Colorado’s diverse aquatic environments are home to various bass species, offering rewarding opportunities for anglers. The state’s lakes, reservoirs, and rivers provide suitable habitats for these popular game fish.
Bass Species in Colorado
Colorado’s waters primarily support populations of Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass, each with distinct characteristics and habitat preferences. Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) are typically olive green with a prominent dark, horizontal stripe along their sides. They thrive in warmer, slower-moving waters, favoring areas with abundant cover such as submerged vegetation, fallen trees, and rocky structures. These fish commonly range from three to four pounds, with some reservoirs producing catches exceeding ten pounds.
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) exhibit a bronze to olive-green coloration with distinct vertical bars, and their jaw does not extend past the eye. They prefer cooler, clearer waters with rocky bottoms, ledges, and strong currents, often found in mountain reservoirs and rivers. Smallmouth typically weigh between two and six pounds, with the state record exceeding six pounds. Colorado also hosts White Bass (Morone chrysops), known for schooling behavior, and Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus) in certain reservoirs, which are similar to Largemouth but feature rows of spots below a lateral stripe.
Prime Bass Fishing Locations
For Largemouth Bass, popular destinations include Pueblo Reservoir, John Martin Reservoir, Cherry Creek Reservoir, and Quincy Reservoir. St. Vrain State Park, Aurora Reservoir, and Chatfield Reservoir also provide excellent Largemouth habitat, often featuring weedy shorelines and submerged structures. In western Colorado, Navajo Reservoir, Corn Lake, and Elkhead Reservoir are known for their Largemouth populations.
Smallmouth Bass thrive in different environments, making locations like Horsetooth Reservoir, McPhee Reservoir, and parts of Pueblo Reservoir top choices. These waters typically offer rocky shorelines and clear, cooler conditions that Smallmouth prefer. Other notable Smallmouth fisheries include Aurora Reservoir, which holds the state record, Barr Lake, Boulder Reservoir, and various points along the Colorado and Yampa Rivers. John Martin Reservoir and Echo Canyon Reservoir are also recognized for their Smallmouth prospects.
Angling Considerations for Bass
Fishing for bass in Colorado requires adherence to state regulations and an understanding of seasonal patterns. All anglers aged 16 and older must possess a valid Colorado fishing license, which can be purchased online or from authorized vendors. A Habitat Stamp is also typically required with the purchase of a fishing license. Regulations concerning catch limits and size restrictions can vary by specific water body, so consulting the current Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishing brochure is important. While a general limit of five bass (largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted) applies in most areas, some waters, particularly west of the Continental Divide, may have no bag limit for Smallmouth Bass.
Successful bass angling often depends on timing and lure selection. The most active periods for bass in Colorado are generally from late May through early October, when water temperatures range between 60-75°F. Early mornings and late evenings are often productive times for targeting bass. Effective lures include jerkbaits, particularly in colors like “Sexy Shad” or translucent white, and various soft plastics such as tube jigs, Senkos, and swimbaits. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures like poppers and buzzbaits can also be effective, especially when bass are actively feeding near the surface or around submerged structures.