Colorado Parks and Wildlife has authorized a public fish salvage at Hugo Ponds on the Hugo State Wildlife Area beginning Tuesday, September 1, ahead of aquatic habitat maintenance that will require temporarily draining several ponds.

The salvage is intended to optimize use of the fishery resource in accordance with Parks and Wildlife Commission Regulation 104.G. CPW will lower water levels in select ponds as part of spring maintenance work beginning this fall — the next phase following a recently completed road improvement project designed to reduce sediment entering the ponds.

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"Hugo Ponds is one of the most important fisheries in eastern Colorado," said Tyler Kersey, CPW Assistant Area Wildlife Manager. "This salvage gives anglers an opportunity to use the fishery before we begin essential maintenance work that will improve and strengthen long-term habitat."

Hugo State Wildlife Area is an approximately 2,000-acre property in Lincoln County featuring 19 ponds that support warmwater fishing for bass, bluegill, green sunfish, crappie, and catfish. The area also provides wildlife habitat and public access for dove hunting and limited deer and pronghorn hunting in a region with few such opportunities. Nearby Kinney Lake State Wildlife Area offers similar warmwater fishing.

The following regulations apply during the salvage:

A valid Colorado fishing license is required. Size, bag, and possession limits are suspended for Hugo Ponds State Wildlife Area until the salvage is lifted. Anglers may use only currently legal angling methods. Transporting live fish from one body of water to another is illegal. Salvage notification is posted at the ponds. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will announce the end date of the public fish salvage when conditions change or the salvage is complete.