8 Ice Fishing Lakes in Colorado

On all lakes, be aware of conditions, especially in those waters below 8,000 feet in elevation. Consult the Colorado Parks & Wildlife's ice-fishing safety tips. It's better to be safe than sorry!

The main season for ice fishing is December to late February, when the ice is typically sure and conditions are right. Before layering up and heading out, pop into a tackle shop for advice on the best places to go, the best bait to use and plenty of fish tales. Here are seven great ice-fishing spots in Colorado:

1. Chambers Lake

Nearest towns: Rustic, Walden
Fish species: Kokanee salmon, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, lake trout

About the lake: This 250-acre lake is situated 7 miles east of the top of Cameron pass on Hwy. 14. While cutthroat and rainbow trout are the most common catches, lucky anglers catch the hard-fighting kokanee salmon. Lake trout, also common in the water here, can measure in at a pole-bending 16-18 inches — look to the deeper sections of the lake for these lunkers. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Fort Collins DOW office at 970-472-4300.
Bait Shop Recommendation: North Park Anglers in Walden

2. Eleven Mile Reservoir

Nearest towns: Hartsel, Fairplay, Lake George
Fish species: Kokanee salmon, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout
About the reservoir: This 3,400-acre reservoir is located between Wilkerson Pass and the pastoral town of Hartsel. A popular body of water, it’s known for large rainbow trout, often measuring in the 14-20 inch range. For fishing reports and ice conditions, contact Eleven Mile State Park at 719-748-3401.
Bait Shop Recommendation: 11 Mile General Store in Lake George

3. Harvey Gap Reservoir

Nearest towns: Rifle, Glenwood Springs
Fish species: Yellow perch, rainbow trout, brown trout
About the reservoir: Set up shop around the boat ramp to partake in previous years' best fishing spot. Deeper sections of the reservoir seem to produce more perch catches — meal worms and shrimp have worked well for these fish in past years. For updates on conditions and other fishing information, contact Harvey Gap State Park at 970-625-1607.
Bait Shop Recommendation: Timberline Sporting Goods in Rifle

4. Trinidad Lake State Park

Nearest town: Trinidad
Fish species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, wiper
About the lake: The 1,000-acre body of water is stocked with roughly 50,000 trout each year, and while the majority of them are plucked from the water during spring and summer, winter ice fishing proves incredibly fruitful. You can drop a line anywhere on the lake except near the boat launch. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact Trinidad Lake State Park at 719-846-6951.
Bait Shop Recommendation: Big R Stores

5. Chatfield Reservoir

Nearest towns: Centennial, Denver, Littleton
Fish species: Rainbow trout, yellow perch, walleye, crappie, bluegill
About the reservoir: This 1,100-acre reservoir is easily accessed from Colorado’s largest city — Denver. The reservoir is perhaps one of the most heavily fished in the state, during both summer and winter months. Because of its size, no matter the crowds, a patch of water is always available for anglers. Patient ice fishermen can reel in rainbow trout measuring 18–25 inches in length, while two-foot-long walleye are also commonly caught. Stocks are frequently replenished by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, so don’t worry about arriving late in the season. For more information on this fishing area, contact Chatfield State Park at 303-791-7275.
Bait Shop Recommendation: Angler's All in Littleton

6. Crawford Reservoir

Nearest towns: Crawford, Hotchkiss
Fish species: Yellow perch, rainbow trout, crappie, northern pike
About the reservoir: Though dwarfed in size by its famous neighbor, Blue Mesa Reservoir, the 390-acre Crawford Reservoir is a hot spot for cold-weather anglers. Since it’s a smaller body of water, ice fishing season generally runs from January to March, a bit longer than its larger counterparts. Get updated fishing reports and ice conditions from Crawford State Park at 970-921-5721.
Bait Shop Recommendation: Desperado in Crawford (bonus: it's also a liquor and grocery store)

7. Lake Granby

Nearest towns: Granby, Grand Lake
Fish species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, kokanee salmon
About the reservoir: The frozen waters of 7,250-acre Lake Granby are a worthy stop for ice fishermen. Catches of lake trout more than 32-inches long have been reported at the lake, which boasts more than 40 miles of shoreline. Every January, more than 1,000 anglers flock to Lake Granby and its two sister waters, Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Grand Lake, for the Three Lakes Ice-Fishing Contest, a three-decades-long tradition. For additional ice-fishing information, contact the Destination Granby at 970-887-2311 or 800-325-1661.
Bait Shop Recommendation: Granby Bait N Tackle

8. Twin Lakes Reservoirs

Nearest towns: Leadville, Twin Lakes
Fish species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, longnose sucker, snakeriver cutthroat, white sucker
About the reservoirs: Home to the Leadville Rod and Gun Club's annual February Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby, the two bodies of water combine for 2,700 acres of lake trout bliss at the base of Mt. Elbert, Colorado's tallest peak.
Bait Shop Recommendation: Twin Lakes General Store

Want More?

Learn about fishing in Colorado's other seasons: Western Colorado Fly-Fishing Spots, Great Places to Fish in Colorado, Colorado Lakes

For more ideas on the best places to ice fish in Colorado, visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife's Where to Go Ice Fishing page and see our Colorado fishing listings.

Learn how to steer clear of winter backcountry danger.