Estes Park Fishing

The Catch of a Lifetime

With the Big Thompson River running right through the village, Lake Estes at its east entrance and the Rockies rising in nearly every direction, Estes Park is the scene of a mountain angler's dream. On any given day, fly fishers, bait fishermen and spin casters can be found testing area lakes and rivers while admiring the scenery. Fishing licenses are required for anglers ages 16 and older for all fishing and can be purchased at local outfitters and hardware stores. You can find out more about fishing regulations from the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website and their online brochure (the Rocky Mountain National Park. For information about fishing inside the park, visit the Rocky Mountain National Park fishing page.

The fish bite year-round, with the main fishing season running Memorial Day through Labor Day, sometimes into mid-October. Sections of the Big Thompson run free in the winter and the east end of Lake Estes near the power plant remains ice-free during winter. Ice fishing is allowed on all open-fishing lakes and ponds in Rocky Mountain National Park; hand-augers are required. Plus, fly hatches occur into January and February.

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