Fly Fishing in Colorado

Colorado is home to 6,000 miles of stream and more than 2,000 lakes and reservoirs. With around 35 species of warm and cold water fish, it is an anglers paradise.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife has awarded 168 miles of Gold Medal streams. These rivers are the best to catch trophies and are specially maintained to preserve the excellence. When planning a fly fishing trip to Colorado, there are many Gold Medal streams in various parts of the state to keep in mind.

Northeastern Colorado Fishing Rivers

• The North Delaney Butte is stocked only with brown trout fingerlings that are 18 to 20 inches in length.
• South Delaney Butte
• East Delaney Butte
• Flowing across the valley floor, the North Platte River provides some of the best brown, brook, and rainbow trout fishing in the state.
• The South Platte River, from Cheeseman Reservoir to Strontia Springs Reservoir, is one of the best streams for rainbow and brown trout in the country. Along with providing anglers with fish of over 14 inches, it has beautiful scenery and nearby wildlife, such as bighorn sheep and a variety of birds soaring overhead.
• The South Platte River in South Park has big sized rainbow and cutthroat trout.
• At the Spinney Mountain Reservoir, anglers have the possibility of catching rainbow trout over 16 inches and large browns and Snake River cutthroats as well.

Northwestern Colorado Fishing Rivers

• Located 60 miles west of Denver, the Blue River has huge rainbow and brown trout.
• Anglers can catch trophy trout up to 10 pounds in the Frying Pan River.
• Roaring Fork has the best mountain whitefish in Colorado.
• Steamboat Lake State Park is known for its quality rainbow trout.

Southwestern Colorado Fishing Rivers

• Brown and rainbow trout in the Animas River average 14 to 18 inches in length.
• The Gunnison River has many trophy rainbows and browns with fish over 16 inches in length.
• Rio Grande