Colorado
Fishing
A resident fishing license in Colorado costs $36 a year and a non-resident license $96, as of May 2026. This guide lists 5 top species (Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Cutthroat trout, Kokanee salmon, Smallmouth bass) and 5 notable waters, led by South Platte River and Colorado River. Colorado has no saltwater coast and a notable wild trout fishery; it earns an A- grade here, shared with 7 other states.
Top Species
Resident License
Non-Resident License
Notable Waters
Saltwater Access
Trout Streams
World-Class Distinction
Wildlife Agency
Colorado has over 2,000 miles of designated Gold Medal water — streams rated at the highest quality for trout fishing. The South Platte River above Denver, the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge, and the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon are among the most famous fly fishing destinations in the country. Native cutthroat trout in high-mountain lakes are a specific Colorado experience that no other state replicates at the same scale.
The rivers run cold and clear, and the hatch cycles are well-documented. Pale morning duns on the South Platte, caddis on the Arkansas, blue-winged olives on the Gunnison — Colorado dry-fly fishing has a culture and literature around it. The ski towns sit on blue-ribbon water. You can ski in the morning and fish in the afternoon for much of the year.
Resident licenses cost $36. Crowds are real on the famous reaches, particularly within two hours of Denver. If you want solitude, the wilderness streams in the San Juan Mountains require a hike, but they hold cutthroat trout in water that has not seen a fly since last summer.
Colorado has 2,000+ miles of designated Gold Medal and Wild Trout waters. The South Platte, Arkansas, and Gunnison rivers are world-class dry-fly fisheries. Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water in Colorado and produces trophy kokanee salmon.
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Also on Colorado: the full Colorado profile covers taxes, cost of living, crime and schools, and the county map lets you compare every county in the state. For related rules, read the Colorado country music guide and the Colorado gambling laws guide.
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Sources: State wildlife agencies, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bassmaster, Field & Stream, In-Fisherman, Fly Fisherman magazine. License costs reflect annual resident/non-resident fishing license only; additional stamps (trout, salmon) may apply. Updated May 2026.