Bowfishing Laws in Colorado: What You Need to Know Before You Shoot

Bowfishing in Colorado is a legal and growing sport, but it comes with a specific set of rules you need to understand before you ever draw a bow near the water. The state’s regulations are designed to protect native fish populations, manage invasive species, and keep Colorado’s waterways healthy for everyone.

Whether you’re a seasoned archer looking to add a new challenge or a first-time bowfisher trying to figure out where to start, knowing the rules upfront saves you from costly mistakes. This guide breaks down every major regulation you need to follow, from which fish are legal targets to where you’re allowed to shoot and what equipment CPW permits.

Important Note: Bowfishing regulations in Colorado can change from season to season. Always verify the current rules with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before heading out.

Is Bowfishing Legal in Colorado

Colorado allows you to bowfish for non-game and invasive fish species, but you cannot bowfish for game fish. That distinction is the foundation of the entire regulatory framework in the state, and it shapes everything from which species you can target to which waters you can access.

In Colorado, “fishing” includes hook and line, handline, trot-line, jugs, archery, and spearfishing. This means bowfishing is treated as a recognized method of take under state law, subject to the same general fishing regulations that govern all other methods.

Colorado is known for outdoor recreation and it doesn’t stop at bowfishing. Though it’s strongly regulated — you can’t use a crossbow — there are several species of fish bowfishers are welcome to target. Many locals will tell you that rules change quickly in Colorful Colorado, so it’s best to check with officials before beginning to fish a certain stretch of water.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meets regularly to update regulations, so what was true last season may not apply today. Treat the CPW’s official fishing brochure as your primary reference, not third-party summaries alone.

What Fish Can You Bowfish for in Colorado

The species question is where most bowfishers run into trouble. Colorado draws a hard line between game fish, which are off-limits to bowfishing, and non-game or invasive species, which are legal targets.

Game fish — including trout, bass, catfish, walleye, and other native species — are protected by Colorado regulations and cannot be taken by bow under any circumstances. Targeting these species with archery equipment is a violation regardless of the water body or time of year.

Legal targets for bowfishing in Colorado include:

• Common carp — Carp and gar are two common targets for bowfishers in Colorado. Carp, known for their large size and strong fighting ability, can be found in shallow waters and are easily spotted due to their distinctive, dark-colored scales.
• Longnose gar — Gar have long snouts and sharp teeth, making them a challenging and exciting catch.
• Northern pike (in select waters) — While not native to all Colorado waters, pike pose an ecological threat and are legal to bowfish where permitted.
• Longnose suckers — Not as widespread as carp or grass carp, but permitted in some areas.

The following species are threatened, endangered, or nongame and must be returned to the water immediately if caught: Arkansas darter, Bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, Humpback chub, Razorback sucker, Rio Grande sucker, and Boreal toad. If you accidentally shoot one of these, release it immediately.

Pro Tip: Common carp is the most accessible and widely distributed legal bowfishing target in Colorado. Focus your early trips on warm, shallow reservoirs and slow-moving river sections where carp congregate near the surface in spring and early summer.

Colorado has specific seasonal restrictions on bowfishing to protect spawning fish populations during critical times of the year. It’s crucial to be aware of these restrictions and plan your bowfishing trips accordingly. During the spring months, many fish species in Colorado migrate to shallow waters to spawn, making them more vulnerable to overfishing. Always check the current CPW brochure for any seasonal closures on specific water bodies before targeting even legal species.

Bowfishing License Requirements in Colorado

In Colorado, to legally engage in bowfishing, you will need a valid fishing license. The cost of the license may vary depending on your residency status and the duration of the license.

In Colorado, you are required to have a valid fishing license to engage in bowfishing. The same fishing license that is used for traditional rod and reel fishing is applicable for bowfishing activities as well. There is no separate bowfishing-specific permit required beyond the standard fishing license, contrary to some outdated sources that suggest otherwise.

Any angler aged 16 or older must carry a valid fishing license while fishing in Colorado’s public waters. All youth under 16 can take a full bag and possession limit without a license.

As of the 2026–2027 fishing season (which began March 1, 2026), resident adults pay $44.87 for an annual license, while non-residents pay $124.01. You can also purchase short-term options if you’re visiting for a limited time.

A Habitat Stamp ($12.76) is required for all anglers ages 18–64 as part of every license purchase. Only one stamp is required per year, regardless of how many licenses you buy.

License Type	Who It Applies To	Fee (2026–2027 Season)
Annual Resident	Colorado residents 18+	$44.87
Annual Non-Resident	Non-residents 18+	$124.01
Youth (16–17)	Resident youth	$10.23
Under 16	All youth under 16	Free (no license required)
Habitat Stamp	All anglers ages 18–64	$12.76 (required annually)

Colorado residents must provide proof of residency to purchase any fishing licenses set aside for Colorado residents. A Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is required by federal law for all new license purchasers aged 16 and older. Without it, you cannot legally buy a Colorado fishing license.

You can purchase your license online at cpw.state.co.us/buy-apply, carry a digital version on the My CPW app, or buy through hundreds of retailers, including sporting goods stores and bait shops across the state. If you’re interested in how other Colorado animal and wildlife regulations are structured, the state’s approach to wildlife removal laws in Colorado follows a similarly license-based framework.

Key Insight: Free fishing days in Colorado fall on the first full weekend of June each year. On these days, residents and nonresidents can fish without a license or Habitat Stamp, though all other rules and bag limits still apply. Bowfishing is permitted during free fishing days, but all species and equipment rules remain in effect.

Legal Bowfishing Equipment in Colorado

Colorado’s equipment rules for bowfishing are straightforward but firm. Getting your gear setup right before you hit the water is not optional — using prohibited equipment can result in fines and confiscation.

Only traditional bows or compound bows are permitted. The use of crossbows for bowfishing is not allowed in Colorado. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood rules, so make sure your setup uses a hand-drawn bow only.

Legal bowfishing equipment generally includes:

• Recurve bows — A traditional and widely used option for bowfishing
• Compound bows — Legal and popular for their power and accuracy at close range
• Bowfishing arrows — Must be equipped with a barbed or harpoon-style tip to prevent fish from sliding off
• Bowfishing reel — You’ll need a reel to retrieve your line and a durable arrow with a sharp tip to penetrate the fish.

Legal archery equipment is any hand-drawn and released long bow, recurve bow, compound bow, or rubberband-assisted (sling) bow to which an arrow is attached by a line and equipped with a harpoon-style point or wire-barbed point.

Common Mistake: Bringing a crossbow to a bowfishing trip in Colorado is a violation that can result in significant fines. Crossbows are prohibited for bowfishing regardless of physical ability or circumstance, unless a special permit has been issued.

Beyond your bow setup, if you’re bowfishing from a motorized boat, any boat (motor or sail) operated in Colorado must be registered and purchase an ANS stamp. It is the responsibility of the vessel or other floating device operator to clean, drain water from all compartments and motors/engines between launches, and dry the vessel or other floating device in between launches to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.

Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in Colorado

Colorado offers a wide range of public waters for bowfishing, but access is not universal. Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, all waters of the state shall be open to fishing using all manners of take day and night, year around. However, specific water bodies carry their own restrictions, and bowfishing in particular is subject to additional limitations based on species protections and access rules.

Colorado offers a wide range of lakes and reservoirs where bowfishing is permitted. While this list is not exhaustive, it highlights some of the popular lakes that allow bowfishing in Colorado. Popular spots include warm-water reservoirs on the Eastern Plains, where carp populations are dense and access is generally open.

Places where bowfishing is restricted or prohibited include:

• Gold Medal Waters — Gold Medal Waters are the highest quality cold-water habitats and have the capability to produce many quality-sized trout. CPW has established criteria and management guidelines to support the public interest in angling, observing, and protecting these significant cold-water fishery resources. These waters typically restrict gear types severely, and bowfishing is not a permitted method.
• Catch-and-release-only waters — Any water designated as catch-and-release prohibits the harvest of any fish, making bowfishing effectively illegal there.
• Federal fish hatcheries — Only those persons designated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service may take fish, amphibians, mollusks, or crustaceans within the boundaries of any Federal fish hatchery.
• Emergency closure waters — Emergency closure of waters may be authorized for up to nine months when environmental conditions in these waters warrant and fishing could result in unacceptable levels of fish mortality. Public notice will be given if waters are closed and notice will be posted at the site.

Anyone aged 16 or older must also carry a valid hunting or fishing license just to access any Colorado State Wildlife Area or CPW-leased State Trust Land — even for non-fishing purposes. Keep your license on you any time you’re on state wildlife areas.

Private land access is another consideration. Bowfishing can be done from a boat or on the shore, depending on your preference and the fishing spot, but you must have legal access to the bank or shore you’re shooting from. Trespassing onto private property to bowfish is a separate legal violation entirely. For context on how Colorado handles other property and animal-related access issues, you can review Colorado’s laws on neighbors’ dogs on your property, which reflects similar private property principles.

Pro Tip: Eastern Plains reservoirs such as John Martin Reservoir, Adobe Creek Reservoir, and Bonny Lake State Park (where applicable) are known for strong carp populations and relatively open access. Always check the CPW fishing brochure for current rules on the specific water body before you go.

Night Bowfishing Rules in Colorado

Night bowfishing is one of the most effective ways to target carp and other non-game species, and Colorado does allow it under the general framework of its fishing regulations.

Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, all waters of the state shall be open to fishing using all manners of take day and night, year around. This is the baseline rule — night fishing is generally permitted unless a specific water body has posted restrictions against it.

Night shooting is allowed for bowfishing in Colorado, but there are specific regulations and restrictions. It is recommended to check the CPW website or contact the Colorado Bowfishing Association (COBF) for more information.

Key considerations for night bowfishing in Colorado include:

• Lighting equipment — Lights are commonly used to spot fish at night and are legal for bowfishing purposes. Underwater lights, bow-mounted lights, and boat-mounted floodlights are all used by bowfishers to illuminate shallow water.
• Boat registration — If you’re operating a motorized vessel at night, standard boating safety laws apply, including required navigation lights.
• Water-specific restrictions — Some reservoirs and state wildlife areas post their own rules about nighttime access or activity. Check signage and the CPW brochure for your target water before going out after dark.
• Species rules still apply — Shooting at night does not change which species you’re allowed to target. Game fish remain off-limits regardless of the hour.

Important Note: Just because night bowfishing is broadly permitted does not mean every water is open after dark. State wildlife areas, state parks, and some reservoirs have posted closure hours for public access. Verify access hours for your specific location before planning a night trip.

With the support of the Colorado Bowfishing Association (COBF), bowfishermen have access to valuable information, regulations, and resources. Connecting with the COBF is a practical way to stay current on water-specific night bowfishing conditions across the state. You can also find broader context on Colorado’s outdoor and animal laws through resources like Colorado’s roadkill laws and animal cruelty laws in Colorado, which reflect how the state balances wildlife access with protection.

Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in Colorado

Colorado is a landlocked state with no ocean coastline, so there are no saltwater bowfishing regulations to follow within state borders. Unlike coastal states where bowfishers can pursue redfish, flounder, or stingrays in tidal waters, Colorado’s bowfishing opportunities are entirely limited to freshwater environments.

Colorado offers unrivaled opportunity to fish over 35 species in some of the most scenic bodies of water. Fish anywhere in 6,000 miles of streams and more than 1,300 lakes and reservoirs. All of these are freshwater systems — rivers, high-alpine lakes, plains reservoirs, and mountain streams.

If you’re a Colorado-based bowfisher interested in saltwater opportunities, you’ll need to travel to a neighboring or coastal state and obtain the appropriate license for that jurisdiction. Each state has its own saltwater bowfishing rules, which vary significantly. For example, the regulations in Florida — a popular destination for saltwater bowfishing — differ entirely from Colorado’s freshwater-only framework.

Within Colorado itself, the closest equivalent to “saltwater” bowfishing would be targeting non-game species in large warm-water reservoirs, where conditions and species diversity more closely resemble what you’d find in lowland river systems. These waters hold the highest concentrations of legal bowfishing targets like carp and rough fish.

Key Insight: Colorado’s bowfishing scene is entirely freshwater. If you see references to “saltwater bowfishing in Colorado” online, those sources are either incorrect or referring to out-of-state travel. Focus your planning on the state’s warm-water reservoirs and river systems for legal, productive bowfishing.

Understanding Colorado’s full range of wildlife and animal regulations helps you stay compliant across all outdoor activities. Whether you’re dealing with dog leash laws in Colorado, pit bull regulations, or backyard chicken laws, the state’s approach consistently emphasizes responsible use and clear licensing requirements. Bowfishing is no different — follow the rules, target only legal species, and always verify current regulations with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before each trip.