Colorado regulations
Bluegill (Sunfish) Regulations in Colorado 2026
Colorado bluegill regulations in 2026: 20 fish/day bag limit, 20 fish possession. Zone-specific exceptions may apply — see the rule table below. Sourced from CPW.
Rules (29)
Animas River — La Plata From The Confluence With Hermosa Creek Downstream To The State LineOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
Berthoud Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 10 fish in aggregate
- Possession
- 10 fish in aggregate
- Min size
- 10 inches long
Colorado River — Garfield, Eagle, Grand, Mesa From The Confluence With The Williams Fork River Downstream To The State LineOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit for bluegill
Dolores River — Dolores, Mesa, Montezuma, Montrose, San Miguel From McPhee Dam Downstream To The State LineOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit for bluegill
Eagle River — Eagle From The I-70 Exit 147 Bridge In Eagle Downstream To The Confluence With The Colorado RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit for bluegill
Florida River — La Plata From The U.s. 160 Bridge East Of Durango Downstream To The Confluence With The Animas RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit for bluegill
Green River — MoffatOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit for bluegill
Gunnison River From The Confluence With The Smith Fork Downstream To The Confluence With The Colorado RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
Gunnison River, North Fork From The Confluence With Anthracite Creek Downstream To The Confluence With The Gunnison RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
La Plata River From The U.s. 160 Bridge Downstream To The State LineOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
Los Pinos River — Hinsdale, La Plata From The U.s. 160 Bridge In Bayfield Downstream To Navajo ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
Los Pinos River From The U.s. 160 Bridge In Bayfield Downstream To Navajo ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
Mancos River — Montezuma From The U.s. 160 Bridge In Mancos Downstream To The State LineOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
McElmo Creek — Montezuma From The U.s. 160 Bridge East Of Cortez Downstream To The State LineOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
Navajo River — Archuleta, Conejos From The Oso Diversion Dam Downstream To The State LineOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
Piedra River— Archuleta From The U.s. 160 Bridge Downstream To Navajo ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
Rio Blanco River From The Blanco Diversion Dam Downstream To The Confluence With The San Juan RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
San Juan River From U.s. 160 Bridge In Pagosa Springs Downstream To Navajo ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
San Miguel River From The Colo. 90 Bridge At Pinon Downstream To The Confluence With The Dolores RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
Uncompahgre River —Ouray, Montrose, Delta From The Ridgway Dam Downstream To The Confluence With The Gunnison RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
White River — Rio Blanco From Taylor Draw Dam Downstream To The State LineOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
White River — Rio Blanco From The Confluence Of The North And South Forks Of The White River Downstream To Kenney ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
Yampa River — Routt, Moffat From The Headwaters Of The Yampa River Downstream To The Confluence With The Green RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No bag or possession limit
Other Colorado fish regulations
Other regulated species in Colorado with current rule pages — same CPW source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)351 rules
- Largemouth Bass147 rules
- Smallmouth Bass116 rules
- Walleye74 rules
- Crappie (Black & White)45 rules
- Lake Trout44 rules
- Channel Catfish43 rules
- Northern Pike5 rules
Also known as
Bluegill is also called Bluegill (Sunfish), Pumpkinseed, Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, sunfish. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Colorado.
Frequently asked questions
When is Bluegill season in Colorado?
Bluegill season in Colorado is set by CPW. Some zones may have specific open windows; see the rule table above.
What is the size limit for Bluegill in Colorado?
Minimum size for Bluegill in Colorado is 10 inches long in Berthoud Reservoir, per CPW. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Bluegill in Colorado?
Daily bag limit for Bluegill in Colorado is 10 fish in aggregate in Berthoud Reservoir, per CPW.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/colorado/fishing/special-regulations-fishing-waters
- https://www.eregulations.com/colorado/fishing/statewide-bag-possession-limits
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with CPW before keeping a catch.