"Perhaps fishing is, for me, only an excuse to be near rivers. If so, I'm glad I thought of it"
Roderick L. Haig-Brown A River Never Sleeps (1946)
A short film about the experience of catching that first fish, told through the eyes of a 5 year old boy.
Colorado is a stunningly beautiful state with a variety of fishing opportunity. From the flats of the plains, to the valleys of the mountains and beyond, you can find whatever fishing experience you're looking for. We, at Colorado Trout Unlimited, encourage you to go outside and explore all Colorado has to offer. The absolute best way to get started is to first visit one of our partner fly shops. Within them you will find dedicated staff who can advise you on where to go and what to take with you. In addition to outfitting, these shops will also have advice on the right guides to hire, learn to fish classes and more.
You'll find many resources online to help you plan your fishing excursion. The best place to start is with a fishing license!
Colorado Gold Medal Waters
Colorado Parks and Wildlife may designate a water as “Gold Medal” once it has demonstrated that the fishery consistently produces a trout standing stock of at least 60 pounds per acre and produces an average of at least 12 “quality trout” (14+ inches) per acre. Gold Medal water designation can only be applied to waters that are accessible for fishing by the general angling public. River segments must be at least 2 miles in length and lakes must be a minimum of 50 acres. Currently, 11 different rivers and three lakes account for nearly 325 miles of Gold Medal waters statewide, highlighted on the map.
Colorado is notorious for having drought conditions and high temps in the summer. Please be advised before you make your trip out to check local regulations and water temperatures. A water thermometer is another great tool to add to your fishing bag for your next trip.
Colorado Trout Unlimited's Local Chapters and Fly Shops
Trout Unlimited Colorado Chapters
Fly Shops and Businesses that support CTU
