Effective immediately, all bag and possession limits for all fish species have been lifted at the popular Antero Reservoir in Park County ahead of an impending reservoir drawdown that’s set to take place.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, they’ve authorized the emergency public salvage to help mitigate fish loss. The drawdown that’s set to take place will involve draining water in an effort to save water resources. Antero Reservoir supplies Denver Water, but is also a reservoir where evaporation can be problematic. Roughly one-quarter of its 20,000 acre-feet capacity is expected to evaporate in the absence of a drawdown, thus the decision was made to move Antero Reservoir’s water to Cheesman Reservoir, which is located in Sedalia. The transfer could save about 5,000 acre-feet of water amid the ongoing drought, which is enough to satisfy the water needs of 15,000 to 20,000 single-family households for a year.

The emergency fish salvage will be active through sunset on May 13. Camping in the area will also be allowed through May 13.

It’s also crucial to note that Antero Reservoir has tested positive for New Zealand mudsnails, which are considered an invasive aquatic nuisance species. Because of this, all people boating on the reservoir need to clean, drain, and dry all gear prior to entering another body of water.

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife appreciates the public’s help in harvesting fish from Antero and utilizing those resources as much as possible,” said Kyle Battige, CPW Senior Aquatic Biologist. “We are currently evaluating the feasibility of CPW-led salvage efforts and hope to rebuild into a high quality fishery once the reservoir is filled in the future.”

Aside from bag and possession limits, all other regulations still apply. A valid Colorado fishing license is still required and only legal methods of take can be used. Motorized boating and commercialized fishing are not allowed, but hand-launched vessels and shoreline angling is permitted.

The reservoir was also drained amid drought in 2002 – that time it wasn’t reopened until 2007.

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