Fishing Licenses and Rules in Rocky Mountain National Park

Yes, you need a fishing license in Rocky Mountain National Park if you are 16 or older.

Who needs a license, and how long is it valid?

Youth aged 15 and under fish for free. Resident rates require a Colorado license or ID held at least six months, with matching Colorado income tax address. Annual licenses run March 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. Buy at cpwshop.com, 1-800-244-5613, a CPW office, or a sales agent.

How much does a license cost?

CPW prices as listed July 31, 2026; confirm before buying. Resident: adult annual, ages 18 to 63, $44.87; senior annual, ages 64 and older, $12.96; youth, ages 16 to 17, $12.96; one day $18.07; additional day $9.13; second rod stamp $14.24. Nonresident: annual, ages 16 and older, $124.01; five day $41.04; one day $21.90; additional day $9.13; second rod stamp $14.24. Ages 18 to 64 must buy a Habitat Stamp. CPW pages conflict: $12.76 on the licenses page, July 31, 2026, and $12.47 on the Habitat Stamp page, January 16, 2026.

What park rules apply to rods, hooks, and bait?

Use only one hand held rod or line. A second rod stamp is not honored in the park. In catch and release waters, barbless hooks must be used. Only artificial flies or lures with one common shank hook may be used. Children 12 and younger may use worms or preserved fish eggs outside catch and release waters. No bait or worms are allowed in catch and release waters.

Which waters are closed, catch and release, or catch and keep?

Closed waters, no fishing allowed: Bear Lake, inlet and outlet streams 200 yards; Hunters Creek above Wild Basin Ranger Station as posted; Kettle Tarn; Lake Nanita Outlet downstream 100 yards; Shadow Mountain Reservoir below the spillway to the southern boundary, including Columbine Bay, October 1 through December 31; South Fork Cache la Poudre above Pingree Park; Upper Columbine Creek above 9,000 feet.

Catch and release, barbless hooks required: Adams, Arrowhead, Big Crystal, Boundary, Caddis, Fifth, Hutcheson, Husted, Louise, Lawn, Loomis, Lost, and Ouzel Lakes; Bench Lake and Ptarmigan Creek; Cony Creek; Dream Lake; Fern Lake and Creek; Forest Canyon; Gorge Lakes and Gorge Stream; Hidden Valley Creek and Beaver Ponds; Hunters Creek; North Fork Big Thompson; Odessa Lake; Ouzel Creek; Paradise Creek Drainage; Pear Lake and Creek; Roaring River; Sandbeach Lake and Creek; Spruce Lake (east and southeast closed year round); Timber Lake and Creek; Upper Hague Creek; Upper Onahu Creek; West Creek; Ypsilon Creek and Ypsilon Lake.

Unlisted creeks and rivers are catch and keep. Catch and keep lakes: Black, Box, Fourth, Glass, Haynach, Jewel, Haiyaha, Solitude, Verna, Loch Vale, Lone Pine, Mills, Mirror, Pettingell, Poudre, Sky Pond, Spirit, Sprague, and Thunder Lakes; Lake Nanita, outlet closed; Peacock Pool; Ten Lake Park Lakes. Elk rut closure September 1 through October 31, 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., in Fall River, Big Thompson, and Colorado sections.

What are the bag and possession limits?

Park possession limit: 18 trout max, either 18 brook (8 any size, 10 at 8 inches or less) or 16 brook (6 any size, 10 at 8 inches or less) plus 2 other trout 10 inches or more. No separate park daily bag limit is stated on the park page. Statewide, separately: daily bag 4, possession 8 for trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, and whitefish, except kokanee, plus 10 brook trout 8 inches or less. Do not merge these rules. Check the park page first.

Do you need an entrance pass, and what about gear disinfection?

An entrance fee or park pass is always required. Standard Pass: $15.00 to $35.00 (see the fees page). Park Annual Pass: $70.00. America the Beautiful annual: resident $80.00, nonresident $250.00. Non US residents 16 and older pay $100 extra unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. Late May to mid October, check the timed entry page.

Disinfect gear that touched water or soil on first park use, after outside use, after moving over 2.5 miles in a drainage, or in a new drainage. Do not transfer fish, dispose of entrails in waters, or use felt soles. Remove debris, then soak gear at least 10 minutes in 10 percent bleach or 6 oz Sparquat per gallon. With bleach, freeze overnight or soak over 10 minutes in 1 to 1 Formula 409 antibacterial cleaner or over one minute in water at least 120 degrees F. With Sparquat, skip that step. Dry in direct sunlight at least 84 degrees F for four hours. See this private fly fishing tour and this packing guide. See this May 2026 river report.