2017-12-13 04:16:34
Load up your tackle box and picnic basket to create lasting family memories on a Colorado fishing adventure. The fishing is great at these spots, but they made the list because they offer much more. Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides a wealth of information about fishing with your little ones. Take a look at their suggestions for making the most of the family fishing experience and their interactive map of the top 101-ish places to take a kid fishing. Fishing licenses are available the first of April each year and are good through March 31 of the following year; everyone 16 and up must have one. One-day and five-day passes can also be purchased. cpw.state.co.us/ placestogo/Pages/Fishing.aspx LATHROP STATE PARK Nestled in the shadow of the Spanish Peaks in Walsenburg, this park offers a gentle climate and a youth fishing pond for kids 15 and under — as well as two lakes for the older folks. WONDERLAND LAKE Ringed by an easy hiking loop, this north Boulder foothills gem is just the right speed for families not wanting to drive too far. The lake is a popular paragliding spot and you can watch the gliders launch from the top of Wonderland Hill. CORN LAKE Just outside Grand Junction, the lake is stocked with rainbow trout and offers restrooms, a bike trail and picnic tables. Nearby are the Colorado River Wildlife Area’s hiking, wildlife watching and educational activities. ST. VRAIN STATE PARK This Firestone site’s Sandpiper and Mallard ponds win best spots for kids thanks to the nearness of the parking lot and restrooms. There are easy hiking trails and camping for making a night of it. ANTICLINE FISHING POND Lake Pueblo State Park is a mecca for boating, but this smaller pond’s pier is an ideal family perch. Only steps away: a swimming beach, playground, public restrooms and picnic tables. BEAR CREEK LAKE PARK Denver’s cityscape gives way to scenic foothills in Lakewood. The fam will love fishing on the piers and the park has a visitor center, swim beach and trails. PA-CO-CHU-PUK PONDS AT RIDGWAY STATE PARK The park’s two rainbow-trout-stocked ponds are close to two important sites: a bathroom and a fish-cleaning station. There’s also a swim beach and summer programs for kids, including archery, birding walks, hawk quests and more. AKRON POND This northeastern site keeps things cool with shady areas, sheltered picnic tables and regularly stocked trout in the summer months, as well as good-size bass and catfish so everyone comes away a winner. SYLVAN LAKE STATE PARK Close to I-70 and the town of Eagle, but far enough removed to feel one with nature, this park has fishing poles to lend to kids that don’t have their own. FOR MORE SERIOUS FISHERS ► COLORADO.com/WesternCO FlyFishingHotSpots ► COLORADO.com/ 8LakesForIceFishing ► COLORADO.com/GreatPlaces toFishInColorado ► COLORADO.com/RoaringFork FlyFishingVideo 322 Number of miles of Gold Medal streams providing angling opportunities for large trout. These waters are managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to ensure populations of big fish and big smiles for anglers.
©Colorado. View All Articles.