Best Colorado Fishing Guide Trip for a Variety of Fish Species:

Rainbow Trout are one of Colorado's most sought-after game fish, known for their vibrant colors, acrobatic fights, and abundance in the state’s clear mountain waters. Originally native to the Pacific Northwest, they’ve thrived in Colorado’s rivers, streams, and lakes since their introduction in the late 1880’s.

Rainbow Trout are easily recognized by their distinctive pinkish-red stripe running along their sides, contrasted by a silvery body speckled with small black spots. Their coloration can vary depending on habitat, diet, and time of year, with some lake-dwelling rainbows appearing more silver, while river fish often display deeper hues.

In Colorado, Rainbow Trout thrive in cool, oxygen-rich waters, often found in mountain streams, tailwaters, and high-country lakes. They are also commonly found in many of Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs, including popular spots along the Front Range, such as Boyd Lake, Lake John, Delaney Butte Lakes and Red Feather Lakes. These larger bodies of water provide excellent year-round fishing opportunities, with trout often congregating near inlets, drop-offs, and submerged structures.

Rainbow Trout are opportunistic feeders, primarily eating aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Their feeding habits change with the seasons, making them an exciting challenge to target. In spring and summer, they often feed near the surface, while colder months push them deeper, where they become more selective.

Rainbows typically spawn in the spring, usually from March to June, depending on water temperatures. They seek shallow, gravelly areas with good water flow, where females dig small depressions called redds to lay their eggs. Unlike some trout species, most Rainbows in Colorado do not naturally reproduce in large numbers, so many waters are stocked to maintain healthy populations.

Successful Rainbow Trout fishing often depends on understanding their feeding patterns and habitat preferences. In moving water, look for seams, riffles, and deep pools. In lakes, focus on drop-offs, inlets, and areas with underwater structure.  

• Spring and Fall: During cooler months, trout often cruise the shallows, especially near inlets and rocky shorelines. Focus on areas with drop-offs and underwater structure.
• Summer: As water temperatures rise, trout move to deeper, cooler water. Look for them near submerged humps, ledges, and the thermocline—typically 10 to 20 feet deep, depending on the lake’s elevation.
• Morning and Evening: Rainbow Trout are most active during low-light conditions, making sunrise and sunset prime times for success.
• Shore Fishing: Target points, coves, and areas near inflows. Floating bait just off the bottom or casting lures that mimic small fish can be productive.
• Boat Fishing: Trolling along contour lines, especially near drop-offs, often leads to consistent action. Adjust depth based on water temperature and time of day.

Brown Trout are a prized catch among Colorado anglers, known for their wariness, powerful fights, and beautiful golden-brown coloration. Originally native to Europe, they were introduced to Colorado in the late 1800s and have since established self-sustaining populations in rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs throughout the state.

Brown Trout are easily recognized by their golden-brown body, darker along the back and lighter on the belly, with scattered black and red-orange spots surrounded by pale halos. Their colors can vary based on habitat, with river-dwelling fish often darker and lake fish more silver-toned. During spawning season, males often develop brighter, more intense hues.

Brown Trout are highly adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of environments. In Colorado, they are commonly found in cool, clear rivers, mountain streams, and tailwaters, where they seek out undercut banks, deep pools, and areas with structure for cover. They are also abundant in many lakes and reservoirs, including popular Colorado Fishing destinations such as Delaney Butte Lakes, and Red Feather Lakes.

Known for their predatory nature, Brown Trout are more carnivorous than other trout species. While they feed on aquatic insects, they also target crayfish, leeches, and small fish, especially as they grow larger. Browns are most active during low-light conditions, often feeding aggressively at dawn, dusk, and during overcast days. They tend to be more nocturnal than Rainbow Trout, making night fishing a productive option in some waters.

Brown Trout spawn in the fall, typically from October to December, depending on water temperatures. They seek shallow, gravelly areas in rivers and streams, where females dig redds to lay their eggs. Unlike Rainbow Trout, Browns often establish wild, self-sustaining populations in Colorado’s rivers and lakes, contributing to their abundance across the state.

Catching Brown Trout requires patience and strategy, as they are known for being more cautious and selective than other trout species.

• Focus on undercut banks, log jams, and deep pools, especially during midday when browns seek cover.
• Early morning and late evening are prime times, as Browns become more active in low-light conditions.
• During fall, Browns become more aggressive as they prepare for spawning, making larger lures and baits effective.

• Spring and Fall: Browns often cruise the shallows near shorelines, rocky points, and inlets during cooler months.
• Summer: As water temperatures rise, they move to deeper, cooler water, often near submerged structure or along drop-offs.
• Morning and Evening: Like their river counterparts, lake-dwelling Browns feed most actively during dawn and dusk.
• Shore Fishing: Focus on areas with structure, such as rocky points and submerged logs. Casting lures that imitate small fish or crayfish can be highly effective.
• Boat Fishing: Trolling along contour lines and drop-offs can produce consistent results, especially when fishing at varying depths.

Walleye are a popular target for Colorado anglers, prized for their tasty fillets and challenging pursuit. Known for their keen eyesight and nocturnal feeding habits, Walleye are commonly found in many of Colorado’s larger lakes and reservoirs, especially along the Front Range. These fish provide excellent angling opportunities year-round, with spring, summer and fall being peak seasons.

Walleye have an elongated, torpedo-shaped body with a golden-olive coloration, fading to a white belly. Their most distinctive features include a large, glassy eye adapted for low-light vision and sharp canine teeth used for catching prey. The dorsal fin is spiny, and their tail is forked, built for quick bursts of speed.

In Colorado, Walleye thrive in deep, cool lakes and reservoirs, favoring areas with rocky structure, drop-offs, and submerged points. Popular Front Range waters known for healthy Walleye populations include Boyd. Walleye are often found in deeper water during the day, moving to shallower areas to feed at dawn, dusk, and throughout the night.

Walleye are opportunistic predators, feeding primarily on smaller fish, crayfish, and aquatic insects. Their superior night vision gives them an advantage in low-light conditions, which is why they tend to be most active during early morning, late evening, and nighttime hours. During the day, they often rest near the bottom or along underwater structures.

Walleye spawn in early spring, typically from March to May, when water temperatures reach 45–50°F. They migrate to shallow, rocky shorelines or gravelly riverbeds to spawn, often near inflows or dam areas. Unlike trout, Walleye don’t build nests; instead, females scatter their eggs across rocky substrate. Colorado Parks and Wildlife actively manages Walleye populations through egg collection and stocking programs to maintain healthy fisheries.

Catching Walleye can be challenging due to their selective feeding habits and preference for low light. Here are some tips for success:

• Spring: During the pre-spawn and spawn, Walleye move into shallow areas, often 5 to 15 feet deep, especially near rocky points, shorelines, and inflows. Jigging or casting crankbaits along these structures can be highly effective.
• Summer: As water temperatures rise, Walleye move deeper, typically 20 to 40 feet down, often near underwater humps, drop-offs, and ledges. Bottom bouncers with spinner rigs or deep-diving crankbaits work well.
• Fall: Walleye become more active in shallower water again as temperatures cool. Focus on points, flats, and rocky shorelines using jigs, live bait rigs, or jerkbaits.
• Winter: Ice fishing can be productive, especially near structure. Jigging spoons, blade baits, and live minnows are common choices.

• Fish during low-light hours—early morning, late evening, or cloudy days—when Walleye are most active.
• Use live bait, such as minnows, leeches, or nightcrawlers, when Walleye are finicky.
• In clear water, choose natural-colored lures; in stained water, opt for brighter colors like chartreuse or orange.
• Troll at varying depths along contour lines to locate schools of fish.

Largemouth Bass are one of the most popular sportfish in Colorado, known for their aggressive strikes, acrobatic fights, and adaptability to a wide range of waters. While more common in warmer regions of the country, Largemouth thrive in Colorado's lower-elevation lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, especially along the Front Range.

Largemouth Bass are easily recognized by their greenish body, fading to a white belly, with a distinctive dark horizontal stripe running along their sides. Their most defining feature is their large mouth, with the upper jaw extending past the eye when closed. Adult bass typically range from 1 to 5 pounds in Colorado, though larger specimens exceeding 8 pounds have been caught in select waters.

In Colorado, Largemouth Bass are primarily found in warmer, slower-moving waters, such as ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. Popular Front Range fisheries include  Boyd Lake, and local ponds. They prefer areas with abundant cover, such as submerged vegetation, fallen trees, rocky points, and docks. During summer, they often seek shade and structure to escape the heat.

Largemouth Bass are ambush predators, using cover to surprise prey. They feed primarily on smaller fish, crayfish, frogs, and aquatic insects. Bass are most active during early morning, late evening, and overcast days when low light conditions give them a hunting advantage. In warmer months, they often retreat to deeper, cooler water during midday.

Largemouth Bass spawn in spring when water temperatures reach 65–75°F, typically from April to June in Colorado. Males build circular nests in shallow, sandy, or gravelly areas, often near vegetation or structure. After the female lays eggs, the male guards the nest until the fry hatch. During the spawn, bass become highly territorial, often striking out of aggression rather than hunger.

Largemouth Bass can be caught using a variety of techniques, depending on the season, water temperature, and time of day.

• Spring: During pre-spawn, bass move into shallow flats and coves. Soft plastics, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits work well near structure. During the spawn, sight-fishing with Texas-rigged plastics or jigs can trigger aggressive strikes.
• Summer: As water temperatures rise, bass move to deeper water or shaded areas. Fish near weed beds, submerged logs, and drop-offs using topwater lures early and late in the day, switching to deep-diving crankbaits, jigs, or soft plastics during midday.
• Fall: Bass become more active as water temperatures cool, feeding heavily before winter. Focus on rocky shorelines, points, and baitfish schools. Lipless crankbaits, swimbaits, and chatterbaits can be highly effective.
• Winter: Largemouth slow down in cold water but can still be caught by fishing deep structure with finesse presentations like drop shots, jigs, and soft plastics.

• Fish during low-light hours—early morning, late evening, or cloudy days—when bass are most active.
• Use weedless rigs when fishing around heavy vegetation to avoid snags.
• In clear water, opt for natural-colored lures; in stained water, brighter colors like chartreuse or black work better.
• Vary your retrieve speed and presentation to find what triggers strikes.

Smallmouth Bass are a popular sportfish in Colorado, known for their aggressive strikes, powerful fights, and aerial acrobatics. While more commonly associated with clear, rocky rivers and lakes in the Midwest, Smallmouth thrive in many of Colorado’s reservoirs, tailwaters, and rocky lakes, especially along the Front Range.

Smallmouth Bass are bronze to olive-green, with vertical dark bars along their sides rather than the horizontal stripe seen on Largemouth Bass. Their mouth is smaller, with the upper jaw ending before the eye. Typically, Colorado Smallmouth range from 1 to 3 pounds, though trophy fish over 5 pounds are occasionally caught.

In Colorado, Smallmouth Bass prefer clear, cool waters with rocky bottoms, ledges, and submerged structure. They are commonly found in reservoirs such as Boyd Lake. They often congregate around rock piles, submerged boulders, and drop-offs, using these structures to ambush prey.

Smallmouth Bass are opportunistic feeders, preying on crayfish, minnows, aquatic insects, and even small sunfish. They are most active during low-light periods, such as dawn, dusk, and cloudy days. Unlike Largemouth, Smallmouth often hold near deeper structure during the summer, making them more challenging to locate.

Smallmouth Bass spawn in late spring, typically from May to June, when water temperatures reach 60–70°F. Males build nests in shallow, rocky areas, often near shorelines or gravel flats. After the female lays eggs, the male guards the nest until the fry hatch. During the spawn, Smallmouth become highly territorial and will strike lures aggressively.

Catching Smallmouth Bass requires understanding their seasonal movements and feeding habits.

• Spring: During pre-spawn, Smallmouth move into shallows near rocky points, flats, and shorelines. Jerkbaits, tube jigs, and soft plastics like craw imitations work well.
• Summer: As water temperatures rise, Smallmouth move deeper, often 10 to 30 feet down, near rocky drop-offs and humps. Fish deeper with jigs, drop-shot rigs, and crankbaits.
• Fall: Smallmouth become more active as temperatures cool. Focus on rocky shorelines, points, and baitfish schools. Crankbaits, swimbaits, and chatterbaits are effective.
• Winter: Smallmouth slow down in cold water but can still be caught by fishing deep structure with finesse techniques, such as drop shots, Ned rigs, and small jigs.

• Fish during low-light conditions—early morning, late evening, or cloudy days—when Smallmouth are most active.
• Use natural-colored lures in clear water and brighter colors like chartreuse or orange in stained water.
• Target rocky structure, boulder fields, and underwater ledges, where Smallmouth often hold.
• Vary your retrieve speed and presentation until you find what triggers bites.

White Bass are a hard-fighting, schooling fish popular among Colorado anglers, especially in warmwater lakes and reservoirs along the Front Range. Known for their aggressive strikes and fast action when schools are located, White Bass provide exciting fishing opportunities throughout the open-water season.

White Bass have a silver, deep-bodied shape with horizontal black stripes running along their sides. They are often confused with wiper (a hybrid of White Bass and Striped Bass), but White Bass have one tooth patch on the tongue, while wipers have two. In Colorado, White Bass typically range from 1 to 3 pounds, with larger specimens occasionally exceeding 4 pounds.

White Bass thrive in warm, open waters of lakes and reservoirs, often following schools of baitfish. Popular Front Range fisheries include Boyd Lake State Park. They are typically found in deeper water during the day but move to shallower flats and shorelines to feed during morning, evening, and low-light conditions.

White Bass are schooling predators, often chasing shad, minnows, and other small fish near the surface. They are most active during spring and early summer but can be caught throughout the year. Their feeding activity often peaks during low-light conditions, and surface boils—where bass push baitfish to the top—can lead to fast-paced action.

White Bass spawn in spring, usually from April to May, when water temperatures reach 55–65°F. They migrate to river inlets, rocky shorelines, or gravel flats, where females scatter eggs that drift with the current. After spawning, White Bass return to deeper waters, often following schools of baitfish.

Catching White Bass often depends on locating schools and matching their feeding habits.

• Spring: During the spawn, target inflows, rocky shorelines, and shallow flats. Small jigs, spinners, and live minnows work well.
• Summer: As water temperatures rise, White Bass move deeper but often feed near the surface early and late in the day. Watch for surface boils and cast spoons, topwater lures, or swimbaits into the action.
• Fall: White Bass feed heavily as they fatten up for winter. Focus on windblown points, baitfish schools, and shallow flats using crankbaits, jigs, and small jerkbaits.
• Winter: While less active, White Bass can still be caught near deeper structure using jigging spoons, blade baits, or live minnows.

• Look for surface boils, diving birds, or baitfish activity to locate schools of White Bass.
• Use bright, flashy lures like spoons, inline spinners, or crankbaits to trigger reaction strikes.
• Fish during early morning, late evening, or cloudy days when White Bass are most active near the surface.
• Vary retrieve speed and depth until you find the feeding zone.