Fishing Licenses & Events
Fishing Brochure
Habitat Stamp
Important Note:
Anyone ages 18-64 MUST
purchase a Habitat Stamp in order to buy or apply for a preference point or for a hunting or fishing license.
Potential Spearfishing Regulation Change
Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff are currently in the process of reviewing a proposed regulation to increase spearfishing opportunities in Colorado. This proposed regulation change would allow for additional opportunity for spearfishing, but would likely be limited at many waters by species, size and access as well as any limitations from a water body owner or lessee.
Recent public Angler Roundtable meetings were held in each CPW region where the topic of spearfishing was discussed in depth. These meetings have been recorded for your review. We encourage you to watch the videos below for general updates from waters across the state as well as a fuller view of all proposed fishing regulations and changes, including the spearfishing conversation.
Topic: Northwest Region Aquatic Updates and Reg Changes
Topic: Southwest Region Angler Roundtable
Topic: Southeast Region Angler Roundtable
Topic: Northeast Region Angler Roundtable
This proposed change still needs to go through internal CPW approval process and if moved forward, the Parks and Wildlife Commission would hear it for informational purposes only at the September Commission meeting. If approved to move forward it would then be an action item at the November Commission meeting. The public is encouraged to provide their comments in writing to Josh Nehring at josh.nehring@state.co.us.
Colorado Fishing
Fishing in Colorado equals opportunities to catch some 35 species of warm-water and cold-water fish. You can fish for a rainbow trout in a cool Rocky Mountain stream or troll for walleye on a sunny plains reservoir. Colorado offers everything in between, too. Choose to fish anywhere in 6,000 miles of streams and more than 1,300 lakes and reservoirs.
NEW: Annual fishing licenses are valid March 1 through March 31 (13 months). CPW provides a range of options for anglers from the annual fishing license to the one-day fishing license. Youth under age 16 fish for free. Buy a fishing license today!
CPW provides opportunities to
learn how to fish throughout the season. Check the
calendar for upcoming clinics.
Try the CPW Fishing App
The CPW fishing app is the official fishing app of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, providing you great journaling, learning and scouting capabilities - even with no connection.
Learn more at
CPW Fishing App.
Try the New Match a Hatch App
The match a hatch app is designed to help fly anglers identify the flies that are hatching in Colorado each month and find an appropriate artificial fly to use to fish.
Simply tap on one of the riverfly images that looks closest to what you see on the river to learn more about that fly.
