Fishing

Outdoor Ethics for Fishing

The Leave No Trace Seven Principles are reprinted with the permission of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. For more information, visit www.LNT.org.

- Know the local fishing and boating regulations for the area where you’ll fish. Obtain licenses and stamps and have them with you.
- Use a personal flotation device where required and/or appropriate.
- Learn to identify the different species of fish in the area where you’ll be fishing.
- Obey the limits on size and quantity of fish you are allowed to keep. Abide by regulations concerning types of bait and tackle permitted where you are fishing.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Plan your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Non-motorized crafts usually have right-of-way over powerboats: slower boats should keep to the right.
- If using a radio keep volume low or wear headphones, let nature’s sounds prevail.
- Pick campsites that are away from shoreline or trails and avoid crowding other visitors.
- Respect fish by humanely dispatching catches you are keeping with a quick blow to the back of the head with a rock or other solid object.
- Refrigerate or eat fish quickly to avoid wasting them. Check local regulations on using stringers.
- Use caution when cooking fish in bear country.
- Never feed wildlife. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Control pets or leave them at home.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts. Use a lightweight stove for cooking when possible.
- Where fires are permitted use established fire rings, mound fires, or fire pans and consider bringing your own firewood.
- Keep fires small and use only dead and downed wood that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and charcoal to ash. Ensure that fire is completely out and properly dispose of cold ashes by scattering or packing out.
- When practicing “catch and release”, use barbless hooks and be sure to not injure the fish. Do not fight a fish to exhaustion, use a rod and line of sufficient strength, avoid suspending fish out of water by the fishing line. Keep fish in water when handling for release and do not touch gills.
- Carry and use needle-nose pliers or hemostats for hook removal.
- Take care not to introduce non-native species to water sources and surrounding areas. Pack out all un-used bait and dispose of properly (e.g. worms, minnows, leaches) and properly wash all equipment between fishing trips.
- Avoid transferring fish from one watershed to another.
- Preserve the past: observe, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Pack it in, Pack it out. Inspect your camp and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all monofilament fishing line, leftover live bait, and bait cups.
- Avoid using lead sinkers and jigs. If lead sinkers are found, pack out for proper disposal.
- Use established bathrooms when available. If not available, deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep and 200ft away from water sources.
- Check with local land managers for regulations on disposal of fish entrails. Pack out entrails when possible. If not possible, burial, deepwater deposition, or moving water deposition are acceptable options in most areas.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Durable surfaces include rock, gravel, water, established trails and campsites, sand, or snow.
- Concentrate use on existing trails, campsites, and boat launches.
- Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- Avoid trampling aquatic vegetation when wading. Refrain from wading in spawning areas when possible.
- Enter and leave water sources at places where the banks are low or where there are gravel bars.
- In pristine areas disperse use to prevent the creation of new campsites and trails.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.

Gear & Services

South Platte Fly Shop

405 E U.S. HWY 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Dick’s Sporting Goods

1710 Briargate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920; 3133 Cinema Point Colorado Springs, CO 80922

Biking, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Shooting

Bass Pro Shop

13012 Bass Pro Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Archery, ATV/UTV, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Off-roading

Broadmoor Outfitters

1 Lake Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Adventuring, Biking, Climbing, Falconry, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Geocaching, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Paintball, Rock Climbing, Ziplining

Pikes Peak Outfitter

293 S. 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Hiking, Ice Fishing, Picnicking, Snow, Snowshoeing, Stillwater Canoeing, Stillwater Kayaking, Stillwater SUPing, Water

11 Mile General Store

5790 CO RD 92, Lake George, CO 80827

Camping, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Ice Fishing, RVing

Sportsman’s Warehouse

555 North Chelton Road Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Archery, ATV/UTV, Camping, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hunting, Off-roading, Shooting, Stillwater Canoeing, Stillwater Kayaking, Water, Whitewater Kayaking

Tumbling Trout

38283 US-24, Lake George, CO 80827

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Walmart

Archery, Camping, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, RVing, Shooting, Street Cycling

Royal Gorge Anglers

49311 W U.S. 50, Cañon City, CO 81212

Fishing, Fly Fishing

REI

1376 E Woodmen Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Biking, Climbing, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Snowshoeing, Water, Whitewater Kayaking

Big R Stores

Archery, Camping, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Hunting, Shooting, Stillwater Kayaking, Stillwater SUPing

Sierra Trading Post

5916 Barnes Rd. Colorado Springs, CO 80922

Biking, Camping, Climbing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Ice Climbing, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Snowshoeing, Stillwater Canoeing, Stillwater Kayaking, Stillwater SUPing, Street Cycling

Angler’s Covey

295 21st Street Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904

Fishing, Fly Fishing

JP Fly Fishing Specialties

1100 Grand Ave Canon City, Colorado

Fishing, Fly Fishing

The Peak Fly Shop

5632 Academy Blvd N, Colorado Springs, CO 80918/ 301 Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Big 5 Sporting Goods

1810 W Uintah St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Hunting

Colorado Tackle Pro

297 S 21st Street Colorado Springs CO 80904

Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Ice Fishing

Rentals

REI

1376 E Woodmen Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Biking, Climbing, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Snowshoeing, Water, Whitewater Kayaking

Pikes Peak Outfitter

293 S. 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Hiking, Ice Fishing, Picnicking, Snow, Snowshoeing, Stillwater Canoeing, Stillwater Kayaking, Stillwater SUPing, Water

South Platte Fly Shop

405 E U.S. HWY 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Colorado Tackle Pro

297 S 21st Street Colorado Springs CO 80904

Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Ice Fishing

Angler’s Covey

295 21st Street Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Classes

The Peak Fly Shop

5632 Academy Blvd N, Colorado Springs, CO 80918/ 301 Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO

Fishing, Fly Fishing

REI

1376 E Woodmen Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Biking, Climbing, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Snowshoeing, Water, Whitewater Kayaking

South Platte Fly Shop

405 E U.S. HWY 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Royal Gorge Anglers

49311 W U.S. 50, Cañon City, CO 81212

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Tumbling Trout

38283 US-24, Lake George, CO 80827

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Angler’s Covey

295 21st Street Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Guided Adventures

The Peak Fly Shop

5632 Academy Blvd N, Colorado Springs, CO 80918/ 301 Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO

Fishing, Fly Fishing

South Platte Fly Shop

405 E U.S. HWY 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Pikes Peak Outfitter

293 S. 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Hiking, Ice Fishing, Picnicking, Snow, Snowshoeing, Stillwater Canoeing, Stillwater Kayaking, Stillwater SUPing, Water

Broadmoor Outfitters

1 Lake Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Adventuring, Biking, Climbing, Falconry, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Geocaching, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Paintball, Rock Climbing, Ziplining

Colorado Friends and Family Fishing

2480 Waynoka Road #201, Colorado Springs, CO 80915

Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing

REI

1376 E Woodmen Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Biking, Climbing, Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Pikes Peak APEX, Rock Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snow, Snowshoeing, Water, Whitewater Kayaking

Angler’s Covey

295 21st Street Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Arkansas River Tours

49311 W U.S. 50, Cañon City, CO 81212

Adventuring, ATV/UTV, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Off-roading, Water, Whitewater Kayaking, Whitewater Rafting, Ziplining

Tumbling Trout

38283 US-24, Lake George, CO 80827

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Colorado Tackle Pro

297 S 21st Street Colorado Springs CO 80904

Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Ice Fishing

Dvorak Raft Kayak & Fishing Expeditions

17921 U.S. Hwy 285 Nathrop, Colorado 81236

Conventional/Spin Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Water, Whitewater Kayaking, Whitewater Rafting

Canopy Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing

Royal Gorge Anglers

49311 W U.S. 50, Cañon City, CO 81212

Fishing, Fly Fishing

JP Fly Fishing Specialties

1100 Grand Ave Canon City, Colorado

Fishing, Fly Fishing

Be Prepared

Outdoor Ethics for Fishing

Gear & Services

South Platte Fly Shop

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Bass Pro Shop

Broadmoor Outfitters

Pikes Peak Outfitter

11 Mile General Store

Sportsman’s Warehouse

Tumbling Trout

Walmart

Royal Gorge Anglers

REI

Big R Stores

Sierra Trading Post

Angler’s Covey

JP Fly Fishing Specialties

The Peak Fly Shop

Big 5 Sporting Goods

Colorado Tackle Pro

Rentals

REI

Pikes Peak Outfitter

South Platte Fly Shop

Colorado Tackle Pro

Angler’s Covey

Classes

The Peak Fly Shop

REI

South Platte Fly Shop

Royal Gorge Anglers

Tumbling Trout

Angler’s Covey

Guided Adventures

The Peak Fly Shop

South Platte Fly Shop

Pikes Peak Outfitter

Broadmoor Outfitters

Colorado Friends and Family Fishing

REI

Angler’s Covey

Arkansas River Tours

Tumbling Trout

Colorado Tackle Pro

Dvorak Raft Kayak & Fishing Expeditions

Canopy Fly Fishing

Royal Gorge Anglers

JP Fly Fishing Specialties