Colorado Parks and Wildlife has rescinded an emergency fish salvage order at Two Buttes Reservoir State Wildlife Area in Baca County after the reservoir dried completely, ending fishing opportunities at the site.

The reservoir, located in southeast Colorado, depends on runoff from Two Buttes Creek, an intermittent stream that typically remains dry but can carry significant flows during storms.

Extended drought conditions have caused water levels to decline to the point that the reservoir is now dry, according to CPW.

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Despite the current conditions, nearby Black Hole Pond, located below Two Buttes Dam, remains open to anglers and continues to provide fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, green sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish and seasonal rainbow trout.

Two Buttes Reservoir has historically supported populations of largemouth bass, wipers, saugeye, channel catfish, bluegill and crappie when water levels are sufficient.

“Two Buttes Reservoir is an excellent fishery, and when stocked, fish grow quickly in its highly productive waters,” said Jim Ramsay, CPW aquatic biologist. “When full, Two Buttes Reservoir can become one of the best warmwater fisheries in Colorado.”

CPW officials say prairie reservoirs in eastern Colorado often rely on storm-driven runoff rather than consistent inflows, causing water levels and fishing conditions to vary significantly from year to year.

“There aren’t many fishing opportunities in the far southeast corner of Colorado, so it’s a big deal when Two Buttes fills up,” said Brian Marsh, CPW property technician for the Two Buttes State Wildlife Area.

Two Buttes Reservoir is located about 15 miles north of Springfield and about 31 miles south of Lamar, east of U.S. Highway 287.