Colorado Parks and Wildlife has opened sales for 2026–2027 fishing licenses. Anglers can fish more than 6,000 miles of streams and 1,300 lakes statewide. License fees support hatcheries, search and rescue teams, and aquatic conservation efforts.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is now selling fishing licenses for the 2026–2027 fishing season, opening the door for anglers across the Western Slope and beyond to cast lines in some of the state’s most scenic waters.
Fishing licenses are valid from March 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, covering a full 13 months. Youth ages 15 and under can fish for free.
Anglers can purchase licenses online at cpwshop.com, by phone at 1-800-244-5613, in person at a CPW office, or through authorized sales agents. Annual, daily, and multi-day licenses are available, along with specialty licenses for veterans, seniors, first responders, people with disabilities, and income-eligible residents. Full pricing and regulations are detailed in the new 2026 Colorado Fishing Brochure.
According to CPW Assistant Director for Aquatic Wildlife Matt Nicholl, fishing licenses do more than grant access to rivers and lakes.
“By purchasing a fishing license, anglers play a crucial role in funding Colorado's fishery management, supporting hatcheries and fish stocking operations,” Nicholl said. He noted that anglers help balance recreation with conservation efforts that protect both popular sport fish and native aquatic species.
Each license purchase also includes a $1.25 Colorado Backcountry Search and Rescue (BSAR) fee, which helps fund county-based search-and-rescue teams across the state.
Colorado offers opportunities to fish more than 35 species, both warm- and cold-water, across 6,000 miles of streams and more than 1,300 lakes and reservoirs.
On the Western Slope, that includes stretches of the Colorado River, Gunnison River, high-elevation reservoirs, and mountain streams that draw anglers year-round.
This year, CPW is introducing a new designation: Colorado Quality Waters, joining the well-known Gold Medal Waters program. Fisheries biologists selected these waters based on fish sampling records, creel surveys, and biological assessments to highlight strong angling opportunities.
CPW fisheries biologists are also publishing online survey summaries by waterbody to help anglers better understand fish population trends, stocking effectiveness, and management goals.
Colorado’s 19 fish hatcheries play a major role in sustaining the state’s fisheries. Each year, more than 90 million fish are bred, hatched, reared, and stocked.
Some hatchery fish are intended to enhance recreational fishing opportunities, which contribute an estimated $1.9 billion annually to Colorado’s economy. Others support native species recovery efforts.
CPW Deputy Assistant Director Josh Nehring said hatchery staff and volunteers will soon begin spawning fish from wild brood waters to replenish walleye and saugeye fisheries. Hatcheries also stock Front Range waters with trout while water temperatures remain cool to expand seasonal angling opportunities.
CPW continues to warn anglers about the spread of aquatic nuisance species, including zebra mussels, which were discovered on the Colorado River in 2024, with additional detections in 2025.
The agency urges all recreation users, including anglers, to “clean, drain and dry” gear before moving between waterways. CPW has installed gear and watercraft cleaning stations at state parks, wildlife areas, and river access points.
“The spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species poses a significant threat to our rivers, lakes, and reservoirs,” said Invasive Species Program Manager Robert Walters. He noted that invasive species can damage ecosystems, impact fisheries, clog irrigation systems, affect hydropower production, and even disrupt drinking water infrastructure.
In addition to purchasing licenses, anglers can participate in fishing classes, seminars, tournaments, and community events listed on the CPW Event Calendar. CPW also offers a monthly Fishing eNews subscription featuring stocking updates and survey results.
For more information, to purchase a license, or to explore fishing locations and stocking reports, visit Colorado Parks & Wildlife
As spring approaches, Colorado’s rivers and reservoirs once again open up for another year of casting, conservation, and time outdoors.
