We love Colorado’s lakes and streams for the serenity they afford. And we love them for the colorful fish they keep. Here we get to know some of the state’s vast array:

Rainbow trout: While it is “the angler’s favorite and the mainstay of Colorado’s hatchery system,” as Colorado Parks and Wildlife describes the species, it is not native to the state. Rainbows are said to have been introduced in the 1880s. They’ve gone on to be that delightful, shiny sight spotted in waters from the mountains to the plains.

Cutthroat trout: CPW notes three natives to the state: the greenback, the Rio Grande and the Colorado. Red throats distinguish the fish from rainbows, along with bolder spots. The greenback is the designated state fish. It’s celebrated at the historic Leadville National Fish Hatchery, which has been at the forefront of recovery efforts.

Brown trout: Like rainbows, browns were introduced to Colorado in the late 19th century and similarly swim in rivers and reservoirs all over the state. Where it lacks the color of the rainbow, it makes up for in size. State record books list a 30.5-pounder compared with just a 19.6-pound rainbow (both caught in Gunnison County).

Brook trout: All fish are hungry, but especially the brook. It feasts on insects and “will rise to a large range of small lures, baits and flies,” according to CPW. The agency considers the white-spotted, colorfully finned trout “prolific” and often “overpopulated” as it outcompetes other species.

Lake trout: It is North America’s largest trout — as Colorado’s record 50-pounder goes to show. That fish was caught in Blue Mesa Reservoir, representing the kind of big and deep water where lake trout prefer to lurk.

Kokanee salmon: Blue Mesa Reservoir is also a hot spot for these lunkers, which flash silver and reddish and can span more than 20 inches. Males develop peculiar “hook jaws.” These fish are a sight to see — and a tasty meal to be had, anglers will tell you.

Walleye: Some prefer to eat salmon while others swear by walleye, which have been stocked in large reservoirs over the years. A greater feast can be had with walleye; their record weights, exceeding 18 pounds, are more than double that of Kokanee salmon. They are different lookers with those dorsal fins.

Yellow perch: It might be the state’s most abundant game fish, CPW notes, “and one of the most table-worthy.” The fish is much smaller than the others, a pound or two typically. Along with the yellowish bodies, they are marked by dark stripes and swim in eye-catching schools.

Channel catfish: From its native waters in eastern Colorado, the species has gone on to warmer rivers and lakes statewide. Aurora Reservoir was home to the record catch — 43.38 pounds — in 2010. The fish sport whiskers (technically called barbels) you’d expect on a cat.

Bass: To the delight of the fishing masses, smallmouth and largemouth bass can be found in Front Range waters from Lake Pueblo to Horsetooth Reservoir. On the Western Slope, Yampa River is well-known for smallies, which aren’t so different in terms of capable lengths exceeding 20 inches. The red eyes and faint, vertical stripes are different from largemouths.

Tiger muskie: It was brought to Colorado in the 1980s to control sucker and carp numbers and to provide a trophy chase. Colored like a tiger, with teeth also of a predator, you can find it atop state record books for all fish types: one at 40.15 pounds pulled from Quincy Reservoir and another measuring 41.5 inches taken from Clear Creek Reservoir.

Mountain whitefish: It is true to the name in color and location, native to northwest Colorado’s mountainous Yampa and White rivers. The fish was later added to the Colorado and Cache la Poudre rivers, giving more anglers the challenge presented by its small, delicate mouth.

Grayling: Outside Walden, the high-mountain Joe Wright Reservoir is a surprise, predominant home of this surprise species of the arctic. Here, CPW has reported successful stocking and spawning of the fish, unmistakable for its “large, sail-like dorsal fin.” CPW reports the fish “can be a nice challenge, not to mention a great photo opportunity.”