Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Colorado (Full Guide)

Colorado offers some of the best fly fishing in the world. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in Colorado can greatly impact your success.

The best months to fish in Colorado are typically May, June, September, and October, with the best times of day being early morning or late evening when the water temperature is cooler.

Month	Colorado Fishing Location
January	Blue River near Silverthorne is a great spot for fly fishing for rainbow & brown trout.
February	South Platte River in Deckers is a popular winter fly fishing spot for brown trout.
March	The Arkansas River near Salida offers excellent spring fly fishing for brown & rainbow trout.
April	In April, the Fryingpan River in Basalt is a great time to fish for big rainbow and brown trout.
May	The Gunnison River near Gunnison is a great location for fly fishing for rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout.
June	The Colorado River near Glenwood Springs is a great place to fish for rainbow and brown trout and smallmouth bass.
July	The Yampa River near Steamboat Springs is a fantastic location for fly fishing for rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout.
August	The Roaring Fork River near Aspen is a favorite among fly fishermen for its large rainbow and brown trout.
September	The Animas River near Durango is a great place to fish for brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout.
October	The San Juan River below Navajo Dam is known for its exceptional fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout.
November	The South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon offers excellent winter fly fishing for brown trout.
December	The Blue River near Silverthorne is a top location for winter fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Colorado. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Colorful Colorado Cutthroat Trout Caught and released Fly Fishing on smal stream near Telluride, Colorado

Best Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in Colorado

Animas River: Located in Durango, CO, the Animas River is a great spot for fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Roaring Fork River: Located near Aspen, CO, it is known for its large brown and rainbow trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Arkansas River: Located near Buena Vista, CO, the Arkansas River offers great fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Yampa River: Located near Steamboat Springs, CO, the Yampa River is home to large brown trout and rainbow trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Gunnison River: Located near Gunnison, CO, the Gunnison River is a popular spot for fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

South Platte River: Located near Denver, CO, the South Platte River offers great fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

North Platte River: Located near Walden, CO, the North Platte River is a great spot for fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout. The best months to fish are June-August.

Fryingpan River: Located near Basalt, CO, the Fryingpan River is known for its large rainbow and brown trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Rio Grande River: Located near Creede, CO, the Rio Grande River is home to brown trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout. The best months to fish are June-September.

Eagle River: Located near Vail, CO, the Eagle River is a great spot for fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Taylor River: Located near Almont, CO, the Taylor River is a popular spot for fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

San Juan River: Located near Pagosa Springs, CO, the San Juan River is known for its large rainbow and brown trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Blue River: Located near Silverthorne, CO, the Blue River is a popular spot for fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Conejos River: Located near Antonito, CO, the Conejos River is home to large rainbow and brown trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Colorado River: Located near Glenwood Springs, CO, the Colorado River offers great fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Dolores River: Located near Dolores, CO, the Dolores River is a great spot for fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Piedra River: Located near Pagosa Springs, CO, the Piedra River is known for its large brown trout and rainbow trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

San Miguel River: Located near Telluride, CO, the San Miguel River is a popular spot for fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The best months to fish are May-June and September-October.

Recommended Fishing Guides in Colorado

These Colorado-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
All Pro Outdoors	Littleton, CO
All Pro Outdoors – 11 Mile & Spinney Mountain	Lake George, CO
All Pro Outdoors – Ice Fishing	Lake George, CO
Brad Petersen Outdoors – Loveland	Loveland, CO
Lowry Outdoor Adventures	Columbine, CO
Love4FlyFishing Guide Service	Berthoud, CO
Rocky Mountain Outfitters Of Colorado	Twin Lakes, CO

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat trout can be found in Colorado’s streams and rivers, and the best time to fly fish for them is typically during the summer months of June through August.

Morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish, and some of the best locations include the Arkansas River, the Fryingpan River, and the San Juan River. It’s important to note that cutthroat trout are a native species, so catch-and-release practices are encouraged to preserve their populations.

Brown Trout

The best time to fly fish for brown trout in Colorado is during the summer when the water temperature is cooler. The best time of day to fly fish is in the early morning or late evening when the water is cooler, and the fish are active.

Colorado’s best locations to fly fish for brown trout are the South Platte River, Arkansas River, Roaring Fork River, and the Fryingpan River.

Rainbow Trout

The best time to fly fish for rainbow trout in Colorado is spring and fall. The best time of day to catch them is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Colorado’s best locations for rainbow trout fishing include the Arkansas River, the Roaring Fork River, and the Fryingpan River.

Brook Trout

The best time to fly fish for brook trout in Colorado is during the summer, particularly June through August when the water temperature is cooler. Early morning and late afternoon are usually the best time of day to fish for brook trout.

Colorado’s best locations to fly fish for brook trout include the Gunnison River, the San Juan River, the Conejos River, and the Rio Grande.

Northern Pike

Pike can be caught year-round in Colorado, but the best time to fish for them is spring and fall when the water temperature is cooler. The best time of day to fish for pike is usually early morning or late afternoon.

Some good Colorado pike fishing locations include Spinney Mountain Reservoir, Williams Fork Reservoir, and Stagecoach Reservoir.

Whitefish

Whitefish can be caught in Colorado all year round, but the best times to fish for them are in the fall and winter months. They are most active during the day and can be found in deep pools or runs.

Colorado’s best locations for fishing whitefish are the Arkansas River, Blue River, Roaring Fork River, and Yampa River.

Walleye

Walleye are a popular gamefish in Colorado, and they are typically caught in the spring and fall months. The best time of day to catch walleye is usually in the early morning or late evening.

Some of Colorado’s best locations to fish for walleye include Horsetooth Reservoir, Boyd Lake, and Cherry Creek Reservoir.

Catfish

Catfish are typically active and biting during the warmer months in Colorado, from May to October. They are often caught at night or early in the morning when they are more active.

Colorado’s best locations to fish for catfish include Pueblo Reservoir, Horsetooth Reservoir, and Brush Hollow Reservoir.

Bass

Bass fishing in Colorado is best during the warmer months, from May to September when the water temperatures are higher. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for bass when they are most active.

Colorado’s best locations for bass fishing include Pueblo Reservoir, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Horsetooth Reservoir, and Spinney Mountain Reservoir.

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch are most commonly found in Colorado’s reservoirs and lakes. Spring or fall is the best time to fish for yellow perch, as they tend to be more active in cooler water temperatures.

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for perch, and some good locations to try include Lake Pueblo, Chatfield Reservoir, and Boyd Lake.

Lake Trout

Lake trout are best fished during the colder months, typically from October to April, with the best time being early morning or late afternoon.

Some of the best Colorado lake trout locations include Blue Mesa Reservoir, Granby Reservoir, and Green Mountain Reservoir, where they can be caught using jigs, spoons, and other lures.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Wyoming, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Montana, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Utah, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Idaho, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Michigan, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Nebraska, check out this guide.

Best Fishing in Colorado on Seasonal Basis

Winter

Eleven Mile Reservoir for trout and kokanee salmon
Blue River (Silverthorne area) for trout
Stagecoach Reservoir for trout and northern pike

Spring

South Platte River (Deckers area) for rainbow and brown trout
Arkansas River (Buena Vista area) for brown and rainbow trout
Lake Pueblo State Park for walleye and bass

Summer

Roaring Fork River (Aspen area) for trout
Colorado River (Glenwood Springs area) for trout and smallmouth bass
Blue Mesa Reservoir for kokanee salmon, lake trout, and yellow perch

Fall

Fryingpan River (Basalt area) for trout
North Delaney Butte Lake for rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout
Animas River (Durango area) for trout and smallmouth bass

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Las Vegas. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Arizona. Click here to see a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Nevada.