Flathead Catfish in Colorado
Finding flathead catfish, keeping them legally, and the records.
- 10 a daylimit
- 33 lb 13.6 ozrecord
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Flathead catfish for Colorado anglers
In the Colorado species list flathead catfish sits among the catfish fish; the statewide chart has 1 chart row for it. Where the chart applies (waters statewide), the rule reads: daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate.
The 2023 fish of 33 lb 13.6 oz from John Martin Reservoir holds the state weight mark. The water pages here name it 3 times. 1 water-by-water rules in the brochure single it out, chiefly in Pueblo County.
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| Chart row | Zone | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catfish: Channel, Flathead, Blue | Statewide | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (Colorado Parks and Wildlife), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026; the chart applies on every water not listed in the special regulations.
Biggest flathead catfish in the CPW record book
Weight category
| Entry | Weight | Length | Angler | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | 33 lb 13.6 oz | 39 in | David Medina | John Martin Reservoir | Bent | 2023 |
Measured and released
| Entry | Length | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | 36.5 in | Manuel Losoya | Pueblo Reservoir | 2024 |
Older Master Angler entries
| Entry | Length | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | 36 in | Michael Nelson | Lake Windsor |
A new length record must beat the current one, or 30 inches where no record exists (the Master Angler qualifying length).
CPW Fishing Awards and Records and the 2026 brochure pages 6 and 7, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Waters with their own flathead catfish rules
| Water and section | County | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Pueblo Reservoir | Pueblo | Min. size for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass is 15 inches long. Bag, possession, min. size for walleye and saugeye is 5 in the aggregate, 18 inches long. Only 1 walleye or saugeye in the aggregate longer than … |
Special regulations as printed in the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pp. 11 to 39, checked against CPW Chapter W-1 (as approved 13 November 2025); retrieved October 2026.
General brochure rules that mention flathead catfish
- b. Crustaceans: The following crustaceans may be possessed east of the Continental Divide: virile crayfish, waternymph crayfish, calico crayfish, ringed crayfish and Southern Plains crayfish. The following crustaceans may be possessed on either side of the Continental Divide: freshwater shrimp …p. 8
2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (Colorado Parks and Wildlife),, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Pages that list flathead catfish
Lakes listing flathead catfish
- John Martin Reservoir11,712 acres
- Pueblo Reservoir3,363 acres
- Blue Lake, Boulder County23 acres
CPW Boatable Waters and Quality Waters species fields and state record waters; largest waters first.
Colorado fish in the same group as flathead catfish
- Channel Catfishcatfish
- Blue Catfishcatfish
- Bullheadcatfish
Reservoirs and creeks near Flathead Catfish in photos
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jay Miller from Fly to Eleven Mile Canyon just outside Colorado Springs, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0
Photo: MichaelKirsh, CC BY-SA 4.0
Flathead catfish in Colorado, question by question
What is the Colorado bag limit for flathead catfish?
Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate (statewide); special regulations can change it on listed waters.
How big is the Colorado record flathead catfish?
33 lb 13.6 oz from John Martin Reservoir, by David Medina in 2023.
Where in Colorado do flathead catfish turn up most?
3 water pages here list it, starting with John Martin Reservoir, Pueblo Reservoir and Blue Lake, Boulder County.
Is flathead catfish covered by any special regulation?
Yes; 1 entries name it, for example Pueblo Reservoir in Pueblo County.
Where do flathead catfish sit on the CPW species list?
Catfish on the CPW species list; the chart zones that apply are statewide.
Is there a closed season on flathead catfish?
Colorado waters are open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation closes them; 1 special-regulation entries mention it.
Is a license required before casting for flathead catfish?
Everyone 16 and older needs a CPW fishing license: $44.87 a year for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents, or $18.07 for a resident one-day license.
How is a length record for flathead catfish entered?
Photograph it on a measuring device with a witness and release it; it must beat the current record, or 30 inches where none exists.
Find flathead catfish near you
The pages above carry access and CPW rules.