Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
.jpg){kind=link}
Colorado
State, United States. Authority: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
Trout season 2027: all 50 states
Trout season 2027 guide: 50 statesPDF + online version · instant access
- Licence
- US$124.01Nonresident Annual (16+)
- Calendar lines open on
- 123 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 91.4 cmTiger muskie
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Colorado waters are open day and night, year round, except where stated in the special regulations (pages 11-39)
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–100 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger muskie2 statewide (1/day) | 91.4 cm |
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon, whitefish (aggregate, except kokanee)2 possession 8; plus 10 brook trout ≤8 in | 4 per day |
| Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, spotted (aggregate)2 statewide; smallmouth unlimited west of the Continental Divide; no statewide minimum size | 5 per day |
| Walleye, saugeye, sauger (aggregate)2 statewide; 10 on Arkansas and South Fork Republican drainages | 5 per day |
| Northern pike2 unlimited | not published |
| Crappie (aggregate)2 statewide | 20 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing License (ages 18-63)1 | annual (March 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027); Habitat Stamp $12.76 also required | US$44.87 |
| Resident Annual Adult (18-63)1 | annual | US$44.87 |
| Resident Annual Senior (64+)1 | annual | US$12.96 |
| Resident Youth Annual (16-17)1 | annual | US$12.96 |
| Resident One-day1 | 1-day | US$18.07 |
| Resident Additional-day1 | additional day | US$9.13 |
| Nonresident Annual (16+)1 | annual | US$124.01 |
| Nonresident Five-day1 | 5-day | US$41.04 |
| Nonresident One-day1 | 1-day | US$21.90 |
| Nonresident Additional-day1 | additional day | US$9.13 |
| Habitat Stamp (required once per year with annual license; waived for first two 1-day/additional-day licenses)1 | annual | US$12.76 |
Buy the licence on cpwshop.com
- Ages and exemptions1
- Youth 15 and under fish free (full bag without license); 16-17 need a youth license; residents 64+ buy a $12.96 senior annual license.
Good to know
License year March 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027 (13 months). Habitat Stamp required. Northern pike unlimited statewide (plus mandatory-harvest/unlimited waters listed); smallmouth unlimited west of the Divide (non-native control). Many waters have 15 in bass / 18 in walleye minimums (special regulations).
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- No statewide minimum size for bass or walleye (only water-specific)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- North Platte River (Southern boundary of Routt NF to Wyoming boundary) river View on the map
- Colorado River (Fraser River to Troublesome Creek) river View on the map
- Blue River (Green Mountain Res. to Colorado River) river View on the map
- Gore Creek (Red Sandstone Cr. to Eagle River) river View on the map
- Roaring Fork (Fryingpan River to Colorado River) river View on the map
- Fryingpan River (Reudi Res. dam to Roaring Fork River) river View on the map
- South Platte River (Cheesman Res. to south boundary of Wigwam Club) river View on the map
- South Platte River (N. boundary of Wigwam Club to Scraggy View picnic) river View on the map
- Middle Fork South Platte (Highway 9 bridge to South Fork confluence) river View on the map
- South Platte River (Confluence of Middle/South Forks to Spinney) river View on the map
- South Platte River (Spinney to Eleven Mile) river View on the map
- Animas River (Lightner Creek to Rivera Crossing bridge) river View on the map
- Rio Grande River (CO149 bridge to Rio Grande canal diversion) river View on the map
- Gunnison River (200 yds. below Crystal Res. dam to North Fork) river View on the map
- Arkansas River (Lake Fork of the Arkansas to Parkdale) river View on the map
- Colorado River (Canyon Creek to Rock Creek) river View on the map
- Blue River (Dillon Res. to Hamilton Creek Road bridge) river View on the map
- Taylor River (Tayler Park Reservoir dam to Almont) river View on the map
- Gunnison River (Almont to US 50 bridge) river View on the map
- Delaney Butte North lake View on the map
- Spinney Mountain Reservoir reservoir View on the map
- Steamboat Lake lake View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Colorado in 2026?
The “Nonresident Annual (16+)” licence costs US$124.01 (annual). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Colorado?
Muskellunge: 91.4 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- CPW Fishing Licenses and Dates (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (season March 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked: 23 September 2026.
Other areas in the United States
Would you rather go with a professional?
Tell us about your plans: with your consent, we pass your request on to partner professionals (3 at most) who can send you an offer. Free, no obligation.