Varies — most stocked waters: no minimum. Wild trout sections: varies.
Slot: Gold Medal waters often have slot limits
Daily Bag Limit
4–8 trout per day depending on water type
Possession: Twice daily bag
Season
Year-round on most waters. Wild trout waters and Gold Medal waters have seasonal closures.
Slot Limit
⚠ Slot limit in effect: Gold Medal waters often have slot limits
Special Rules & Notes
Colorado has four tiers of trout regulations: General, Artificial Flies and Lures Only, Wild Trout (catch-and-release), and Gold Medal (special regulations). The South Platte, Arkansas, and Gunnison rivers have world-class Gold Medal sections.
Popular Colorado Waters
South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon)
Arkansas River (Royal Gorge area)
Frying Pan River
Gunnison River (Black Canyon)
Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir)
Tips for Colorado Rainbow Trout Fishing
Colorado's Gold Medal trout waters require skill — most fish are catch-and-release with artificial flies or lures only.
The South Platte below Cheesman Canyon is one of the most challenging and rewarding dry fly rivers in the US.
Common Questions
Colorado trout regulations vary significantly by water type. General waters typically allow 4–8 fish with bait. Gold Medal and Wild Trout sections have special restrictions including artificial only and catch-and-release requirements.
CPW designates Gold Medal waters based on exceptional wild trout populations — typically 60+ pounds of fish per acre with large average size. These waters receive special regulations to protect the fish population.
Important: Fishing regulations change annually. This page reflects regulations for 2026 but always verify current rules with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) before fishing. Some waters have special regulations that differ from the statewide rules.