Rainbow Trout Fishing in Colorado
Top 6 lakes ranked by stocking volume
Colorado stocks rainbow trout in 6 known waters, ranging from small impoundments to multi-thousand-acre reservoirs. The lakes below are sorted by recent stocking volume — quantity isn't everything, but it's a strong proxy for how much effort the state agency is putting into a given fishery.
About Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are the most commonly stocked sportfish in the U.S. They're aggressive, hit a wide variety of lures and bait, and put up a spirited fight on light tackle. Hatchery-raised rainbows are typically planted at 9–11 inches and grow quickly in productive lakes.
Best seasons: spring, fall. Active water-temp range: 50–65°F.
Productive techniques
- PowerBait on a sliding sinker rig
- inline spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin)
- small spoons
- fly fishing with nymphs and dries
Top Rainbow Trout lakes in Colorado
| Rank | Lake | County | Acres | Total stocked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Mesa Reservoir | Gunnison | 9,180 | 57,959 |
| 2 | Lake Granby | Grand | 7,256 | 46,648 |
| 3 | Cherry Creek Reservoir | Arapahoe | 880 | 39,497 |
| 4 | Spinney Mountain Reservoir | Park | 2,520 | 26,289 |
| 5 | Pueblo Reservoir | Pueblo | 4,646 | 22,412 |
| 6 | Eleven Mile Reservoir | Park | 3,300 | 11,553 |
Gear for Rainbow Trout
Tackle that consistently produces. Amazon Associate links — we earn from qualifying purchases.
- rod: Ultralight 6'6" spinning rod
- reel: Light spinning reel (1000 size)
- lure: PowerBait dough
- lure: Inline spinners
- line: 4-lb fluorocarbon