An emergency public fish salvage was announced at Narraguinnep Reservoir by Colorado Parks and Wildlife on Wednesday because of upcoming dam construction, becoming the second such fish-for-all Montezuma County has seen this summer.
The reservoir, which lies west of Dolores and north of Colorado Highway 184, is run by Montezuma Irrigation Co., according to a news release. Construction on the left abutment of Narraguinnep Dam is set to begin Aug. 18, in turn requiring a drawdown of the reservoir.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is inviting fishers to Narraguinnep Reservoir State Wildlife Area and cast their lines out for the fish population.
All bag and possession limits for the reservoir are removed for the duration of the salvage. Anglers can keep all of the fish they catch utilizing the lawful angling methods currently allowed at the lake.
Anglers will be unable to access the reservoir from Colorado 184 and will need to make their entry through County Road 23.
The boat ramp will be closed, but hand-launched vessels are still allowed on the reservoir. Parking is expected to be limited.
Another fish-for-all was announced this past mid-July at Summit Reservoir, run by Summit Reservoir & Irrigation Co.
That time around, problems with a valve resulted in a decision to drain the lake. This time around, construction called for the drainage.
“The public salvage is being announced in order to optimize use of the fishery resource in accordance with Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission regulations,” said Jim White, senior aquatic biologist in CPW’s Southwest Region.
CPW is also urging caution, as muddy conditions around the reservoir’s shoreline are anticipated.
Fishers flocked quickly to load up their baskets.
The construction work planned at Narraguinnep includes concrete done along the rock outcropping which sits between the boat ramp and the dam. New drains will be put in on the dam’s downstream side. Construction is expected to last until early December.
Fish to be caught in Narraguinnep include northern pike, bass, crappie, walleye and perch.
Anglers will be required to carry a valid 2025 Colorado fishing license. Commercial angling is not permitted for the salvage.
