Northern Pike in Colorado
northern pike under the 2026 CPW chart.
- No bag limitlimit
- 30 lb 11 ozrecord
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The Colorado file on Northern pike
CPW files northern pike with the pike group, and the 2026 statewide chart gives it 1 chart row. In waters statewide waters the chart sets no bag or possession limit.
Weight record: 30 lb 11 oz, Stagecoach Reservoir, 2006. Look for it on 35 water pages that list species. The special regulations mention it 40 times, led by La Plata County.
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| Chart row | Zone | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike, Bullhead | Statewide | No bag or possession limit | 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.
The Colorado record northern pike
On the scale
| Entry | Weight | Length | Angler | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | 30 lb 11 oz | 46.5 in | Tim Bone | Stagecoach Reservoir | Routt | 2006 |
Length category
| Entry | Length | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | 47.25 in | Owen Hunsinger | Elder Reservoir | 2024 |
Heritage lengths through 2019
| Entry | Length | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | 48 in | Dennis Bruce | Navajo Reservoir |
A new length record must beat the current one, or 36 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.
Colorado waters that change the northern pike limit
| Water and section | County | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| From the confluence with Hermosa Creek downstream to the state line: | La Plata | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From the confluence with the Williams Fork River downstream to the state line: | Garfield | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From the confluence with the Williams Fork River downstream to the state line: | Eagle | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From the confluence with the Williams Fork River downstream to the state line: | Grand | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From the confluence with the Williams Fork River downstream to the state line: | Mesa | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From McPhee Dam downstream to the state line: | Dolores | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From McPhee Dam downstream to the state line: | Mesa | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From McPhee Dam downstream to the state line: | Montezuma | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From McPhee Dam downstream to the state line: | Montrose | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From the I-70 Exit 147 bridge in Eagle downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River: | Eagle | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From the U.S. 160 bridge east of Durango downstream to the confluence with the Animas River: | La Plata | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| Green River | Moffat | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From the confluence with the Smith Fork downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River: | Delta | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
| From the confluence with the Smith Fork downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River: | Gunnison | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. |
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.
Fine print on northern pike
- 4. Underwater spearfishing, archery, slingbows and gigs Bow anglers are advised to reference the current State Recreation Lands brochure for more regulations on waters that allow archery fishing. a. Underwater spearfishing, archery, slingbows and gigs may be used statewide for the taking of carp …p. 8
- 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.
Spots across the state where northern pike show up
Ponds and reservoirs with northern pike
- Navajo Reservoir15,753 acres
- Eleven Mile Reservoir3,415 acres
- Vallecito Reservoir2,472 acres
- Taylor Reservoir2,041 acres
- Spinney Mountain Reservoir2,002 acres
- Williams Fork Reservoir1,552 acres
- Wolford Mountain Reservoir1,548 acres
- Sanchez Reservoir1,457 acres
- Stagecoach Reservoir768 acres
- Elkhead Reservoir706 acres
- Narraguinnep Reservoir533 acres
- Crawford Reservoir324 acres
- Rifle Gap Reservoir250 acres
- Totten Reservoir225 acres
- Harvey Gap Reservoir202 acres
- Tarryall Reservoir190 acres
- Martin Lake168 acres
- Puett Reservoir155 acres
- Skaguay Reservoir110 acres
- Rio Blanco Lake108 acres
- Lagerman Reservoir97 acres
- Boxelder Lake #349 acres
- St. Vrain State Park Pelican42 acres
- Stabilization Reservoir41 acres
Creeks and rivers with northern pike
- Yampa RiverRoutt County
CPW Boatable Waters and Quality Waters species fields and state record waters; largest waters first.
Species filed beside northern pike
- Tiger Muskiepike
High-country water around Northern Pike, photographed
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Hustvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jaywm, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Northern pike across Colorado: common questions
How many northern pike may I keep in Colorado?
No bag or possession limit (statewide); special regulations can change it on listed waters.
Does CPW keep a record for northern pike?
30 lb 11 oz from Stagecoach Reservoir, by Tim Bone in 2006.
Which water pages on this site carry northern pike?
35 water pages here list it, starting with Navajo Reservoir, Eleven Mile Reservoir and Vallecito Reservoir.
Which Colorado waters single out northern pike?
Yes; 40 entries name it, for example From the confluence with Hermosa Creek downstream to the state line: in La Plata County.
Which category do northern pike fall under in Colorado?
Pike on the CPW species list; the chart zones that apply are statewide.
Can I fish for northern pike all year in Colorado?
Colorado waters are open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation closes them; 40 special-regulation entries mention it.
Which Colorado license covers northern pike?
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 do I submit a northern pike to CPW?
Photograph it on a measuring device with a witness and release it; it must beat the current record, or 36 inches where none exists.
Plan a northern pike outing
Open a lake or stream above and read its rules first.