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.
Colorado’s Annual Ice Fishing Tournaments
Ice Addiction Tournament Series
The heaviest fish wins, $3,000 cash 1st prize.
- Jan 6 – Chatfield State Park in Littleton
- Jan 20 – Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland
- Jan 27 – Starvation Reservoir in Utah
- Feb 10 – Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison
- Feb 17 – Idaho
Steamboat Fishing Adventures Ice Fishing Tournament
7th annual tournament at Stagecoach State Park on Sat, Jan 6. It runs from 8am-4pm and cash prizes are offered. Entry for youth 15 and under is free, youth get free Eagle Claw tackle.
Colorado Classic PRO/AM Ice Fishing Tournament
11 Mile Marina presents three contests in one held January 6, February 3 and March 3 held at Eleven Mile Reservoir. Thousands of dollars in cash and prizes up for grabs.
Walks On Water Ice Fishing Tournament
2nd annual contest at Georgetown Lake on Sat, Feb 24. Catch and release tournament, offering a chance to win an extra $10,000 for first place. Are ages can fish and 17 and under are free! 20 trophies go out for kids. Drill your own holes, complimentary augers available.
Monument Lake Wounded Warriors Ice Fishing Tournament
Back for a 8th year on Sat, Jan 20th 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.
Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest
30th annual event at Lake Granby, Grand Lake, and Shadow Mountain Lake, from Fri, Jan 26 to Sun, Jan 28. 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.
Delaney Butte Lakes Ice Fishing Tournament
Held Saturday, February 3rd 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.
Tarryall Ice Fishing Tournament
Presented by the Chaparral Park General Store on Sat, Feb 17 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. 10% of proceeds benefits food charity in Hartsel. Door prizes.
Wolford Reservoir Ice Fishing Contest
21st annual tournament at Wolford Mountain Reservoir in Kremmling on Sat, Feb 17. 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. Gear can be rented in Golden from Ice Fishing Colorado LLC.
Please share any tournaments we missed in the comments.
