Get together with some friends and head out for an ice fishing adventure. Tournaments are held almost weekly 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.
2017 Ice Fishing Tournaments in Colorado:
Ice Addiction Tournament Series
The heaviest fish wins, $3,000 cash 1st prize.
- Jan 7 – Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland
- Jan 21 – Chatfield State Park in Littleton
- Jan 28 – Starvation Reservoir in Utah
- Feb 11 – Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison
Steamboat Great Outdoors Ice Fishing Tournament
5th annual tournament at Stagecoach State Park on Sat, Jan 7. It’s limited to trout species only and 200 participants. Entry for youth 17 and under is free. It runs from 9am-3pm and cash prizes are offered, with some proceeds going to Oak Creek Fire Corps.
Colorado Classic PRO/AM Ice Fishing Tournament
11 Mile Marina presents three contests in one held January 7, February 4 and March 4 held at Eleven Mile Reservoir. Thousands of dollars in cash and prizes up for grabs.
Cabela’s Colorado Classic Ice Fishing Tournament
Three round tournament at Eleven Mile Reservoir in Lake George. Thousands of dollars in cash prizes for pike, trout and salmon. Tournament hours are from 7am to 2:30pm. A team consists of two people, with at least one 18+.
- Jan 11 – The Grand Slam, $8,060 cash paid
- Feb 8 – Southpark Ice Masters, $8,060 cash paid
- Mar 8 – Marina March Madness, $9,560 cash paid
Walks On Water Ice Fishing Tournament
Annual contest at Rifle Gap State Park on Sat, Jan 21-22. Are ages can fish and 17 and under are free! Divisions for rainbow trout, brown trout and yellow perch.
Monument Lake Wounded Warriors Ice Fishing Tournament
Back for a 7th year on Sat, Jan 21st at Monument Lake in downtown Monument. It’s the closest tournament for most people on the Front Range. It runs from 9am to 1pm.
Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest
29th annual event at Lake Granby, Grand Lake, and Shadow Mountain Lake, from Sat, Jan 27 to Sun, Jan 29. Fish one, two or three days. More than $18,000 in cash prizes is awarded!. Plus get cash prizes up to 8th place. There will be a Big Fish drawing category. Over $3000 in fishing gear will be given away. Entry gets you a raffle ticket and a commemorative hat.
Island Lake Ice Fishing Contest
Island Lake in Cedaredge hosts their 5th annual ice fishing tournament on Sat, February 4th from 9am-3pm. Kids under 18 can compete for free, but not for prize money.
Delaney Butte Lakes Ice Fishing Tournament
Held Saturday, February 4th 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.
Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby
18th annual tournament returns February 11 and 12 at Twin Lakes Reservoir, south of Leadville. Event attracts hundreds of anglers from across the state competing for cash and prizes. Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in Mackinaw, Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat. Children 12 and under compete for 1st place belt buckles, and 2nd & 3rd place trophies.
Vallecito Conservation & Sporting Association
Held February 18 from 6:30am to 2:30pm at Vallecito Lake between Durango and Bayfield. Prizes awarded in three categories: Largest Trout, Largest Pike, Heaviest Stringer. Kids 5-12 will receive a complimentary ice fishing starter kit while supplies last.
Tarryall Ice Fishing Tournament
Presented by the Chaparral Park General Store on Sat, Feb 18 at Spinney Mountain Reservoir. Cash prizes for first fish, biggest trout, biggest pike and trout total combined weight (4 max). Raffle tickets given out for doors prizes.
Wolford Reservoir Ice Fishing Contest
20th annual tournament at Wolford Mountain Reservoir in Kremmling on Sat, Feb 18.
Grand Lake Catch & Release Ice Fishing Contest
6th annual catch and release tournament held Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6. A Welcome Party is held Friday night at 5:30 for registration and door prizes. Prizes awarded in three divisions: Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. Award Ceremony is held at Pancho & Lefty’s Sunday at 1pm.
You can find out more about winter fishing and stay up-to-date on lake conditions at Ice Fish Colorado. Gear can be rented in Golden from Ice Fishing Colorado LLC.
Please share any tournaments we missed below.
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