Colorado Fishing, Year-Round

When we think fishing, we think Colorado. After all, there’s a reason that Field & Stream have listed Colorado as one of the best places to fish for trout in North America. With plenty of quick flowing water throughout the state, there are lots of places to continue fly fishing even as the weather turns cold. However, if you’ve ever considered ice fishing, now is the time to try it out.

Ice fishing typically has a bad reputation amongst recreational fishers—people tend to envision huddling over a hole in the ice, shivering, waiting for the elusive fish that is up and moving in the ice-cold water. Despite this, there is plenty of reason to love ice fishing—you’ll have access to spots you wouldn’t normally be able to access, and the catch rate is actually much higher than during the open-water season.

There’s plenty of fish to be caught under the ice, including rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, bluegill, and more. You don’t even have to go too far out of town—near Denver is Chatfield Reservoir, one of the most popular locations in Colorado for fishing during both the summer and winter.

So, if you’re ready to tackle the cold weather and take advantage of the ice spreading across Colorado’s lakes and ponds, take a look at these tips to help yourself stay warm and make the catch.

####Layer Up: Clothing technology has come far, and purchasing cold-weather gear designed to be layered with your usual clothing will do a lot to keep you warm. Always test your gear out for warmth, breathability, and flexibility before taking it out on the ice.

####Bring Snacks: Even if you have to wait a bit for the fish to bite, that doesn’t mean that you have to wait before having a bite. Bring warm drinks and healthy snacks that will help you feel full and keep your energy up on the ice.

####Stay Safe: When it comes to ice fishing, it’s always better to stay safe than sorry. Always carry an ice chisel to check the ice as you proceed, wear “ice picks” around your neck to help you pull yourself out if you do fall in, and always fish with a buddy.

####Explore Colorado, year-round: When you’re ready to have a home-base for all of your Colorado adventures, Colorado Mountain Realty can help. Learn more here about how we can help you find your perfect getaway spot.