2016-12-22 03:48:13
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. Colorado 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 1 MANITOU LAKE Fishing piers, picnic tables, a nature trail and Pikes Peak views make these waters near Woodland Park a hit with everyone in the family. 2 FORT COLLINS CITY PARK This lively urban fishing hole is chock-full of rainbow trout, bluegill and crappies. Stick around for the City Park Pool, paddle boats, a miniature train, a huge playground and more. CORN LAKE, FLICKR/JIMMY THOMAS 3 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. 4 ST. VRAIN STATE PARK This Longmont 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. 5 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, zoo, public restrooms and picnic tables. 6 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. CHIPETA LAKE STATE WILDLIFE AREA, LU ANNE TYRRELL 7 CHIPETA LAKE STATE WILDLIFE AREA In the shadow of the San Juans near Montrose, you can drive right up to this lake, where there’s ample casting room and the banks aren’t steep. Pick up some American Indian history at the Ute Indian Museum, located within the wildlife area. 8 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. 9 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.
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