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Colorado · Fishing
Colorado has 847 fishing spots listed on Roamze, and they span just about every type of water the state offers: high-country lakes tucked into the Rockies, front-range reservoirs within an hour of Denver, and river access points along some of the most productive drainages in the West.
200 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 200 spots
Colorado has 847 fishing spots listed on Roamze, and they span just about every type of water the state offers: high-country lakes tucked into the Rockies, front-range reservoirs within an hour of Denver, and river access points along some of the most productive drainages in the West. You'll find lake fishing near Allenspark at Copeland Lake, stillwater options near Leadville at Crystal Lake Fishing Site, and reservoir access near Alma at Columbia Reservoir — all sitting at elevations where summer temperatures stay cool enough to keep fish active well into August. The western slope has its own set of options, including Aldrich Lakes near Meeker and Purdy Mesa Reservoir near Whitewater. Down in the San Luis Valley, spots like Salazar Number 1 Reservoir near San Luis and Deadman Lakes near Crestone offer a completely different landscape — wide open, high desert basin, with water that fishes differently than anything on the Front Range or in the mountains. Whether you're after a half-day outing from Fort Collins at Harmony Reservoir or a longer backcountry push to reach Bison Lake near Gypsum, the variety here is genuine. Knowing which type of water fits your timing, gear, and skill level makes the difference between a productive day and a long drive home empty-handed.
Yes, a valid Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older at all waters listed on Roamze, including reservoirs, lakes, and river access points. Some waters on state wildlife areas or within national forests may have additional access requirements or day-use fees — check with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before your trip, especially for spots in managed areas like South Park Ranger District near Fairplay.
Ice-off on high-elevation lakes like Bison Lake near Gypsum or Columbia Reservoir near Alma typically runs late May into June depending on the winter snowpack. Summer fishing from late June through August is the most accessible window for mountain lakes. Front-range and lower-elevation reservoirs like Harmony Reservoir near Fort Collins and Harris Reservoir near Rifle fish well earlier in spring and again in fall when water temperatures drop.
Roberts Cabin
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
May Queen
~30 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Dillon Reservoir - Frisco Bay
~32 min drive
Easy
Blue River - Silverthorne
~33 min drive
Hard
Father Dyer
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Timberline Campground
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Printer Boy
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Spruce Creek (Mohawk Lakes) #58
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Baby Doe
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Crystal Lake Fishing Site
~28 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Molly Brown
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Fancy Creek
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
riverGold MedalFly fishing
Cotopaxi, CO
brown trout, rainbow trout
riverGold MedalFly fishing
Silverthorne, CO
rainbow trout, brown trout
riverGold MedalFly fishing
Sedalia, CO
brown trout, rainbow trout
riverWild TroutFly fishing
Bellvue, CO
brown trout, rainbow trout
River fishing
CO
Lake fishing
Mack, CO
pondLake fishing
Denver, CO
Lake fishing
Kremmling, CO
Lake fishing
Meeker, CO
Lake fishing
Meeker, CO
Lake fishing
Grand Mesa, CO
Lake fishing
Altona, CO
Lake fishing
Telluride, CO
Lake fishing
CO
Lake fishing
Mesa, CO
Lake fishing
CO
Lake fishing
Hartsel, CO
lakeLake fishing
Pueblo, CO
Lake fishing
CO
Lake fishing
CO
Saltwater fishing
CO
Lake fishing
Stonegate, CO
Lake fishing
South Fork, CO
riverRiver fishing
Buena Vista, CO
Lake fishing
Walsenburg, CO
Lake fishing
Greeley, CO
reservoirLake fishing
Arvada, CO
Lake fishing
Wheat Ridge, CO
Lake fishing
Hayden, CO
Early morning and late afternoon are consistently the most productive windows at Colorado lakes and reservoirs. Midday sun pushes fish deeper, especially in summer at high-altitude lakes where the water is clear and shallow. At lower-elevation reservoirs like Purdy Mesa near Whitewater, evening fishing in late summer can be particularly effective as surface temperatures cool.
A medium-action spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range handles most situations at Colorado stillwaters. Inline spinners, small spoons, and PowerBait-style baits cover the basics for stocked waters. At higher-elevation lakes where fish are warier, lighter line in the 4- to 6-pound range and smaller presentations tend to outperform heavier setups. If you're fishing river access points like Crystal Lake Fishing Site near Leadville or Weller Lake near Aspen, a fly rod is worth bringing.
The majority of listings in Colorado's Roamze database are bank-accessible, including spots like Copeland Lake near Allenspark, Curtain Ponds near Wheeler Junction, and Mountain View Fishing Site near Twin Lakes. Big Creek Lake near Cowdrey is listed with boat access, which suggests a launch is available there. For backcountry lakes that require a hike, trail conditions and distances vary — check current access information with the managing agency before you go.
