RAINBOW TROUT

The rainbow trout has become both the angler's favorite and the mainstay of the Colorado hatchery system. Rainbows - like all trout - display selective feeding patterns and anglers seeking them should carry a variety of baits, lures and flies.

The only trout not introduced into Colorado by man is the cutthroat. Found in remote mountain streams and lakes, continued angling is made possible by hatchery-reared fingerlings placed in alpine lakes. Trophy sizes are still out there, waiting for you.

Abundant from high mountain streams to broad rivers flowing into the plains. Brownies are wary and can stump even the sharpest fisherman.

The brook trout feeds on aquatic and terrestrial insects and will rise to a large range of small lures, baits and flies. Extremely prolific, up to 3,500 brookies per acre may be found in some streams.

The lake (or mackinaw) is the largest North American member of the trout family. Normally found in water 70-100 feet deep, Macks prowl shallow water during spring and in the fall spawning season. A great sport fish and many hefty lake trout await you.

Kokanee - landlocked Pacific sockeye salmon - are suited to the large, fluctuating mountain reservoirs of Colorado. Swimming in compact schools, kokanee feed on zooplankton, a food source unaffected by the drawing down of reservoirs. In preparation for spawning, usually at the end of their third summer, females change color to a red-gray-white pattern and males develop a vicious-looking deeply hooked jaw and a brick red body.

A native to Colorado in the Yampa and White rivers, and now introduced in the Colorado River and Cache la Poudre drainages. Ofter found in tributaries during spawning season.

This fish is a hybrid between the white bass and the striped bass. Extremely hard fighting, it is a popular sport fish. Lures and baits that imitate shad are the best bet.

Walleye pike are a member of the perch family that can obtain a size of 13 pounds. Its savory flesh is an angler's favorite. Jigs and spinners slowly cranked over riprap in the spring are recommended, but in the summer you will want to fish deeper and colder waters.

Colorado's most abundant game fish and one of the most tableworthy. Very prolific, biting best at noon and toward evenings. Small flies and spinners or natural bait fished a foot or two off the bottom increases your catch.

Crappies are abundant in eastern Colorado waters. Tolerant of warmer, muddy water, they are often found around submerged brush piles. Fun to catch and great to eat.

Native to eastern Colorado and now stocked in warmwater rivers and reservoirs, this is a fun fish to catch. But be sure to let this wary sport fish run for several seconds before setting the hook or you may just lose them.

Stocked in warmwater reservoirs and lakes, an exciting sport fish for the angler. Often found around brush, weeds and underwater structures in early morning or evening.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Not actually bass but sunfish. Superb nest builders, they will bite on a large variety of bait including minnows, crayfish, surface and underwater lures, poppers and flies.

These beautiful hybrids offer trophy fishing opportunities. Super great sport fish, a thrill to catch, but watch out the sharp teeth. A lifetime experience to catch this predator.