From the Upper Colorado, to Dillon Reservoir and the South Platte River, Colorado’s fly-fishing stays open throughout the snowy months, and we’re ready to take you there. Check out some of our favorite winter fly-fishing destinations.
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What are the best months to fly fish in Colorado?
March, April, and May can offer incredible Colorado fly fishing opportunities. Almost all fly fishermen look forward to spring fly fishing. The ice, snow, and cold of winter are starting to disappear.
Can you trout fish in the winter in Colorado?
Winter fishing is best where water is released from the bottom of reservoirs, keeping the water slightly warmer. These offer some of the best opportunities for the winter trout fisherman. Some river systems, like the South Platte, have several different tailwater sections that are available to fish through the winter.
Where can I fish in the winter in Colorado?
- The South Platte River: Deckers, Elevenmile Canyon, and The Dream Stream.
- The Blue River below Dillon Reservoir.
- The Williams Fork and The Colorado River near Parshall.
- The Frying Pan below Reudi Reservoir.
- The Taylor River below Taylor Reservoir.
Is there a trout season in Colorado?
Waters of Colorado are open to taking fish, amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans both day and night, year-round, except as otherwise provided in the Fishing Regulations Brochure. A hardcopy of the brochure is available at all CPW Offices and sales agents statewide.
What is the best trout stream in Colorado?
- Gunnison River. The Gunnison River is special because it includes a section in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
- Upper Colorado River.
- Rio Grande River.
- Blue River.
What months are best for fly fishing?
Fly fishing season peaks between the months of April and October. Though, for fly fishermen willing to brave the cold weather, it is technically a year-round sport. Additionally, with an abundance of warm weather destinations, fly fishing can be enjoyed all year long.
What is the best time of year to fish in Colorado?
While all seasons can be productive in Colorado, spring continues to be the best time of year to land fish. Colorado winters can be harsh, and fish are subjected to cold water temperatures and less food. Once the weather warms and the runoff subsides, the fish enter a ferocious feeding phase and are most accessible.
Do you have to fly fish for trout in Colorado?
With tailwaters of all sizes, in every corner of the state, fly fishing for trout is reliable throughout Colorado. Because water is released steadily from reservoirs, anglers have minimal worries through the runoff season of late spring and early summer.
What is too cold for fly fishing?
DON’T FISH when it’s below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, you find those special situations when you feel like you must be out there. But people layer up and duck hunt or deer hunt in cold, snowy windy weather, because that’s when those animals are on the move. There are short, defined seasons.
How cold is too cold for trout fishing?
Trout generally are more active when water temperatures are in their comfort range: 45 to 65 degrees. They can survive in water temperatures as low as 35, but rarely do mountain streams get that cold.
How do you fly fish in the winter?
- Pick the right place.
- Slow and deep is best.
- Swing with a sinking-tip line.
- Look for rises.
- Stay in bed in the morning.
- Light tippets are usually more productive in winter.
- Know where the fish hold.
Where are the biggest trout in Colorado?
From the Dillon Dam in Silverthorne 34 miles north to the confluence of the Colorado River at Kremmling is where you’ll find the trout-rich Gold Medal waters of this river.
Where is the best fishing in Colorado right now?
- Rio Grande River. Placid waters of the Rio Grande.
- Gore Creek. Gore Creek is lined with pine trees.
- Spinney Mountain Reservoir.
- North Platte River.
- Upper Arkansas River.
- Fryingpan River.
- North Delaney Butte Lake.
- South Platte River.
How long is fly fishing season in Colorado?
The fishing season runs from April 1 to March 31 annually. Everyone over the age of fifteen needs to have a Colorado fishing license. You can buy them for a year or a day at most sporting goods stores and marinas, or some general stores.
What time of year is best for trout fishing?
It’s also year-round in most areas. Normally, the best months to target trout are July to Early September when the waters are at their warmest and many insects are hatching. Because of this, dry fly fishing becomes incredibly effective.
Is night fishing legal in Colorado?
Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, all waters of the state shall be open to fishing using all manners of take day and night, year around.
Is Colorado good for fly fishing?
Colorado is one of the best fly fishing destinations in the country. With the seemingly endless mountains of the Rocky’s that provide waterflow to the productive waters on either side of the continental divide, the fishing is both beautiful, and plentiful.
Where do you fly fish in Colorado?
Yampa River State Park One of the most prolific trout fisheries in Colorado is found just upstream of Yampa River State Park, a testament to the area’s fantastic ability to foster fish.
When can you fly fish in Colorado?
It stays open year-round, providing excellent fishing throughout the four seasons. In the winter, fish aren’t as aggressive as they were during the fall. Their metabolisms have slowed. But you can bet there won’t be much competition for the fish that are active.
What time do trout bite the most?
The truth is these are the worst times of day on most days to catch trout. What is the best time of day for trout fishing? The best time of day to catch trout is early morning from dawn until 2 hours after sunrise and the second-best time of day is late afternoon from 3 hours prior to sunset until dusk.
Can you fly fish rivers in close season?
You can fish for salmon and sea trout during the coarse fish close season, but you must have a migratory salmon licence and can only use certain types of lures and baits in some areas. Last year’s closed season was one of our busiest, as we saw many new anglers enter the sport.
How do you catch rainbow trout in Colorado?
Can you fish for trout at night in Colorado?
Species like brown trout, walleye and catfish are nocturnal and will feed aggressively after dark. Fishing at night is effective for catching brown trout. Photo by Jerry Neal/CPW.
Can you fly fish in Colorado in May?
May. Colorado fly fishing in May is highly influenced by weather and snowpack levels. Early May can find similar conditions to April and very good fly fishing while warm weather later in the month will result in high, off color water and tough fishing. This is a good time to explore some of Colorado’s lake fisheries.