Mesa Reservoir holds giant lake trout and gets a fall run of kokanee salmon up into the rivers. Early ice fishing here can be excellent too.
Front Range Reservoirs
Places like Chatfield, Cherry Creek, and Boyd Lake offer good warmwater options close to Denver. Local guides target walleye, smallmouth bass, and the occasional northern pike using electronics and trolling gear. Summer is prime, but early spring walleye bites can be strong. Shore access is decent, but the bite’s better from a boat.
Roaring Fork Valley
This stretch of water from Aspen down to Glenwood is a four-season trout factory. The Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers produce big browns, and float guides here work hard using stonefly patterns, streamers, and egg rigs depending on season. Water stays fishable all winter with midges and nymphs.
South Park & Eleven Mile
High elevation lakes like Eleven Mile, Spinney, and Antero are trophy trout spots. You’ll see fly guys stripping leeches and chironomids from float tubes, but there’s also trolling and bait fishing around deeper holes. Pike show up in some of these lakes, especially in late spring. Wind can be brutal, so mornings are usually best.
San Juan Mountains
Down south near Durango and Pagosa Springs, smaller rivers like the Piedra, San Juan, and Animas give up wild browns and cutthroat. Wading trips are common. In fall, the kokanee run draws anglers to the upper Piedra and Vallecito Creek. Guides use small streamers and eggs once the fish start staging.
Fishing Seasons in Colorado
Spring
As runoff starts, tailwaters and lowland lakes wake up. Walleye spawn early, and trolling bite picks up fast. Pike get aggressive in shallows. Trout action is steady on tailwaters like the Fryingpan and Taylor—nymphs and streamers do most of the work.
Summer
Prime time for mountain trout. Dry flies, hoppers, and float trips across western rivers keep guides busy. Lakes are at full pool, and trolling for lake trout, walleye, and kokanee hits its stride. High alpine lakes open up for cutthroat.
Fall
Big browns start staging for the spawn—streamers and eggs dominate river setups. Kokanee run up from Blue Mesa and other reservoirs. Pike turn on as water cools, and walleye chase bait near shorelines again. Less pressure once hunting season kicks off.
Winter
Tailwaters still fishable with midges and small nymphs. Ice fishing season takes over by December on places like Eleven Mile, Granby, and Blue Mesa. Lakers sit deep, rainbows cruise the shallows, and early mornings are the ticket.
Most Popular Gamefish in Colorado
- Rainbow Trout – 10–20 inches. Common in mountain rivers and stocked lakes. Hit on nymph rigs, dries, and spoons.
- Brown Trout – 12–24 inches. Found in big rivers and cool lakes. Best on streamers and egg patterns in fall.
- Cutthroat Trout – 10–18 inches. High alpine lakes and creeks. Dry flies, beadheads, and small spoons.
- Lake Trout – 18–40+ inches. Deep water in Blue Mesa, Granby, and Twin Lakes. Trolled with spoons and jigs.
- Kokanee Salmon – 12–20 inches. Reservoirs with fall runs. Troll deep or drift eggs during the spawn.
- Walleye – 14–28 inches. Eastern lakes and reservoirs. Trolled crankbaits, crawler harnesses, and jigs.
- Northern Pike – 24–40+ inches. Found in some mountain lakes. Jerkbaits, swimbaits, or dead bait rigs.
- Smallmouth Bass – 12–20 inches. Front Range and western lakes. Hit on jigs, tubes, and crankbaits.
- Crappie – 8–14 inches. Warmwater lakes like Pueblo. Minnows, jigs, and slip bobbers.
- Channel Catfish – 2–15 pounds. Plains reservoirs and big rivers. Stinkbait, cutbait, or shrimp on bottom rigs.
Colorado Fishing FAQs
Do I need a license to fish in Colorado?
Yes, anyone 16 or older needs a valid Colorado fishing license, available online or at most tackle shops.
What’s the best time of year to fish in Colorado?
Late spring through early fall is best overall, but tailwaters and ice fishing can extend the season.
Can I keep fish I catch?
In many lakes, yes—but most rivers are catch-and-release or have slot limits. Check local regs before keeping anything.
Are live minnows legal in Colorado?
Only in certain lakes and warmwater zones. They’re not allowed in most trout waters, especially west of the Continental Divide.
What kind of fishing trips are common near Denver?
Lake trips for walleye and bass are popular, but you’ll also find guided walk-and-wade trout trips within 1–2 hours of the city.
How far do you float on a typical trout trip?
Most river floats run 6–12 miles, depending on the section and flows. Full-day floats cover more ground and usually get better results.
Can kids fish in Colorado?
Yes, and kids under 16 fish free. Many lakes have easy access and stockers for beginners.
Is fly fishing the only way to catch trout here?
Not at all. Fly fishing’s popular, but spinners, spoons, and bait rigs work great too, especially on stocked waters.
What’s the deal with high alpine lake fishing?
It’s mostly hike-in with light tackle or fly rods. The trout aren’t big, but they’re aggressive and the scenery can’t be beat.