Colorado Parks and Wildlife has authorized an emergency public fish salvage at Nee Noshe Reservoir in Kiowa County, effective June 1, as ongoing drought threatens to eliminate the fishery entirely.

Nee Noshe Reservoir, located approximately 12 miles south of Eads and 21 miles north of Lamar on Queens State Wildlife Area, is drying due to drought and reduced reservoir operations and is not expected to refill in the foreseeable future.

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"Nee Noshe Reservoir is experiencing the effects of ongoing drought and reduced reservoir operations, and current conditions indicate the reservoir is unlikely to refill in the foreseeable future," said Jim Ramsay, CPW Aquatic Biologist. "With the potential loss of the fishery, this public salvage gives anglers an opportunity to utilize the resource while conditions still allow."

The reservoir has historically offered walleye, saugeye, wiper, channel catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass. The emergency salvage is authorized under Parks and Wildlife Commission Regulation 104.G and applies only to Nee Noshe Reservoir.

A valid Colorado fishing license is required. Current size, bag, and possession limits are suspended only for Nee Noshe Reservoir for the duration of the salvage. Anglers may use only those angling methods currently legal at the reservoir.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will announce the end date of the emergency salvage when conditions change or the salvage is complete. Notification of opening and closure will be posted by signs at the reservoir.