Colo Game and fishing

Fish Species In Colorado Waters

RAINBOW TROUT

These fish were introduced in the 1880s and have become both the angler's favorite and the mainstay of Colorado's hatchery system (millions of catchable and subcatchable sized fish are stocked annually). Rainbows can be found in most mountain lakes and streams, as well as many plains reservoirs. Physical characteristics that can help distinguish rainbow trout include dark spots on a light body, continuous spotting throughout the body, and often a "rainbow" horizontal reddish stripe. Rainbow trout may be caught with a variety of flies, baits and lures.

CUTTHROAT TROUT

Several subspecies of cutthroat trout are found in Colorado, of which three are native - the Greenback, the Rio Grande and the Colorado. The range of these fish has decreased due to a variety of habitat factors, and extensive recovery efforts are underway by the Division of Wildlife. Cutthroat trout can be distinguished from rainbows by heavier spotting toward the tail and the presence of a red slash on their "throat." Anglers may find these trout in high lakes and streams.

BROWN TROUT

The brown trout was first brought into this state in the 1890s and is now abundant from high mountain streams to broad rivers flowing onto the plains. These fish can be difficult to catch, but many anglers have good success during their fall spawning runs. A large dark spotting pattern and reddish dots can help anglers distinguish these fish from rainbows and cutthroats.

BROOK TROUT

An entry to Colorado in the late 1800s, the brook trout feeds on aquatic and terrestrial insects and will rise to a large range of small lures, baits and flies. Brook trout have white spots (worm-shaped on top) on a dark background with tri-colored outlined fins (orange, black and white). This prolific fish often becomes overpopulated and can out-compete other trout. They are typically found in...