Discover the Largest Fish Ever Caught in Colorado

Fishing is a relaxing pastime for many and a highly competitive sport for many others. Whether for contest or tranquility, some of the most outstanding fishing in the country is in the Centennial State. Commonly called “Colorful Colorado,” the state is home to the center of the wondrous Rocky Mountains and a plethora of deep, gorgeous lakes, rivers, and streams.

The Rio Grande River, Arkansas River, and Colorado River are the principal watercourses in the state and three of its most prominent bodies of water. So, learning that they are home to some of the largest fish ever caught in Colorado shouldn’t be too surprising. However, the size of some of these behemoths will surely astonish anyone!

The Largest Fish Ever Caught in Colorado

For ten years, the most sizeable fish (in terms of weight) ever caught in Colorado was a grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) snagged by a fisherman at Cottonwood Park Lake in Lakewood, CO. In addition, the enormous 57-pound, 47-inch fish was pulled from the lake in 2013 and entered into the state’s record books. This record stood for a decade until May 5, 2023, when accomplished angler Scott Enloe caught an absurdly large 73.29-pound lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush).

The ridiculously massive trout was heaved out of Colorado’s Blue Mesa Reservoir and measured 47 inches in length. The catch not only broke the state record but is also possibly the largest lake trout ever caught worldwide. The previous all-tackle record lake trout, also called Mackinaw trout, was a 72-pounder caught on August 19, 1995, according to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). That fish was snagged in Canada’s Northwest Territories, in Great Bear Lake.

Enloe is no stranger to the competitive fishing world. In 2021, he competed for Fly Fishing Team USA and snagged a Colorado record brown trout (Salmo trutta) that weighed 23.75 pounds. While that record was later broken, the new one will likely stand for years to come. Before May 5, the heaviest Colorado lake trout weighed 50.35 pounds and was caught in 2007. It is now the second-largest lake trout ever caught in Colorado.

What is the Biggest Fish Ever Caught in Human History?

According to IGFA records, angler Alfred Dean holds the record for hauling in the largest fish ever caught. In 1959, Dean spent 50 minutes battling a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) off the coast of Ceduna, Australia. After reeling it in, the mammoth fish weighed 2,664 pounds! To this day, the shark remains the only record-setting fish to weigh more than one ton. Fascinatingly, there is a separation of nearly 900 pounds between the world record and the second-largest fish ever caught. Number two is a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) that weighed 1,785 pounds.

What is the Rarest Fish in Colorado?

While the largest fish ever caught in Colorado is shockingly huge, lake trout are common here. The state of Colorado recognizes four native species that are not only rare but also ancient and endangered. The rarest of which is the Bonytail (Gila elegans).

Bonytail is an endangered fish that has occupied the upper Colorado River basin for millions of years. These fish generally grow up to 22 inches or longer and can be differentiated from other chubs by its ultra-thin caudal peduncle. Bonytail are cultured and released into locations around the Colorado and Green Rivers by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The three other rarest fish in Colorado include:

• Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius)
• Humpback chub (Gila cypha)
• Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus)

Where Can You Catch the Biggest Fish in Colorado? 

Gunnison County. Not only is Gunnison County home to Blue Mesa Lake, where Enloe caught his potentially world-setting record lake trout, but it is also the most prevalent county for the biggest fish in the state. Hundreds of miles of waterways are filled with massive fish throughout the area. The Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery releases new fish each year into these waterways. Taylor Reservoir and the Gunnison, East, and Taylor rivers are here.

Of course, with more than 2,000 lakes and reservoirs, Colorado has many other places to catch gigantic fish. The state’s most acclaimed and designated Gold Medal waters are located between the Lake Fork confluence and the U.S. 50 bridge crossing above the Royal Gorge at Parkdale. The area, especially Glenwood Springs, is known for having many large fish. Its accessibility makes this stretch one of the most attractive spots in the state for anglers.

Other areas in Colorado known for the size and volume of their fish include Carbondale, Lake City, and both Southwest and Southeast Colorado. The waterways across these locations are filled with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), pike (Esox lucius), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), and many more!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Molishka/Shutterstock.com