Tips for Winter Trout Fishing in Colorado

Cater to the Trout

Lazy fish, such as trout, prefer to wait until food comes to him, carried by the water's current. Trout also will eat from the bottom of the stream or river. During the winter, trout become less active because of the cold temperatures. You only need to find the trout's feeding zones, then use his laziness to your advantage by casting your bait in front of the trout's face. He will most likely go for the bait.

Shore Fishing

While shore fishing, catch trout by casting out your line, counting to seven, then reeling in your lure or bait. Repeat counting to 12, then to 15 and so on until you start catching trout. Counting in this way allows you to find zones or areas of the lake where the trout hangs out.

Ice Fishing

The number of anglers ice fishing in Colorado continues to increase, due to conveniences such as electronic fish locators and portable fishing shelters. The Colorado Division of Wildlife Hatchery Program also makes certain anglers have an abundant supply of fish to catch during the winter. As of March 2010, you will find good ice fishing for trout in areas such as Aurora Reservoir, Bear Creek Reservoir, Boyd Lake, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Georgetown Lake and Red Feather lakes.

Fly-Fishing

Visit fisheries such as the Roaring Fork in lower Colorado, or Silverthorne's The Blue River. Other recommended fisheries for the winter include The Frying Pan, The Williams Fork River, and the Big Thompson. You can get reduced rates for trout fly-fishing from private ranches in the areas from Lake Dillon to Geneva Creek. The top mile of Eleven Mile Canyon, located near Denver and Colorado Springs, attracts many fly-fishermen, with a good midge hatch at midday during the winter. Visit the "Dream Stream," a famous winter fly-fishing haven at the South Platte River that contains large trout. Bring a buddy to help spot the trout while you hook them then take turns.

Master Angler Awards

Enter the Master Angler Award Program and have your trout weighed and measured by a biologist of the Colorado Division of Wildlife or a wildlife manager. As of June 2010, the record for the largest lake trout is 45 5/8 inches long, caught in 2009 by John Ubben at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Donald Walker holds the record for the heaviest mackinaw trout at 50.35 lbs. in 2007 at Blue Mesa Reservoir.