Colorado Parks and Wildlife lifts catch limits at Smith Reservoir to save fish from draining

Colorado has opened Smith Reservoir to unlimited public fishing to rescue its fish population before a seasonal drawdown wipes them out.

With a reservoir draining and thousands of fish facing certain death, Colorado Parks and Wildlife declared an emergency public fish salvage at Smith Reservoir in Lakewood, effective immediately as of Friday. The agency's decision was triggered by seasonal drawdowns — planned reductions in water levels — that threatened to strand and kill the reservoir's entire fish population before natural conditions could recover. All standard bag and possession limits have been suspended for the duration of the salvage. Anglers are free to harvest largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, and green sunfish in any quantity. Access to the reservoir, which is managed by Lakewood Parks and Recreation, is restricted to shoreline fishing only between 6:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. or dusk, whichever comes first. Motorized boats and wading are both prohibited, and commercial fishing is not permitted under any circumstances. Anglers participating in the salvage must still hold a valid Colorado fishing license and comply with all legal angling methods. The emergency measure remains in effect until the agency determines the risk to the fishery has passed or the salvage is otherwise concluded. Colorado Parks and Wildlife maintains an updated list of drought-related closures and fishing limit changes on its website, along with its Fishing Atlas tool, which also directs anglers to alternative fishing locations across the state.

Why it matters

Without the emergency salvage, the fish population at Smith Reservoir would be lost entirely as water levels drop — a permanent setback for a public recreational fishery in the Denver metro area. The event also highlights a broader pattern of drought-driven fishery stress that Colorado wildlife managers are actively tracking statewide.

What's next

Anglers and wildlife managers should monitor Colorado Parks and Wildlife's website and Fishing Atlas for updates on when the emergency salvage ends and whether normal bag limits are restored.

Key facts

• The emergency salvage at Smith Reservoir in Lakewood, Colorado, took effect immediately on Friday
• All bag and possession limits have been lifted for largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, and green sunfish
• Fishing is permitted only from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. or dusk, whichever is earlier
• Only shoreline fishing is allowed — motorized boating, wading, and commercial fishing are all prohibited
• A valid Colorado fishing license is still required to participate in the salvage
• Lakewood Parks and Recreation controls physical access to the reservoir property

Bias & framing notes

Only one source covered this story, a local county press outlet. The facts reported align closely with the kind of official agency announcement Colorado Parks and Wildlife routinely issues, and no claims appear speculative or contested. The score reflects the absence of a second independent source or direct link to the CPW agency release for corroboration.

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