Spring in Colorado usually arrives with a bold proclamation, but this year it felt more like a continuation than an abrupt transition. An unusually warm winter left snowpack low and sped up the season’s timeline, muting many of the telltale signs we’re used to—less dramatic runoff, fewer icy mornings, and a quicker shift to longer, milder days. Even so, the signs of spring are still there for those paying attention. And for anglers, one signal matters most: ice-out.
As lakes and reservoirs lose what little ice they formed this winter, these waters come alive with some of the best trout fishing of the season.
Spring Brings a Biological Reset
Shortly after ice-out, a biological “reset” known as spring turnover stirs lakes to life, mixing oxygen and nutrients throughout the water column and jolting trout out of their winter slumber. As the shallows begin to warm, rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout move in to feed aggressively where aquatic insects and baitfish first become active. For anglers, it’s a rare window of opportunity—when even trophy trout cruise within easy casting distance of shore, capitalizing on abundant food before rising summer temperatures push them back into deeper, cooler water.
Lures and Baits
To take advantage of this bite, bank anglers can cast spinners like Panther Martins and Roostertails or work spoons such as Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants, while bait setups with nightcrawlers, PowerBait, or salmon eggs are equally effective. It’s also prime time for fly anglers, particularly on the lakes of South Park and North Park, where large trout patrol the shallows in search of the season’s first insect hatches.
Springtime Stocking
In addition, spring stocking further boosts fishing opportunities. CPW stocks thousands of catchable-sized trout across the state each spring, timing these releases with cold-water conditions that help fish acclimate and feed quickly. Many small lakes and ponds—especially along Colorado’s Front Range—are managed as put-and-take fisheries, where harvest is encouraged. It’s an ideal opportunity to introduce kids to fishing, with steady action and the added reward of bringing a few fish home for the table.
Quality Waters Program
Colorado’s new Quality Waters program, launched in 2025, highlights some of the top locations that provide easy access and excellent springtime fishing opportunities. Fishing locations are organized by region on the CPW website to help anglers plan their next trip.
Lake Trout
One of the most exciting springtime opportunities is targeting lake trout.
Also known as Mackinaw, lake trout are Colorado’s largest cold-water species, and spring offers a prime window to pursue them. Fish in the 10- to 20-pound range are common, with giants exceeding 70 pounds landed in recent years. The official state record—caught by Don Walker at Blue Mesa Reservoir in 2007—tipped the scales at an impressive 50 pounds, 5 ounces.
Lake trout are primarily deep-water dwellers, holding at depths of 60 to 200 feet for much of the year. This behavior makes them accessible mainly to boat anglers trolling with downriggers or to ice anglers targeting them through vertical jigging during winter months.
At ice-out, these leviathans of the deep move into the shallows along the shoreline, giving bank anglers a rare chance to score big. This window of opportunity is short-lived, lasting only a few weeks before the fish retreat to deeper water—typically by early- to mid-June at most locations based on water temperatures.
Lures and Bait
Popular bank fishing methods for lake trout include casting big crank baits (Rapalas) or spoons. Bait fishing with sucker meat with a slip-sinker bait-rig is also an effective way to catch “lakers” from the shore. For boaters, vertical jigging with Gitzit tube jigs tipped with sucker meat or trolling with crankbaits or spoons are all effective.
Managing Lake Trout Populations and Conservation
In some waters, lake trout have become overabundant, as they are one of the few cold-water species capable of successfully reproducing in large reservoirs. Their strong recruitment has, in some cases, led to imbalances, suppressing native and stocked fish populations—particularly Kokanee salmon, which are a primary forage source for these predators.
“When lake trout populations get too dense, growth rates slow, creating lots of smaller fish and fewer trophies,” said CPW Aquatic Biologist Giulio Del Piccolo. “This also disrupts the overall ecological balance in the reservoir.”
At Lake Granby and Blue Mesa Reservoir, CPW has set liberal bag limits to encourage anglers to harvest smaller lake trout to help control overabundant populations. In 2026, Blue Mesa allows the unlimited harvest of lake trout under 32 inches, while Lake Granby permits up to 12 fish, with only one over 24 inches in length. These smaller fish also make excellent table fare, offering a milder flavor and firmer texture, while larger lake trout tend to be oilier and less desirable to eat.
(Insert photo Granby Fishing 8)
While the harvest of smaller fish is recommended, anglers are encouraged to handle large lake trout with care and to release trophy-sized fish to support long-term conservation. Lake trout are slow-growing and can take decades to reach trophy size. In fact, fish in the 20- to 30-pound range are often similar numbers in age, reflecting just how long it takes these giants to develop.
In 2023, angler Scott Enloe landed and released a massive, unofficial world-record lake trout at Blue Mesa Reservoir. The fish reportedly weighed more than 73 pounds and measured an incredible 37-inch girth, sparking intrigue about its age. Biologists estimate it was at least 30 to 35 years old, while some speculate it could be as old as 55—potentially one of the original fish stocked in 1968.
Like living relics of the reservoir’s history, these giants deserve respect and admiration. If you’re fortunate enough to catch one, handle them quickly, snap a photo, and return them to the water so they can live to swim another day.
Where to Go
Lake trout are found in the large mountain reservoirs where the water is clear, deep and cold. Blue Mesa, Taylor Reservoir, Ruedi Reservoir, Twin Lakes, Jefferson Lake, Williams Fork and Lake Granby are a few prime locations.
Summary
After a historically warm winter, Colorado could face a challenging summer fishing season statewide with drought, low-water and rising temperatures. That makes now an ideal time to get out and fish before the conditions tighten. Spring may have arrived early and quietly this year, but that subtle shift only highlights the sense of urgency—and opportunity—of this short window of exceptional trout action. Colorado fishing licenses for the 2026-27 season went on sale March 1, and are available for purchase online and at statewide license agents. Bag and possession limits vary and can change from year to year at fishing locations across the state. Anglers should read the current Fishing Regulations Brochure before planning trips.
Written by Jerry Neal. Neal is an avid angler and the Senior Video Producer for CPW.
