Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has launched an emergency fish salvage at Two Buttes Reservoir in Baca County to prevent fish from dying as the water level continues to fall.

The salvage, which started last Thursday, is meant to let anglers catch and keep all the fish before the reservoir becomes too shallow to support them. CPW says the lake depends entirely on heavy rain to refill it—and no big storms are expected soon.

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“Lake levels have dropped to the point that the reservoir could likely be unable to support a fishery in the near future,” said CPW Wildlife Technician Brian Marsh.

Anglers can now keep every fish they catch - no limits on size or number. The lake is home to bluegill, catfish, crappie, walleye, and saugeye. People must have a valid 2025 Colorado fishing license to fish. Two rods are allowed per person. Commercial fishing is not permitted.

CPW warns that if a cold snap hits and the lake freezes, oxygen levels under the ice could drop so low that fish would suffocate. “This emergency fish salvage prevents a waste of these natural resources,” said CPW Aquatic Biologist Jim Ramsay.

It is still illegal to take live fish from one lake and put them in another. Hunting for waterfowl and big game is also happening on the land around the reservoir, so anglers should watch for hunters.

Signs will be posted at the lake, and a notice will be issued when the salvage ends.

For those looking for other places to fish nearby, CPW recommends John Martin Reservoir State Park and Adobe Creek Reservoir State Wildlife Area (also known as Blue Lake).