Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces emergency public fish salvage at Daigre Reservoir

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife has declared an emergency public fish salvage effective immediately at Daigre Reservoir on Wahatoya State Wildlife Area in Huerfano County, opening the reservoir's fishery to the public as extreme drought forces a drawdown to supply municipal water to Walsenburg and La Veta.

Wahatoya Reservoir has already been drained under the same conditions, making Daigre Reservoir the next available municipal water source. The emergency salvage order was signed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Laura Clellan under Parks and Wildlife Commission Regulation 104.G.

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"The fish belong to the public, and we want to provide anglers the opportunity to harvest as many fish as possible before declining water levels potentially cause us to lose the fishery," said Carrie Tucker, CPW aquatic biologist. "This emergency public fish salvage allows the public to benefit from the resource while conditions still allow access."

Daigre Reservoir supports a fishery for tiger muskie, bass, trout, and bluegill.

CPW fisheries staff also plan to conduct their own salvage operations, relocating fish to other public waters where practical. Fish removed from Daigre Reservoir are expected to be stocked in Martin Reservoir and Horseshoe Lake at Lathrop State Park.

The emergency public fish salvage applies only to Daigre Reservoir. Current size, bag, and possession limits are suspended for that reservoir for the duration of the salvage. Anglers may use methods currently legal at the reservoir. Artificial flies and lures restrictions have been lifted, and bait is permitted, excluding live baitfish. The collection, use, or possession of live fish for use as bait is prohibited in all waters east of the Continental Divide above 7,000 feet in elevation.

A valid Colorado fishing license is required for anglers ages 16 and older. Notification of the salvage opening and closure will be posted on signs at the reservoir. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will announce the end of the emergency salvage when conditions change or the salvage is complete.

Fishing license information is available at cpw.state.co.us/activities/fishing/fishing-licenses-and-dates. A statewide fishing atlas is available at ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/index.html?app=FishingAtlas.