The state has 2,000 lakes and reservoirs that offer diverse fishing experiences for every angler and every season, including Gold Medal waters, designated as the best places to catch the largest and the most fish.
Below are a few other locales to drop your fishing line across Colorado.
Gunnison County
Hundreds of miles of picturesque waterways and thousands of new fish released each year from the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery make Gunnison County a hub for anglers. The county holds records for the largest brown, rainbow and lake trout along with kokanee salmon and offers easy access to anglers in prime fishing locations including Blue Mesa Lake, Taylor Reservoir and the Gunnison, East and Taylor rivers.
Glenwood Springs
Nationally recognized for its fly-fishing excellence, Glenwood Springs offers year-round fishing on its two rivers, the Roaring Fork and the Colorado. Some enthusiasts suggest that winter is one of the best times for fishing in the area, although spring through fall is typically fishing season among the area’s anglers. Located in the Roaring Fork Valley is one of Colorado’s longest stretches of Gold Medal Water (the longest is the 102-mile stretch of the Arkansas between Leadville and Parkdale). This stretch is popular because of its accessibility to both the Roaring Fork River from the 44-mile Rio Grande Trail and the Colorado River from the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path.
Carbondale
A key location for fishing throughout the fall, Carbondale has three access bridges to the Roaring Fork River, which is perfect for wading and for trout fishing. The headwaters of the Roaring Fork spring to life at Independence Pass (elevation of 12,095 feet) and, depending on time of year, either roar or gently flow towards the Colorado River. Because of this quick decline in elevation, the Roaring Fork River throughout Carbondale offers a wide variety of water types and amazing views of fall foliage.
Southwest Colorado
The San Juan and Animas Rivers and Vallecito Lake in southwest Colorado are also included on the state’s list of Gold Medal Waters. The area’s waters are filled with kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, small mouth bass, German brown trout, northern pike and walleye. Whether anglers are beginners or seasoned fishers, this area offers something for all experience levels. The San Juan River is a technical river with some stretches that hold 10,000 fish per mile. The Animas River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in Colorado and has easy access from Durango by way of foot and bike trails that run parallel to the river. Vallecito Lake provides visitors with a spectacular mountain setting and easy access to full service campgrounds, RV parks and cabins.