The Eagle River SWA fishing leases are public access, not a park

Along the Eagle River you may see signs for the Eagle River State Wildlife Area. It is easy to assume that means a park you can wander into, but a State Wildlife Area is a different thing. These are lands managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife mainly for wildlife, and several are stretches of fishing access leased to give the public a place to reach the water.

That changes how you use them. Visitors 16 or older generally need a valid hunting or fishing license or an SWA pass. The posted Eagle River lease areas are open for fishing only, with access limited to designated points. Pets and other dogs are prohibited; qualifying service animals remain permitted under Chapter W-9.

These rules apply to the posted fishing-lease areas, not the whole Eagle River corridor. Carry the right credential and read the signs at the access point before leaving the road.

For the current access rules and a map of the Eagle River SWA fishing leases, check the State Wildlife Area page on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife site.