Colorado Striped Bass Fishing

Guide to catching striped bass and hybrid stripers on local lakes

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Last updated on January 23, 2026.

Best striper and wiper lakes, lures and bait

Striper Fishing Video

Fishing for Striped Bass in Colorado

When fishing for stripers, concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow, over the deep water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. Check Colorado fishing reports for current striper information. And for the ultimate thrill, try large topwater baits whenever you see surface feeding activity. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes. Striped bass, known for their strength and spirited fights, provide an exhilarating angling experience.

Fishing for Hybrid Stripers in Colorado

Colorado offers several opportunities for hybrid striped bass fishing, which are popular with local anglers. Hybrid stripers are a crossbreed between striped bass and white bass, combining the best characteristics of both species. They are known for their strength, aggressive nature, and impressive fighting ability, making them a thrilling catch for anglers. These "wipers" tend to school around baitfish and follow river channel edges. Fish finders can help you locate schools of fish as well as schools of baitfish. Look for them on flats and long points that connect with channels. Trolling, or still fishing, with live or cut bait are also great options for catching hybrid stripers.

Colorado offers exciting opportunities for striped bass fishing, particularly in certain lakes where hybrid stripers are stocked. Hybrid striped bass, a crossbreed between striped bass and white bass, thrive in the state's waters and provide anglers with an exhilarating fishing experience. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about striped bass and hybrid stripers fishing and identify popular striper waters in the state.

Major lakes in Colorado, such as Pueblo Reservoir, John Martin Reservoir, and Cherry Creek Reservoir, are known for their thriving populations of hybrid striped bass. These fish are highly sought after for their size, strength, and aggressive feeding behavior. Hybrid stripers are known to grow to impressive sizes, with some individuals reaching weights exceeding 20 pounds.

Anglers targeting hybrid striped bass in Colorado often rely on techniques such as trolling, casting with swimbaits or crankbaits, or using live bait such as shad or anchovies. These fish are known for their powerful fights and can put up quite a challenge for anglers.

Colorado recognizes state records for various fish species, including hybrid striped bass. The current state record for hybrid striped bass stands at around 27 pounds, caught in Aurora Reservoir. Anglers who manage to land a hybrid striper of substantial size have the opportunity to etch their names in the state's fishing record books.

Striper & Wiper Fishing Lakes

Barr Lake, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Jackson Lake, John Martin Reservoir, Lonetree Reservoir, Martin Lake, North Sterling Reservoir, Prewitt Reservoir, Pueblo Reservoir, Trinidad Lake and Union Reservoir offer wiper fishing.

There is limited striped bass fishing in Colorado. The state record striped bass came from the Arkansas River. Since then stocking has been reduced or eliminated. If you are willing to travel, Arizona Striped bass fishing is excellent along the string of Colorado River lakes.

State Fish Records

The state record striped bass came from the Arkansas River.

The state record hybrid striped bass (wiper) was taken from Pueblo Reservoir.

When fishing for stripers concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow over the deep water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. And for the ultimate thrill, try large topwater baits whenever you see surface feeding activity. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes.

Colorado Striper Fishing Information

Striped Bass - Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Additional Striper Information

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams become the ideal spawning grounds for stripers.

Stripers Forever

Striped Bass - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Striped bass and hybrid stripers, by state

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