Where do fish in Colorado go for the winter?

Contrary to popular thinking, trout (and whitefish, and suckerfish, and sculpin) in the Eagle River do not migrate. They are built to thrive in these freezing temps with a metabolism that slows down to preserve calories. The fish seek deep-water pools for protection from a full freeze and as a place to “hide” from birds of prey while they are in a slower metabolic state. The fish eat daily snacks of aquatic insects, which are largely in the dormant to slow-growth stages under the water’s surface. Insects can be found clinging to rocks and occasionally get swept off by the ebb and flow of the river water, which makes them the perfect easy snack as they float along. As the sunny days start to hit, there can also be some impressive midge (a type of tiny insect) hatches as well.

Winter Fly Fishing Arial View.

Winter fishing provides an experience that takes you off of the busy slopes, gives your legs a chance to rest while still being active, and most importantly connects the angler with one of the most serene winterscapes this valley offers. Fly fishing in the winter is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Moral of the story: catching fish in the wintertime can be both productive and fun! Sure, you may have to deal with some extra layers and some cold hands if you want to hold the fish you catch, but we know if you were afraid of the cold, you wouldn’t visit Colorado!

If you want to book a fishing adventure in the wintertime, please call Anderson’s Fish Camp at (970) 376-0002. They know the places where you can access the river’s best pools safely, what flies trout like to eat this time of year, and ways to deal with the cold temps so that you can have the BEST experience possible! Anderson’s Fish Camp offers competitive winter rates, please see andersonsfishcamp.com for details.