CPW opens emergency fish salvage at Sands Lake in Salida before dredging

Colorado Parks and Wildlife opened an emergency public fish salvage on Friday, Oct. 30, at Sands Lake State Wildlife Area in Salida, Chaffee County, 9News reported. The pond sits below CPW's Mt. Shavano Fish Hatchery and holds hatchery water before it reaches the Arkansas River. It is usually dredged every 10 to 15 years, and the last dredging was in 2006.

During the salvage, normal size, bag and possession limits are suspended at Sands Lake only. Anglers still need a valid Colorado fishing license and may use only methods that are already legal. Nets, traps, snagging, gigs, archery, trotlines, jugs and unlimited rods are not allowed. Moving live fish to other waters is still illegal, and the order does not cover the Arkansas River next to the wildlife area. It was issued under Parks and Wildlife Commission Regulation 104.G.

The lake is stocked with rainbow and cutbow trout. Hatchery manager Bryan Johnson said larger-than-average trout live there but tend to be wary, so matching the hatch helps. Senior aquatic biologist Paul Foutz said the salvage lets anglers use the fish before the habitat work starts. CPW warns that waders can get stuck in several feet of soft sediment. The salvage ends when drainage begins, and contractors will barricade access at that point.

Photo: Sands Lake State Wildlife Area near Salida. Image via 9News (KUSA).

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: 9News: Colorado Parks and Wildlife opens public fish salvage at Sands Lake State Wildlife Area (Oct. 30, 2026).