| Welcome to the Conejos River, the South San Juan Mountains and some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado. Found here in lakes and streams is quality fishing for brown trout, Rio Grande cutthroat trout, brook trout, rainbow trout and the Kokanee salmon of Platoro Reservoir. Stocking this year includes 15,000 10 inch and 35,000 3 inch rainbow, and 20,000 2 inch Kokanee Salmon in Platoro Reservoir, 6,000 10 inch rainbow in Mix Lake, and 3,200 10 inch rainbow in Spectacle Lake. The Conejos River will be stocked with 38,000 3 inch snakeriver cutthroats and 8,000 3 inch brown trout. Private owners and resorts do stock catchables and trophy trout in the Conejos for guests. Trujillo Reservoir was drained in 1998 for dam repair, stocked with fingerling rainbows in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 14,000 more will be stocked in 2002. La Jara Reservoir was drained in 1999, suckers removed in 2000, 3 inch splake stocked in 2002.
License requirements: People age 16 and older need a license to fish. People age 15 and younger may fish with out a license for half the limit and any age may keep a full limit with a valid license. The fine for fishing without a license is $68 with additional charges for each unlawful fish and other violations. Purchase licenses at Lee's Texaco, Fox Creek Store, Mrs. Rio's, Rocky Mountain Lodge, Skyline Lodge, and the Lodge at Platoro. Except for active military personnel, resident licenses require proof of 6 months in state residence. Here is the current license fees from the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
| Annual |
$26.00 |
$56.00 |
Combination Small Game & Fishing
(If born after 1948, you must show hunter education card) |
$41.00 |
N/A |
Senior Annual
(64 years and older) |
Free |
Colorado residents only |
| Five-Day |
$21.00 |
$21.00 |
| One-Day |
$9.00 |
$9.00 |
2nd Rod Stamp
(available to licensed residents and nonresidents and to persons under 16 years) |
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
Youth (under 16)
Can take a full bag and possession limit without a license. |
free |
free |
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* Costs include a .25¢ Search and Rescue Fee.
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Season: Open 24 hours per day and all year long.
Methods of Take: Each fisherman is allowed to use only one rod or line unless a second rod stamp is purchased to use two. No more than three hooks are allowed per line. Natural or man made bait is allowed except in special fly only or fly and lure only waters. The use of live baitfish in this area is prohibited. Chumming, netting, seining, snagging, trapping or any method of catching fish except angling is prohibited.
Bag and Possession Limit: Except in special regulation areas a mixed bag of 4 trout, splake, char, salmon (except kokanee), or grayling may be caught per day and 8 possessed at a time. Exceptions are possession of 10 kokanee salmon and an additional 10 brook trout under 8" may also be kept.
Donation of Fish: A limit may be donated to any license holder or to a person at their home with a donation slip. You may only keep one limit per day whether you donate it or not. When receiving donated fish they count as your catch. When you have kept your limit you must stop fishing for the day.
Private Lakes and Streams: State fishing and hunting laws apply to all lands public or private even if you purchase and stock your own fish unless a private lake license is applied for and granted. Fish caught under a private lake license can only be transported with a receipt from the license holder. There is one private lake (Bear Creek Sub Division) and one hatchery in this area (Crowther's).
Special Regulation Waters:
- The Conejos River from the Platoro Bridge down to the confluence of the South Fork. Artificial flies and lures only may be used and only 2 trout of 16" or longer may be kept.
- The Conejos River from Menkhaven to the Aspen Glade Campground. Artificial flies only. Two trout 16" or longer may be kept.
- Sheep and Bear Creeks and Kerr Lake are all artificial Fly and lure only with a limit of 2 trout from each.
- The Lake Fork of the Conejos, Wolf, Jim, Torsido, Cascade, and Osier Creeks, Rhodes Gulch, and Rio De Los Pinos (above the falls) are artificial fly and lure only and all cutthroats returned alive immediately.
- The Rio De Los Pinos in the Cumbres Subdivision is fly only, all fish returned alive immediately.
Antonito Colorado Business Listings:
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