Grass Carp in Colorado
Finding grass carp, keeping them legally, and the records.
- off chartlimit
- 57 lb 13 ozrecord
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not a Colorado water: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Grass carp for Colorado anglers
In the Colorado species list grass carp sits among the record only fish; the statewide chart has no chart row of its own for it.
The 2013 fish of 57 lb 13 oz from Cottonwood Park Lake holds the state weight mark. The water pages here name it 2 times.
Biggest grass carp in the CPW record book
Weight category
| Entry | Weight | Length | Angler | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Carp | 57 lb 13 oz | 47 in | Brian Husmann | Cottonwood Park Lake | Jefferson | 2013 |
Measured and released
| Entry | Length | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Carp | 37 in | Daniel Geiger | Allen Park Lake | 2024 |
Older Master Angler entries
| Entry | Length | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Carp | 46.5 in | Rory Chinatti | Rock Creek Ponds |
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.
General brochure rules that mention grass carp
- 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 grass carp
Lakes listing grass carp
- Cottonwood Park Lake6 acres
- Allen Park Lake4 acres
CPW Boatable Waters and Quality Waters species fields and state record waters; largest waters first.
Colorado fish in the same group as grass carp
- Rock Bassrecord only
- Common Carprecord only
- American Eelrecord only
- Freshwater Drumrecord only
- Sacramento Perchrecord only
- White Suckerrecord only
- Tenchrecord only
- Longnose Suckerrecord only
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Grass carp in Colorado, question by question
What is the Colorado bag limit for grass carp?
The 2026 chart leaves it off; off-chart species carry no limit unless restricted.
How big is the Colorado record grass carp?
57 lb 13 oz from Cottonwood Park Lake, by Brian Husmann in 2013.
Where in Colorado do grass carp turn up most?
2 water pages here list it, starting with Cottonwood Park Lake and Allen Park Lake.
Is grass carp covered by any special regulation?
No special-regulation entry names it, so the statewide chart applies unless a water closes or limits all fishing.
Where do grass carp sit on the CPW species list?
Record only on the CPW species list; the chart zones that apply are statewide.
Is there a closed season on grass carp?
Colorado waters are open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation closes them; no entry names it.
Is a license required before casting for grass carp?
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 grass carp 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.