Fly Fishing Colorado: 12 of the best spots 2023

June 26, 2023

Choosing to pick up fly fishing is a great way to enjoy Colorado’s vast, majestic beauty. And with so many amazing spots to choose from with fly fishing in Colorado it’s a really interesting and fun activity to do.

Before you start fly fishing in Colorado make sure you know all the regulations and licenses you need to fish. Statewide limitations apply for every place on this list, although some have additional restrictions or allowances. You can check out the 2023 Colorado Fishing Regulations for in-depth details about where you can fish and what you can catch.

For anglers with disabilities, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has programs to make fly fishing in Colorado more accessible. Visit the CPW accessibility website about 2 months before your trip to ensure you have enough time to apply.

Now lets get into some of the best places to Fly Fish in Colorado in order to help you decide where that next fishing adventure will be!

1. Cache La Proude River

Cache La Poudre is a world-famous place for fly fishing in Colorado, the only river designated as a “Wild and Scenic River”. It’s a beautiful spot for some of the best fishing in Colorado, accessible from highways but secluded enough to breathe in the Colorado views.

Fish Species to Catch Here:

Rainbow trout
Cutthroat trout
Cutbow trout
Arctic Grayling
Brown trout

Regulations and Licences: Different Cache La Poudre River sections have different rules. Check out the CPW guide to fishing the Poudre Canyon for specific information about the different areas for the best fly fishing in Colorado.

Accessibility: Using Highway 14 or Trail Ridge Road, there are lots of spots to hike along the river and many places for boating. The best fishing can be found at the headwaters.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: Fishing is great year-round but is best at the end of spring through the beginning of summer.

Tours or Guides in the Area: Liarflies

2. Arkansas River

For the best trout fishing in Colorado, you can’t beat the Arkansas River, especially since it’s also some of the best fly fishing in Colorado. With big shady brushes that hang off the banks and give shelter to a variety of fish, it’s one of the most popular and varied spots for fishing in Colorado.

Fish Species to Catch Here:

Blue catfish
Channel catfish
White bass
Spotted sunfish
Striped sunfish
Bluegill sunfish
Crappie
Redear sunfish

Regulations and Licences: Statewide limitations apply to the Arkansas River, although different sections also have their own restrictions. Visit the CPW fishing regulations for specific information.

Accessibility: The Arkansas River flows expansively through Colorado, with lots of access points throughout. Look for the headwaters near Leadville before the river flows south through Buena Vista and Salida.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: Around Mother’s Day every year, the Caddisfly eggs around the Arkansas River all hatch. This is when you can find the best fly fishing in Colorado on the Arkansas River, because more fish are biting, looking for the little caddisflies. However, winter also offers great opportunities to fish the Arkansas River when the conditions are right.

Tours or Guides in the Area: Royal Gorge Anglers

3. Colorado Springs

You can’t talk about fly fishing in Colorado without mentioning fly fishing in Colorado Springs. This area has a variety of places that are perfect for fly fishing and all within a fairly easy-to-reach distance. Making it a great spot for travelers who want to get a few places under their belt in the same trip. Anyone that’s over the age of 15 needs a fishing license for fly fishing in Colorado Springs and make sure you look out for special regulations in the individual places you go.

Some of the best places for fly fishing in Colorado Springs include:

The South Platte River (Specifically the Dream Stream Stretch): Between Spinney Reservoir and Eleven Mile Reservoir

Spinney Reservoir: East of Colorado Springs

Fish Species to Catch Here:

South Platte at Dream Stream Stretch

Brown trout
Rainbow trout
Cutbow trout
Kokanee salmon in the fall

Spinney Reservoir

Rainbow trout
Brown trout
Cutthroat trout
Yellow perch
Northern pike

Regulations and Licences:

South Platte at Dream Stream Stretch: Fly/Lure only. All fish must be released.

Spinney Reservoir: Artificial flies and lures only. Fishing is prohibited starting from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour after sunrise. The bag, possession and minimum size for trout is 1 that is 20 inches long. Ice fishing is prohibited. No bag and possession limit for yellow perch.

Accessibility:

South Platte at Dream Stream Stretch: Open year-round. Portions might be closed between September 25th and December 31st.

Spinney Reservoir: Fish easily from the shore or a boat in summer and early fall.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing:

South Platte at Dream Stream Stretch: Spring and summer are best, although it’s fishable year-round.

Spinney Reservoir: Spring to early fall.

Tours or Guides in the Area:

South Platte at Dream Stream Stretch: South Platte Fly Shop

Spinney Reservoir: FishHead Outdoors

4. Cimarron River

The Cimarron River is one of those rare rivers that’s both popular and often empty of anglers. Thanks to its fairly removed location far from most of civilization, the river with lots to offer doesn’t have to provide it to many anglers, making for some of the best fly fishing in Colorado.

Fish Species to Catch Here:

Cutthroat trout
Rainbow trout
Cutbow trout
Brook trout

Regulations and Licences: Statewide restrictions apply, plus snagging kokanee is permitted from Nov. 1st to Dec. 31st.

Accessibility: The best place to fish the Cimarron is close to the headwaters at the Gunnison River basin, although the whole river has diverse locations. The upper and lower forks can both be accessed from Highway 50 after a short hike.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: The Cimarron River can be fished year-round, but the best times are in the fall, specifically between August and September.

Tours or Guides in the Area: Rigs Fly Shop + Guide Service

5. Fraser River

Often overlooked on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park or the Colorado River, the Fraser River is a tucked-away gem that offers some of the best fly fishing in Colorado. With a shallow and narrow river, it seems like it’s not the perfect spot for fishing, but it provides a great location and lots of fish.

Fish Species to Catch Here:

Rainbow trout
Brown trout
Brookies

Regulations and Licences: Some sections of the river have a limit on trout, while others have restrictions on releasing rainbow trout. Check the CPW guide for specific information about the different areas of the Fraser River.

Accessibility: Several miles of the river are on National Forest land. If you visit Granby, you can pay a rod fee to access the Fraser there.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: The spring runoff through late fall is the best time to fish the Fraser. That’s when the caddis, BWO, and mayflies are around.

Tours or Guides in the Area: Fish Winter Park

6. Eleven Mile Reservoir

Conveniently located close to some of the other places for the best fly fishing in Colorado, this reservoir offers more than 3,400 acres to float or shore fish.

Fish Species to Catch Here:

Cutbow trout
Cutthroat trout
Rainbow trout
Brown trout
Northern pike
Kokanee
Carp

Regulations and Licences: Statewide restrictions apply. Ice-fishing shelters must be portable. The bag and possession limit which is for trout is 4. Only 2 may be longer than 16 inches. No bag or possession limit on yellow perch.

Accessibility: The reservoir is well-marked from the highways. There are lots of parking spaces for accessible fishing, with lots of shore and float fishing options.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: Midsummer until the end of October.

Tours or Guides in the Area: All Pro Outdoors

7. Grand Mesa Lakes

The Grand Mesa Lakes are a collection of finger lakes spread throughout the west and south areas of the Grand Mesa National Forest. There are more than 300 finger lakes to choose from. This is a popular tourist destination, although there are some more remote areas to choose from as well.

Fish Species to Catch Here:

brown trout
rainbow trout
cutthroat trout

Regulations and Licences: Statewide regulations and restrictions for specific finger lakes apply. Check the CPW guide for details.

Accessibility: Head south on Highway 65 from 70 West for the easiest access outside DeBeque. Look for campgrounds, parking areas, RV parks, and resorts.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: The end of April through November is when you’ll get the best fly fishing in Colorado. Ice fishing is possible, but extremely cold.

Tours or Guides in the Area: Altitude Outdoor Adventures

8. Lake Fork Gunnison River

If you consider sheer volume to be a qualifier for the best fly fishing in Colorado, Lake Fork Gunnison is great for you. The waters have more than double the amount of 14-inch or larger trout needed to qualify as a Gold Medal river.

Fish Species to Catch Here:

Brown trout
Rainbow
Kokanee in the fall

Regulations and Licences: Fly/lure only. 2 brown trout limit, minimum 16 inches. All rainbow trout must be released.

Accessibility: Taking Highway 149 southwest from Gunnison, you’ll see plenty of signage for access.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: Spring runoff through fall. Winters are fishable but can prove challenging for most anglers.

Tours or Guides in the Area: Montrose Anglers

9. Denver

Although many people don’t think of Denver for fly fishing because it’s such a lively and bustling city, Denver is actually a hub at the centre of some of the most beautiful places to go fly fishing. You have hundreds of miles of fly fishing streams within a 2-hour drive of downtown.

Some of the best places for fly fishing in Denver include:

Denver South Platte (from Chatfield Reservoir to 120th Avenue)

Bear Creek

Fish Species to Catch Here:

Denver South Platte

Trout
Walleye
Bass
Carp
Catfish

Bear Creek

Brown trout
Rainbow trout

Regulations and Licences:

Denver South Platte: 3 walleye limit, minimum 18 inches. Only 1 walleye over 21 inches per day. The minimum size which is for largemouth and smallmouth bass is 15 inches. Fishing is prohibited from the dam and within 100 feet of the dam or walleye spawning operation nets from March 15 – April 15 or until walleye spawning operations are completed. Fishing is prohibited on ponds in dog off-leash areas.

Bear Creek: Two trout limit above Bear Creek Reservoir. Catch-and-release rainbow trout.

Accessibility:

Denver South Platte: We can’t write an article about the best fly fishing in Colorado without mentioning the coolest fly fishing in Denver. This 26-mile urban portion of the South Platte is mostly accessible from the South Platte River trail that connects with other municipal public trails. This paradise for fly fishing in Denver is interposed in the city sprawl, making it popular with bikers and walkers. You can use the bridges to spot good places but don’t fish from them because of the risk of clothes-lining bikers and walkers.

Bear Creek: Jump on the I-70 and keep an eye out for the well-marked turn-off spots.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: Fly fishing in Denver can be done anytime, although fall is undoubtedly the best time.

Tours or Guides in the Area:

Colorado Trout Fisher

Colorado Trout Hunters

10. Rampart Reservoir

This is another great option if you’re looking to do some fly fishing near Colorado Springs. It’s a quick drive northwest of Colorado Springs for great fly fishing.

Fish Species to Catch Here:

Lake trout

Regulations and Licences: State regulations apply, and lake trout’s bag and possession limit is 2. Ice fishing is prohibited.

Accessibility: Open mid-spring to mid-to-late October.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: Spring and fall.

Tours or Guides in the Area: Colorado Friends and Family Fishing

11. Clear Creek

Don’t listen to the name creek; this fishery is more of a river, although it is true that the waters are clear and pristine. It’s a hidden gem that many drive by without noticing. A 20-minute drive from Denver, Clear Creek is a great choice for fly fishing close to Denver.

Fish Species to Catch Here:

Trout
Brown trout
Wild brook trout
Rainbow trout
Cutthroat trout
Cutbow trout

Regulations and Licences: Statewide limitations apply, plus artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to the water immediately.

Accessibility: Follow Highway 6. This famous run has lots of hotels and accommodations nearby.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: Peak season between June and the end of October.

Tours or Guides in the Area: Galvin Guiding

12. Lake Pueblo

For those who want to go a little further afield from Colorado Springs for fly fishing there’s this location which is also called Pueblo Reservoir and offers some of the best settings in the area for it.

Fish Species to Catch Here:

Wipers
Largemouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Trout
Walleye
Carp

Regulations and Licences: Within the Pueblo Reservoir State Wildlife Area, bag, possession and minimum size for walleye and saugeye is 5 in the aggregate, 18 inches long. Only 1 walleye or saugeye in the aggregate longer than 21 inches may be taken per day.

Accessibility: Stillwater fishing from anywhere on the 60 miles of shoreline all year long.

Seasons Best Suited for Fly Fishing: Spring to early fall.

Tours or Guides in the Area: Fishhead Outdoors

Enjoy Fly Fishing in colorado

In summary, fly fishing in Colorado offers a breathtaking blend of natural beauty, challenging angling opportunities, and a sense of tranquility that is hard to find elsewhere. Whether casting a line into a rushing river, exploring secluded mountain streams, or immersing oneself in the serenity of an alpine lake, Colorado’s fly fishing spots provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. So grab your fly rod, embrace the adventure, and embark on an unforgettable angling journey in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.