Colorado Fishing License

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Its 8,000 miles of rivers and 2,000 lakes is what makes Colorado a fishing haven for most anglers. The waters teem with 35 classes of fish, both warm and cold.

This section provides you with different links on the requirements and steps needed in applying for a fishing license. Also, you may want to read up on the various guidelines about fishing in the region. Securing a license can easily be done through the Colorado Game and Fish Department website or you may also opt to buy one personally from accredited resellers such as tackle shop or a local athletic store.

Once you have your fishing license, your next move should be to familiarize yourself with the local laws on fishing in Colorado. A number of protocols and regulations are to be followed in order to safeguard the population of marine life in the area. Keep an eye out for updates before leaving for your trip.

Proper fishing etiquette promotes camaraderie between anglers and locals. Equipping yourself with suitable fishing practices will also help in conserving marine life and their habitats. By working together, we can build an environment that would benefit us and various wildlife in the region.

With more than 6,000 miles of spectacular rivers and streams and more than 2,000 reservoirs and lakes, Colorado is home for more than 35 species of fish -- including trophy size rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and walleye pike. It’s scenic waters, and rich biodiversity is one of the reasons why Colorado is definitely a place to go to if you want to enjoy a fishing activity with your family and friends. 

With all these beauties, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (CPW), the state agency mandated to protect the biodiversity, sustainability, and beauty of wildlife -- including fish -- in Colorado, requires anglers to purchase a fishing license first. The funds collected from the sales of fishing licenses go directly to the organization. They are used to maintain hatcheries and stocking programs, studies for conservation and disease prevention, as well as programs, to encourage more women and children to take up the sport. 

Who needs a Colorado Fishing License? 

Similar to other states, any angler who is 16 years of age and older, are required to acquire a fishing license from the state of Colorado before they are allowed to fish in public waters across the area. While both residents and non-residents are eligible to procure a fishing license, the application is separate, and the cost varies. For clarity, a Colorado resident is someone who has lived in CO for more than six months continuously. Proof of residencies such as a state-issued driver’s license, social security number, or utility or income tax bill may be requested from anyone who wishes to purchase a resident fishing license in Colorado. It is also important to note that a CO fishing license is valid for an entire year starting April 1 and would expire every March 31 next year. 

Free Fishing in Colorado

Colorado is one of the few states that have an open fishing season. This means that for a particular duration, anyone can fish in public waters all across the state without the need for a license. In CO, the first full weekend in June is a free weekend when anybody can fish without a fishing license.

Different Types of Fishing Licenses in Colorado

As earlier mentioned, the cost of a fishing license in Colorado is contingent on whether you are a resident or non-resident. On top of the permit and with some exceptions, anglers are also required to buy a $10 Habitat Stamp along with their fishing license before they are allowed to fish in the state. Here is a summary of the cost of the different licenses and fees that are needed to be secured before anglers are permitted to fish in Colorado: 

License & Other Fees​

Resident

Nonresident

​Annual Aquatic Nuisance Species ​(ANS) Stamp​

​​$25.00​

$50.00​

Annual Fishing License (18 and older)

$34.75

$96.75

Small Game & Fishing combo (If born after 1948, you must show hunter education card)

$49.75

N/A

Senior Annual (65 years and older)

$9.75

N/A

Senior Low Income Lifetime Fishing License (65 and older)

$9.75

N/A

Five-day Fishing License

N/A

$31.75

One-day Fishing License

$13.75

$16.75

Additional-day

​$6.75

$6.75

2nd Rod Stamp (Available to licensed residents, licensed nonresidents

and youth under 16 years, licensed or unlicensed.)

$10.75

$10.75

Youth (16-17)

Second-rod charge still applies.

$9.​75

Free

As shown in the matrix above, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is selling an annual fishing license to both residents and non-residents for only $34.75 and $96.75, respectively. In case you don’t need a yearly fishing license, you can also purchase a one-day license for $13.75 (residents) and $16.75 (non-residents). Non-residents can also purchase a five-day license for only $31.75. You can also add another day to your fishing itinerary by purchasing an additional-day permit on top of your one- or five-day license for only $6.75 for both residents and non-residents. 

Anglers who are using two rods when fishing are also required to secure a 2nd Rod Stamp. The 2nd Rod Stamp can be bought for $10.75. All licensed residents, licensed non-residents, and youth under 16 years, licensed or unlicensed, are eligible to purchase the said stamp.

To purchase the right license for you, you must show proof of your status and, if required, your age. Your social security number may also be needed. If you are planning to buy a Senior Low Income Lifetime Fishing License, you have to present a proof of your income by bringing your latest tax returns or an affidavit explaining your situation.

Please note that the fees described above also include a $0.35 search and rescue and a $1.50 Wildlife Education Fund surcharge. It is also essential to understand that an additional $10.00 will be added to your bill for the Habitat Stamp when you purchase your first license for the year. Furthermore, paying the license fees also include a $0.25 search and rescue fee and a $0.75 fee for the Wildlife Council. 

Exceptions to Colorado License requirements

The state of Colorado also recognizes certain circumstances and have made it into policy to exempt the following from the required resident fishing license:

  1. Colorado residents on active duty with the Armed Forces out of state can fish free for 30 days while on temporary leave. 
  2. Disability licenses can be obtained by the special application from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. 

Where to buy a fishing license in Colorado?

The most straightforward way to purchase a CO fishing license is to get it from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission offices. There are three ways to do that. The first one is to visit their official website by following this link (http://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/Fishing.aspx) and purchase a license online. You can also call their toll-free number at 1-800-244-5613 to make an order, and their sales associate will assist you. And of course, you can always visit their offices in person and directly buy from them. If you order your license online or by phone, your license should arrive by mail within 14 days. If it is necessary for you to get into the water before your license comes, you can use your TAM as a substitute until your license is sent to you. 

You may also opt to purchase your CO fishing licenses from one of the many license agents such as sporting goods stores or fly fishing shops throughout the state to pick up the necessary license in person. There are hundreds of official vendors all across the state, including tackle stores, hardware stores, and Walmart.

Lost/Stolen Colorado Fishing License

In the unfortunate event that your license was stolen or lost, you can contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission offices or in the store where you bought it and explain to them what happened. You should be eligible to get a reprint. You may also submit an affidavit of lost that details how you lost your license and head to your local license retailer to get it replaced. The cost of the replacement license also varies depending on the type of license that was lost. 

Daily Limits and other general fishing regulations in Colorado

As sustainability is a goal of conserving the fishing waters of Colorado, the state has also imposed a daily limit on regulated species such as trout, char, grayling, walleye, and other species. Here are some critical daily limits that you need to remember when fishing across the state:

  • The daily limit for trout, char, grayling, and salmon is four fish, with a total possession limit of eight. The limitations include all species of trout found in the state. However, anglers are allowed to keep ten additional brook trout per day, provided that they are less than 8 inches in length. You can also legally keep up to 10 Kokanee salmons a day. 
  • Only five walleye and/or sauger from most rivers and reservoirs are allowed for each angler. However, some waters may allow up to as many as 10 per day, depending on locations. 
  • You can keep up to five largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass in most places, although there is no limit on smallmouth bass caught in waters west of the Continental Divide. The limit for white, wiper and striped bass is 10 in most waters, but a few locations allow you to keep twice this many.
  • Up to 10 catfish, no matter the species per day, are allowed to be caught per angler, while the limit for most panfish—including crappie, bluegill, perch, and others—is 20. Note that you can catch and keep as many yellow perch as you like west of the Continental Divide.
  • There is no daily limit for anglers catching pike, whitefish, or bullhead.

On top of this, you must always check the daily fishing limits for each species in every fishing location you are in. Limits rarely change, but when they do, announcements are usually made. For more information, you can check out the Colorado Fishing Brochure to orient you with other regulations imposed by the state on fishing activities in its waters. Here’s a downloadable link for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the requirements for purchasing a license in Colorado? 

The Colorado Parks & Wildlife Department only requires you to complete the following steps:

  • Provide your name, residency, and some personal information
  • Choose which license you wish to purchase—i.e., how many rod stamps you want and how long you want your license for
  • Verify your purchase and select your delivery method

Q: What are the top fishing spots in Colorado?

Steamboat Lake, Rifle Gap Reservoir, and Lake Pueblo State Park are the top three highly rated fishing spots in Colorado.

Q: What are the common catches in Colorado?

Colorado has different species of fish that you can catch when you decide to fish its waters. Some examples include the Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Green Sunfish, and Brown Trout. 

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