Colorado Wildlife Officials Urge Anglers to Fish Out Lake Before Dam Leak Drains Reservoir

A leaking outlet valve on a dam at Summit Reservoir in southwestern Colorado is rapidly draining the lake, prompting wildlife officials to call on anglers to help salvage the fish before the water is gone.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced an emergency public fish salvage effort on Thursday in hopes of saving as many fish as possible—including channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, perch, and rainbow trout—from dying needlessly.

“With the water level dropping so fast, it will be nearly impossible to salvage fish alive for relocation,” said CPW Senior Aquatic Biologist Jim White. “This public salvage is the best way to make use of the fishery before it’s lost.”

Anglers must have a valid 2025 Colorado fishing license and are allowed to fish with two rods at a time using any legal methods typically permitted at Summit Reservoir. However, commercial fishing is banned, and it remains illegal to transport live fish between bodies of water.

CPW also warned of hazardous mud as the reservoir continues to shrink.

“The best access to remaining fish will be near the dam,” White advised. “We urge people to fish in that area to avoid dangerous, muddy conditions.”

The issue began on July 5, when personnel at the Summit Reservoir and Irrigation Company discovered they couldn’t close the dam’s outlet valve, likely due to a blockage. Due to low water and poor visibility, divers cannot safely inspect the problem.

The company is now draining the reservoir into nearby Puett Reservoir to investigate and make repairs. Full dam replacement is estimated to cost over $1 million, a figure the company cannot afford. A repair plan, projected to cost around $96,500, has been approved.

Water deliveries to agricultural customers ended Friday after a three-day notice. Customers were advised to fill private ponds while water was still available. There will be no fall water run for livestock this year.

Located about nine miles northwest of Mancos, Summit Reservoir is part of the Summit Reservoir State Wildlife Area.

CPW has not specified how long the fish salvage will last. Public notices and signs will be posted at the reservoir when the operation ends. Once repairs are complete and the reservoir refills, the lake will be restocked with fish.

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