Emergency Public Fish Salvage Starts Immediately at Greeley Poudre Ponds

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has announced an emergency public fish salvage effective Wednesday, August 26 in Greeley due to impending repair work resulting in the draining of Poudre Ponds and potential loss for fish.

The city will drain the pond located near the intersection of W. O Street and N. 35th Avenue northwest of Greeley in order to complete emergency repairs to its intake pump. Additionally, Poudre Ponds has been stocked with trout and warm water species including largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, black crappie, rainbow trout, common carp and gizzard shad.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has authorized the public salvage to optimize the use of the fishery resource as outlined:

• The emergency fish salvage is permitted at Poudre Ponds only and only during daylight hours (sunrise to ½ hour after sunset).
• All anglers must have a valid Colorado fishing license by state statutes.
• No commercial angling is allowed.
• Current size, bag and possession limits for all species are suspended for Poudre Ponds only until this emergency public fish salvage is terminated.
• All legal fishing methods are allowed except for the use of dip nets, seines and snagging.
• Notification of the emergency public fish salvage opening and closure will be made through press releases.
• Access is controlled by the City of Greeley and the City will notify Colorado Parks and Wildlife if the ponds become too shallow to safely allow public access to continue.
• The end date of the emergency public fish salvage will be announced by Colorado Parks and Wildlife in conjunction with the City of Greeley.

“Once we get water back in the pond we are going to work to rebuild the fishery immediately,” said District Wildlife Manager Brandon Muller. “It is a very popular place residents enjoy fishing at and we will work to get them a new and improved fishery once repair work is complete,” Brandon said.

For more information regarding Colorado Parks and Wildlife, visit: https://cpw.state.co.us