Feeling crappie?

With hundreds of lakes, ponds, creeks, rivers and reservoirs, Colorado is an ideal place to get in some fishing, be it a single day, a long weekend or a year-round hobby. Northeastern Colorado in particular is perfect for those looking to escape the crowds.

All across the northeastern region, Colorado Parks & Wildlife stocks these sites with warmwater fish. Largemouth bass and channel catfish can be found in any of the area waters. Other common species in almost all of the region’s waters are bluegill and green sunfish. Several contain common carp, black crappie, saugeye, walleye, white crappie, yellow perch and black bullhead as well.

Just one pond in the area is stocked with pumpkinseed, so for a shot at catching one, you’ll have to head to Overland Trail Park Pond in Sterling. For smallmouth bass, visit Jumbo Reservoir or Jumbo Annex (Red Lion State Wildlife Area) between Sedgwick and Crook. Readear sunfish are stocked at Jeff’s Pond in Fleming, Stalker Lake near Wray, and Doty Park Pond in Brush. Those looking to catch wiper can try North Sterling Reservoir, Prewitt Reservoir near Merino, or Jackson Lake (reservoir) near Weldona. Jackson Lake is also stocked with sub-catchable trout.

Of course, anglers should remember that a fishing license is required and daily bag limits and possession limits are enforced. People age 16 and older are required to buy a license and carry it with them. A variety of options are available for residents, nonresidents, youth 16-17, adults 18-64, and seniors 65 and older. Licenses can be purchased for one day, five days or a year, and the annual license is valid March 1-March 31 the following year.

The easiest way to buy a license is online at www.cpwshop.com/licensing.page. A temporary authorization number can be used until the license is received in the mail and is normally valid for 14 days after date of purchase. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the timeframe for which a TAN is valid has been extended to 45 days. Anglers should print or write down the number and carry it with them while fishing until the license is received.

There are some exceptions to the license requirements. June 6 and June 7, for example, are Colorado’s 2020 free fishing days. Residents and nonresidents can fish without a license. Throughout the year, youth under the age of 16 can take a full bag and possession limit without a license. They do, however, need a second-rod stamp if fishing with a second line. Colorado residents on active duty with U.S. armed forces out of state can fish without a license while in Colorado on temporary leave for up to 30 days a year. They must carry official leave papers while fishing, though.

Another thing to remember when planning a northeastern Colorado fishing trip is that there are different daily bag limits and possession limits for different types of fish. The daily bag limit is the maximum number of fish you can take in a day, regardless of what you do with them that day. Fish released immediately are not part of the limit. Possession limit refers to the maximum number of fish allowed at any time, including in the field, transporting, at home or in storage. Fish taken and later smoked, canned, frozen or preserved for consumption are part of the possession limit until consumed.

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