{Ice fisher catches a beautiful rainbow trout at Eleven Mile Reservoir. Photo: Bugeater} Get together with some friends and head out for an ice fishing adventure. Tournaments are held almost weekly in Colorado from late December through the beginning of March. There are both team and individual tournaments.
Adults will need a valid fishing license to compete in these tournaments. In most of the contests with multiple days, you are free to choose how many days you fish. Cash money is usually the prize. There are very few activities like ice fishing in Colorado where you can walk around on frozen lakes in the middle of the Rocky Mountains.
Colorado’s Winter Ice Fishing Competitions
Here’s a rundown of the ice fishing competitions held during winter 2020 in Colorado. We may have missed a few, so please let us know if we do. Dress warmly and good luck!
Here are the 2020 ice fishing tournaments in Colorado, in order by date:
Steamboat Fishing Adventures Ice Fishing Tournament
The 9th annual tournament at Stagecoach State Park happens on Saturday, January 4th in Oak Creek. It runs from 8am to 3pm and cash prizes are offered. Entry for children 15 and under is free and youth get free Eagle Claw tackle. Prize for Most Pike, Largest Pike, and Combined Length of 2 Largest Trout.
Colorado Classic PRO/AM Ice Fishing Tournaments
11 Mile Marina presents three contests in one: The Grand Slam is held January 11th, South Park Ice Masters TT is February 8th and Marina March Madness is March 7th held. All of the events take place on Saturdays at Eleven Mile Reservoir. Thousands of dollars in cash and prizes up for grabs. You can compete in just one day or buy admission to all three events and save on each.
Barn at Rock Fence Ice Addiction Tournament Series
Ice anglers will appreciate the extensive cash and prize list. The heaviest fish wins, $10,000 cash 1st prize. There are over $25,000 in cash and prizes for the event.
- Saturday, January 18th – Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland, CO
- Saturday, January 25th – Starvation Reservoir, UT
- Saturday, February 1st – Boyd Lake State Park in Orchard, CO
- Saturday, February 22nd – Grand Lake in Grand Lake, CO
3 Lakes Ice Fishing Contest
32nd annual event at Lake Granby, Grand Lake, and Shadow Mountain Lake, from Friday, January 24th to Sunday, January 26th. Fish one, two or three days. Large cash prizes are awarded! Plus get cash prizes up to 8th place. There will be a Big Fish drawing category. Fishing gear will be given away. First 500 entries get a commemorative hat. Youth 17 and under can fish for free.
Monument Lake Wounded Warriors Ice Fishing Tournament
Back for a 8th year on Saturday, February 1st at Monument Lake in downtown Monument. It’s the closest tournament for most people on the Front Range. It runs from 9am to 1pm. All proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior USA. Prizes for biggest fish include: Strike Master Auger, Clam Ice Fishing Hut, Lowrance Fish Finder, GoPro Hero Session.
Delaney Butte Lakes Ice Fishing Tournament
Held Saturday, February 1st in Jackson County’s Delaney Butte Lakes in Walden. No bait or attractants are permitted. Adult prizes awarded through 5th place and youth 16 & under through 4th place.
Wolford Reservoir Ice Fishing Contest
23rd annual tournament at Wolford Mountain Reservoir in Kremmling on Saturday, Feb 15th. Free for 15 and under, unless they want to compete for cash prizes. Thousands of dollars in cash prizes, award top ten largest fish, $10,000 for winner of tagged-fish competition.
You can find out more about winter fishing and stay up-to-date on lake conditions at Ice Fish Colorado.
Thanks for checking out our list of Colorado ice fishing tournaments for the winter 2020 season! Remember to bring your valid fishing license in order to compete. Please share any tournaments we missed on our Facebook page.
Winter Fun in Southwestern Colorado
