Queens Reservoir and Jumbo Reservoir in the Great Plains Reservoir system in Colorado are expected to dry up.  That means fish will die.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife department has lifted all limits on fish caught in the reservoirs, which include crappie, bass, walleye, and other warm-water species.

Drought and irrigation demands are blamed for the loss of water in the reservoirs.  Characterized as a fish salvage, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife department posted a online notice on July 25 stating that “Due to severe drought on Colorado’s northeastern plains, the Julesburg Irrigation District expects to drain Jumbo (Julesburg) Reservoir for agricultural use. As such, the fishery resource is in imminent danger. Realizing that the entire fishery may be lost, a public fish salvage is hereby authorized effective July 25, 2022.”  A similar notice for the Queens Reservoir was issued earlier in July.

In other areas of the state, trout are stressed from warm stream waters.