The following is neither a comprehensive, nor official list of the lakes where bowfishing is allowed in Colorado.
For the lakes listed below, the COBF has made the initial inquiries with Park/Lake officials to verify that bowfishing is permitted or regulations are specifically stated in the Fishing Regulations and/or Division Properties listings. As always, please refer to your the Colorado DOW fishing regulations AND individual DOW property lake regulations.
If you know of other public lakes in Colorado that allow bowfishing, please email us at info@coloradobowfishing.com.
As ethical and responsible sportsmen and women it is YOUR individual responsibility to always verify with lake/city/DOW officials that bowfishing is legal and permitted at the listed locations, as regulations may change. Since many local laws prohibit the discharge of projectile weapons, ALWAYS pick up the phone and CALL BEFORE bowfishing at your intended location.
Several SWAs state “Discharging firearms or bows prohibited except when hunting.” If this regulation is listed for a property AND the property DOES NOT specifically state that bowfishing is allowed, you CANNOT bowfish there. In 2008, the COBF submitted an issue paper to the Wildlife Commission which resulted in the clarification of certain bowfishing regulations and opened 23 additional SWA properties to bowfishing in Colorado.
NIGHT BOWFISHING WITH ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
Use of artificial light is allowed for fishing in Colorado. (“ARTIFICIAL LIGHT: Legal if used as a fishing aid.”) There are no restrictions concerning the use of artificial light for bowfishing. Regardless, one should contact each lake managing authority to verify that it is allowed. Use the color key codes below when reading the “lakes” list below to determine if bowfishing at night is permitted.
(*) Bowfishing after dark with artificial light is PERMITTED
(X) Bowfishing after dark with artificial light is NOT PERMITTED
(?) Bowfishing after dark with artificial light is UNKNOWN If UNKNOWN (?) the general DOW “Artificial Light” fishing regulation may or may not apply since local lake/park regulations can override this. Please speak with lake officials or your local DOW officer BEFORE you go fishing at night, then let us know so we can update this page.
INVASIVE MUSSELS
The Colorado Department of Wildlife (DOW) is aggressively trying to stop the spread of invasive species such as the Zebra and Quagga Mussel. As a result many lakes now have ramp closures after 10PM. If you are planning on bowfishing at night please BE SURE to check the ramp and lake closure listings located on the DOW Zebra & Quagga Mussels information page
Lakes where bowfishing is permitted
Adobe Creek Reservoir SWA (?)
Atwood SWA (?)
Banner Lakes SWA (?)
Barr Lake State Park (northern half only) (*)
Big Thompson Ponds SWA (?)
Boedecker Reservoir SWA (?)
Bonny Lake State Park (*)
Bosque del Oso SWA (?)
Boyd Lake State Park (*) notify ranger before bowfishing at night.
Brush SWA (?)
Carter lake (almost non-existant carp) (*)
Cherry Creek State Park (*)
Chatfield Reservoir State Park (*)
Eleven Mile Reservoir (X)
Frank SWA (?)
Holbrook Reservoir SWA (?)
Horsetooth Reservoir (very low carp numbers) (*)
Jackson Lake State Park (*) Gas generators must be OFF after 10:00PM
Jackson Lake SWA (*) Gas generators must be OFF after 10:00PM
Gizzard Shad (unless specifically prohibited in specific lake regulations)
White sucker (unless specifically prohibited in specific lake regulations)
Longnose Sucker (unless specifically prohibited in specific lake regulations)
OTHER
ALWAYS be sure of your target before releasing an arrow. You can only bowfish for specific species in Colorado, as listed in the “LEGAL SPECIES” sections above.
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The following is neither a comprehensive, nor official list of the lakes where bowfishing is allowed in Colorado.
For the lakes listed below, the COBF has made the initial inquiries with Park/Lake officials to verify that bowfishing is permitted or regulations are specifically stated in the Fishing Regulations and/or Division Properties listings. As always, please refer to your the Colorado DOW fishing regulations AND individual DOW property lake regulations.
If you know of other public lakes in Colorado that allow bowfishing, please email us at info@coloradobowfishing.com.
As ethical and responsible sportsmen and women it is YOUR individual responsibility to always verify with lake/city/DOW officials that bowfishing is legal and permitted at the listed locations, as regulations may change. Since many local laws prohibit the discharge of projectile weapons, ALWAYS pick up the phone and CALL BEFORE bowfishing at your intended location.
Several SWAs state “Discharging firearms or bows prohibited except when hunting.” If this regulation is listed for a property AND the property DOES NOT specifically state that bowfishing is allowed, you CANNOT bowfish there. In 2008, the COBF submitted an issue paper to the Wildlife Commission which resulted in the clarification of certain bowfishing regulations and opened 23 additional SWA properties to bowfishing in Colorado.
Use of artificial light is allowed for fishing in Colorado. (“ARTIFICIAL LIGHT: Legal if used as a fishing aid.”) There are no restrictions concerning the use of artificial light for bowfishing. Regardless, one should contact each lake managing authority to verify that it is allowed. Use the color key codes below when reading the “lakes” list below to determine if bowfishing at night is permitted.
(*) Bowfishing after dark with artificial light is PERMITTEDNIGHT BOWFISHING WITH ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
(X) Bowfishing after dark with artificial light is NOT PERMITTED
(?) Bowfishing after dark with artificial light is UNKNOWN
If UNKNOWN (?) the general DOW “Artificial Light” fishing regulation may or may not apply since local lake/park regulations can override this. Please speak with lake officials or your local DOW officer BEFORE you go fishing at night, then let us know so we can update this page.
INVASIVE MUSSELS
The Colorado Department of Wildlife (DOW) is aggressively trying to stop the spread of invasive species such as the Zebra and Quagga Mussel. As a result many lakes now have ramp closures after 10PM. If you are planning on bowfishing at night please BE SURE to check the ramp and lake closure listings located on the DOW Zebra & Quagga Mussels information page