Colorado Fishing License 2026 —
Requirements, Fees & Where to Buy
Complete guide to Colorado fishing license requirements for residents and non-residents. Covers all license types, fees, age exemptions, endorsements, season dates, and direct links to purchase from the official Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Colorado Fishing License Types & Fees
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers several fishing license types depending on your residency, the water type you're fishing, and how long you need the license.
| License Type | Fee | Valid Period | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Fishing License (Annual) | $35.08 | 1 year | |
| Youth Fishing License (Under 16) | $0.00 | 1 year | Free in most states for anglers under 16 — confirm exemption age with your state agency. |
| Resident Fishing License (1-Day) | $14.46 | 1 day | Sourced from takemefishing.org (verify current fee at official agency website) |
| Resident 3-Day Fishing License | $17.54 | 3 days | Estimated — verify current price at official agency website before purchasing. |
| Senior Fishing License (65+) | $17.54 | 1 year | Estimated — verify current price at official agency website before purchasing. Some states offer free licenses for seniors 65+. |
* Colorado resident means a person who has resided continuously in the state for more than 6 months immediately before applying for a license.
| License Type | Fee | Valid Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Fishing License (Annual) | $97.24 | 1 year | |
| Non-Resident 3-Day Fishing License | $38.90 | 3 days | Estimated — verify current price at official agency website before purchasing. |
| Non-Resident Fishing License (1-Day) | $17.64 | 1 day | Sourced from takemefishing.org (verify current fee at official agency website) |
| Non-Resident Fishing License (5-Day) | $33.53 | 5 days | Sourced from takemefishing.org (verify current fee at official agency website) |
Colorado Fish Species — Status & License Requirements
Colorado offers diverse fishing opportunities. Click any species for detailed season dates, bag limits, and regulations.
Colorado Fishing Season Dates, Bag Limits & Size Rules
Key seasons for the most commonly targeted species. Always verify with official Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations before fishing.
| Species | Season Status | Open Date | Close Date | Daily Bag Limit | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Rainbow Trout Season | Open | 2 | fly-fishing | ||
| Colorado Brown Trout Season | Open | 4 | fly-fishing | ||
| Colorado Walleye Season | Open | 5 | general | ||
| Colorado Largemouth Bass Season | Open | 5 | general | ||
| Colorado Kokanee Salmon Season | Open | 2026-06-01 | 2026-11-30 | 10 | fly-fishing |
* Statewide regulations shown. Specific water bodies may have different rules. Always check the official Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations for your target destination.
Colorado Fishing Tags, Stamps & Endorsements
Some species and water types require additional stamps or endorsements beyond your base fishing license.
How to Get Your Colorado Fishing License
Colorado Parks and Wildlife makes purchasing straightforward. You can be licensed in under 5 minutes online.
Where to Buy in Colorado
Purchase directly at the official state agency website. Fast, available 24/7, license instantly downloadable. Accepts all major credit cards.
Buy Official LicenseWalmart, Bass Pro Shops, Academy Sports, Cabela's, and thousands of local bait shops and sporting goods stores sell licenses over the counter. Instant issuance.
Find a retailer near you