Species / Rainbow Trout / Colorado
Trout & Salmon
Rainbow Trout Fishing in Colorado
The most widely stocked game fish in the country, found in cold rivers, tailwaters, and mountain lakes. Rainbows feed heavily on insects and eat dries, nymphs, and small lures.
Best Months: Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov
Plan by Month
Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Rainbow Trout
12 picks for October.
Parachute Adams #12-20
FlyDry Fly
Shop This FlyBlue-Winged Olive #16-22
FlyDry Fly · Overcast days.
Shop This FlyPheasant Tail Nymph #14-20
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyHare's Ear Nymph #12-18
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyPat's Rubber Legs #4-10
FlyNymph
Shop This FlySan Juan Worm #10-14
FlyNymph · After rain.
Shop This FlyEgg Pattern #8-16
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyWoolly Bugger #2-10
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlyInline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz
LureSpinner
Shop This LureCasting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz
LureSpoon
Shop This LureNightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Where bait is legal.
Trout Dough Bait Pea size
BaitPrepared Bait · Stocked lakes.
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Rod & Reel
Rainbow Trout Setup
Rainbow Trout
Fly 9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Spin / Cast 6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Colorado
Where to Catch Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Arkansas River
Tailwater browns below Pueblo Reservoir and a long wild section through the Buena Vista valley.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Blue River
Tailwater below Dillon Dam with big mysis-fed trout below the dam. One of the most technical waters in the state.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · Colorado
Eleven Mile Reservoir
High plains reservoir at about 8,600 feet. Rainbow and brown trout from shore and boat, ice fishing in winter.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Frying Pan River
A tailwater below Ruedi Reservoir known for big rainbows feeding on mysis shrimp.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · Colorado
Grand Lake
Colorado's largest natural lake, on the west side of the Continental Divide.
Lake Trout · Rainbow Trout · Kokanee Salmon
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Gunnison River
A Gold Medal river through the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge with a famous salmonfly hatch.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Roaring Fork River
A freestone with Gold Medal water from Basalt to Glenwood Springs that fishes well from drift boats.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
South Platte River
Tailwater gold medal water at Deckers and Cheesman Canyon. Tiny flies, big trout.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Yampa River
Runs through Steamboat Springs, with Colorado River cutthroat in the upper reaches.
Colorado River Cutthroat · Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Colorado
Shops to Stock Up
11 Mile Marina
Lake George, Colorado
This marina operates a retail fishing-tackle store serving Eleven Mile Reservoir anglers.
Boat access
Angler's Covey
Colorado Springs, Colorado
This fly shop carries fly-fishing equipment and tying supplies and has outdoor casting ponds.
Fly tying
Anglers All
Littleton, Colorado
Established in 1954, this fly shop sells rods, reels, wading gear and flies.
Recommended
Gear for Rainbow Trout
Bait
Berkley PowerBait Trout Dough
Floating scented dough for stocked trout in lakes.
Check PriceFly Rods
Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod
A smooth, moderate-action rod that is forgiving for new casters and protects light tippet.
Check PriceFly Rods
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
A complete rod, reel, and line outfit that covers most trout water and small-stream bass.
Check PriceFly Reels
Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.
Check PriceFly Lines
RIO Gold Fly Line
A trout line that casts dries delicately and turns over nymph rigs.
Check PriceFly Lines
Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line
A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet
Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Tapered Trout Leaders
Nine foot tapered leaders in 3X to 6X for dries and nymphs.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.
Check PriceNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
Check PriceSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check Price