Two of southeastern Colorado's longtime warmwater fishing destinations are now permanently closed to public access. Adobe Creek Reservoir, known locally as Blue Lake, and Thurston Reservoir closed to the public Monday, the final day of a Colorado Parks and Wildlife fish salvage that began last Friday.

The closures followed a decision by the Fort Lyon Canal Company not to renew the recreational lease agreement that had allowed public fishing at the two reservoirs. CPW conducted the public fish salvage from last Friday through Monday, and public access to both fisheries ended on the last day of that salvage.

For decades, the two reservoirs drew anglers from Colorado and Kansas in pursuit of catfish, crappie, saugeye, walleye and other sportfish at two of southeastern Colorado's few large warmwater fisheries.

“Together, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Fort Lyon Canal Company have provided recreational fishing at these two reservoirs since 1970 that generations of anglers have enjoyed,” said Todd Marriott, CPW Area Wildlife Manager. “While we are disappointed we could not reach an agreement to continue that opportunity, our focus now is on conserving the fishery resource and ensuring Colorado anglers receive the greatest possible benefit from it.”

During the salvage, CPW fisheries staff worked to relocate sportfish to other southeast reservoirs when practical, an effort intended to preserve as much of the fishery resource as possible for Colorado anglers. CPW also said it was evaluating the removal of infrastructure on the properties, including a boat ramp and other facilities. Under the terms of the lease, certain infrastructure had to be removed at the conclusion of the agreement.

“Colorado's hunters, anglers and taxpayers have invested in these fisheries and access improvements,” Marriott said. “We are committed to protecting as much of that public investment as possible, whether that's relocating fish to other public waters or responsibly removing infrastructure as required under the lease.”

The public fish salvage was authorized under Parks and Wildlife Commission Regulation 104.G. The salvage order, signed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Laura Clellan, allowed expanded methods of take to maximize public use of the fishery resource before access ended.

The salvage applied only to Adobe Creek and Thurston reservoirs.