Colorado
Fishing License 2026.

License required?

Yes

Where to apply?

Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW). Online at cpwshop.com, by phone (1-800-244-5613), or at 600+ retail agents (Walmart, Bass Pro, local fly shops).

Cost

Resident annual: $44.87. Non-resident annual: $124.01. 1-day: $18.48 both. Additional day add-on: $9.43. Youth resident (16–17): $11.73. Habitat Stamp ($12.76) required for all anglers 18–64 on annual licenses.

Validity

Annual (Mar 1 – Mar 31 next year) or 1-day

Available online?

Yes

Colorado is fly-fishing country — 322 miles of 'Gold Medal Waters' hold premier trophy trout streams. Required for ages 16+. Habitat Stamp ($12.76) is bundled into every annual license for adults 18–64 and funds habitat acquisition. Second Rod Stamp ($5) allows fishing with two rods on most waters.

Closed seasons

Most waters open year-round. Some high-alpine lakes iced over Nov–May (natural closure). Select wild-trout streams have seasonal catch-and-release windows during spawn. Kokanee snagging season Sep–Jan on designated reservoirs only.

Catch limits

Trout (rainbow/brown/brook/cutthroat): 4/day combined statewide (stricter on Gold Medal Waters — often 2 fish 16" min or catch-and-release). Kokanee salmon: 10/day. Walleye: 5/day 18" min. Largemouth/smallmouth bass: 5/day combined.

Prohibited methods

Flies and lures only on Gold Medal Waters designated sections. Live bait banned on many wild-trout streams. Snagging prohibited except during kokanee season on listed reservoirs.

Catch & Release

Mandatory on designated Wild Trout Water and Catch-and-Release sections (South Platte Deckers, Cheesman Canyon, Dream Stream). Required for native greenback cutthroat and any fish outside slot.

'Gold Medal Waters' designation (322 miles across 13 streams + 3 lakes) guarantees trophy-class habitat with 60+ lbs of trout per acre and at least 12 fish over 14" per acre. Check regional regulations — each drainage has specific rules.

Best season

Trout: May–October (peak July–September). Kokanee snagging: September–January. Ice fishing: December–March on reservoirs. Runoff muddies freestones May–June — fish tailwaters then.

Freshwater

9,000+ miles of trout streams + 2,000 lakes/reservoirs. Gold Medal Waters concentrate the best public trout fishing in the Lower 48. High-alpine lakes (11,000 ft+) hold golden trout + cutthroat.

Saltwater

None (landlocked Rocky Mountain state).

Equipment

Orvis + Trouts Fly Fishing in Denver. World-class fly shops in Vail, Aspen, Steamboat, Salida, Basalt (Taylor Creek). Rod rentals at every major trout town.

Fishing guides

$450–$650/day wade trip (1–2 anglers). $600–$900/day float trip drift boat. $400–$550 half-day Denver-area options.

Transport

DEN (Denver) main hub. Rental car essential — Gold Medal Waters scattered across the state. I-70 corridor serves South Platte, Fryingpan, Taylor. Ski-town airports (Aspen ASE, Eagle EGE) in summer.

Safety

Altitude sickness above 8,000 ft — acclimate first day. Afternoon thunderstorms July–August (lightning #1 hazard, exit open water). Giardia in backcountry streams — filter water. Hypothermia possible even in summer at altitude.

License fees

$45–$124 annual + $12.76 Habitat Stamp; $18–$37 daily

Guide prices

$400–$650 wade; $600–$900 float trip

Daily budget

Budget: $100–$150/day DIY. Guided: $500–$900/day.