Fishing Information

If you intend to fish you will need to obtain a Colorado state fishing license and familiarize yourself with the Colorado state fishing regulations. A one day fishing license is $9.00. A fishing license can be obtained from any Colorado Division of Wildlife office or any License Agent. There are several License Agents in Salida, and these will usually be any sporting goods store. Also, children under 16 years can fish free, but daily bag limits are half the limit available for licensed individuals. Children under 16 years that acquire a fishing license may take a full bag limit of fish. You also will no longer need to obtain a Conservation Certificate under Colorado's new licensing system. Licenses now are sold separately, and not as attachments for a Conservation Certificate.

You may use rafts or canoes on the lake, so long as they are paddled. The trail for motorized vehicles ends approximately a quarter to a half mile from the lake, about a ten minute walk. Though the road continues up a ridge and then down to the lake at the old fish hatchery building, after the gate it is foot traffic only. Any canoe or raft must be packed to the lake on foot from the gate at the end of the trail. The trail into the lake has several fallen trees that would create problems in getting a canoe to the lake. However, a float tube or inflatable raft would be much easier to transport to the lake and quite useful for getting around.

NOTE: Live bait cannot be used in Colorado above 7,000 ft. altitude, so please use flies & lures only at these altitudes. If you want to use "hand-moldable" material, such as "Power Bait", please review the Colorado Fishing Regulations, or contact a Division of Wildlife office, as there are some restrictions on the use of such material in catching fish in Colorado. Bag limits for trout are normally four fish daily, with eight in possession. However, you may have in possession ten Brook Trout per day that are eight inches or less in length. For further details refer to the Colorado Division of Wildlife 2006 Fishing Brochure (click here for an online PDF version).

ALSO NOTE: Some streams, lakes and drainages have additional restrictions concerning the use of non-live bait, possession limits and the use of flies/lures only. You may want to familiarize yourself with the pertinent regulations if you fish elsewhere in Colorado. If you have any questions or concerns there is a Division of Wildlife office in Salida that can answer your questions and issue you a license. Also, the Division of Wildlife also has an area on it's website where you can submit any questions or concerns prior to RMIHR. 

Potential flies and lures will also be displayed at the Trail Trips seminar on Sunday of RMIHR. However, the  choice of fishing method, lure and fly will be up to those fishing.

Colorado Division of Wildlife
7405 Hwy 50, Salida, CO 81201
(719)530-5520

For License Agents check: 

Wal-Mart
7865 West Us Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201
(719) 539-5339 

American Hunting & Fishing Supply 
645 East Rainbow Boulevard, Salida, CO 81201 
(719) 530-0725 

Arkansas River Fly Shop 
7500 West Us Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201 
(719) 539-3474 

Homestead Sport & Ski 
11238 West Highway 50, Poncha Springs, CO 81201 
(719) 539-7507 
(800) 539-7507 

Guide To Fishing in the Buena Vista, Colorado Area

Fishing regulations can be found here in PDF format:. Colorado State Fishing Regulations Brochure.

License information can be found here: Colorado State Fishing License Fees.

Ask questions of the Colorado Division of Wildlife: E-mail DOW