Fishing on Open Space

If you are 16 years or older, you need a Colorado Fishing License to fish. You can purchase one online or in person at a retailer.

Colorado has a Free Fishing Weekend the first full weekend of June every year. Anglers of all ages can fish without a license anywhere in the state that weekend.

Live bait is anything that is organic, moldable, or scented. Power bait/Gulp, dough balls, live/dead fish/minnows, shrimp, crayfish, grasshoppers, cheese, chicken livers, scented lures, salmon eggs, fireballs, worms, corn and stink bait are all considered live bait. Generally, live bait is permitted in locations that are stocked by the Division of Wildlife. Self-sustaining populations (not stocked) require the use of artificial flies and lures only to better ensure a healthy, reproducing population.

Catch-and-release is a method of conservation. Unless you are absolutely sure you are going to eat your fish, you should release it. By practicing catch-and-release, you are allowing the fish to grow and reproduce.

Yes. Whether you are a fish or a human, stress can have negative impacts. A stressed fish has a smaller chance of survival if returned to the water. Follow these tips to ensure a fish has a greater chance of surviving and getting caught another day:

• Do not play a fish to exhaustion. Reel it in quickly.
• Use artificial lures made of hard plastic, metal, or artificial flies. Fish tend to swallow live bait and the hook becomes embedded in the fish’s throat. Hooks used with artificial tackle are often smaller and cause less injury to a fish.
• Use barbless hooks or bend the barbs down with pliers.
• Do not use treble hooks.
• If a fish has swallowed the hook, do not pull it out. Either cut the hook with needlenose pliers/cutters removing both ends, or cut the line as close to the fish’s mouth as possible, leaving the hook in the fish.
• When removing a hook, do not squeeze the fish or put your fingers in its gills.
• Handle a fish as little as possible. If you need to handle a fish, do it in the water. The longer a fish is out of water, the more damage occurs to its protective, slimy covering.
• To release the fish hold it gently in the water. You may need to move it back and forth gently so it can gain its equilibrium.

Large and Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Tiger Muskie, Walleye, Bluegill, and Rainbow Trout.

Float tubes, belly boats, and kick boats are all more or less the same thing. Some have two pontoons with a harness-like seat in-between, others are doughnut shaped, while others are U or V shaped. What they all have in common is that they are single-occupancy, non-motorized flotation devices.

Any watercraft that is not intended for fishing is prohibited on all open space properties except for Lagerman Reservoir. There, motorized boats up to 7.5 hp at wakeless speeds are permitted.

Swimming is prohibited at all open space properties.

The Cattail Pond at the Fairgrounds is a great place to learn. It is open exclusively to kids 15 and under. No fishing license is needed until they turn 16. Both artificial and live bait are permitted.

If you are a senior and want to take a grandchild fishing, Wally Toevs Pond at Walden Ponds is stocked with rainbow trout. Wally Toevs is open exclusively to people 64 years and older and their youth companions who are 15 years and under. Artificial and live bait are permitted.

Several Kids Fishing Clinics are held throughout the summer. Check the Hikes & Events Calendar for details.

South Boulder Creek at Walker Ranch has great fly fishing, as does Boulder Creek at Rogers Park.

Ice fishing is not permitted at any open space property.