You can fish four species of trout in the park streams and lakes: brown, rainbow, brook, and cutthroat, although the greenback cutthroat trout is limited to catch-and-release. Anglers 16 years and older must have a Colorado fishing license, and only artificial lures and flies are permitted. Children 12 and under may use worms or preserved fish eggs, though not in catch-and-release areas, where no bait whatsoever is allowed.
The only fish native to Rocky Mountain National Park are the greenback cutthroat and the Colorado River cutthroat. When the park area was first settled, fishing became quite popular, and people began stocking streams with non-native species. They even relocated trout to streams and lakes that had none. The National Park Service continued stocking non-native trout until 1968. That policy has been reversed, and since 1975, efforts have been made to remove non-native fish and to restore native species. Several waters with restored native fish are open for catch-and-release, using barbless hooks. These include Fern Lake and Fern Creek, Hidden Valley Beaver Ponds and Hidden Valley Creek (Aug 1-Mar 31), the North Fork of the Big Thompson River above Lost Falls, Sandbeach Lake and Sandbeach Creek, Spruce Lake, and Timber Lake and Timber Creek.
Out of the 147 lakes in the park, only 50 are known to have fish populations. The cold water and the lack of a spawning habitat in high-altitude lakes prohibit fish reproduction. Of the lakes known to have fish, fishing is allowed at Sprague Lake just off Bear Lake Road; Lake Verna and Lone Pine Lake along the East Inlet Trail on the west side of the park; Lake of Glass, Loch Vale, and Mills Lake above Bear Lake; and Ypsilon Lake north of Fall River Road. Some of the park's lakes and streams are closed to fishing, including Bear Lake and Hunters Creek above Wild Basin Ranger Station.
A complete list of open and closed waters is available at visitor centers and ranger stations. The brochure also lists the possession limit, which is intentionally low to aid in restoration efforts. Anglers can also try out the fishing opportunities in the nearby national forests, and at the three lakes near the community of Grand Lake outside the park's west entrance.
Among local outfitters offering fly-fishing instruction and guided trips are Estes Angler, 338 Riverside Dr., Estes Park (tel. 800/586-2110 or 970/586-2110; www.estesangler.com), and Scot's Sporting Goods, 870 Moraine Ave., Estes Park (tel. 970/586-2877), which is open daily, from May through September only. Typical rates for a half-day guided fishing trip for two people are $195. Both outfitters also offer equipment rental.
