Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) began an emergency public fish salvage at Sands Lake State Wildlife Area in Chaffee County on October 30, 2026. Licensed anglers may now harvest fish without normal limits before a restorative dredging project begins.

Under the emergency salvage order, normal size, bag and possession limits are suspended at Sands Lake. The salvage will last until CPW ends it when drainage begins. At that time, contractors will close access with barricades and flagging.

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Sands Lake is a pond downstream of CPW's Salida-based Mt. Shavano Hatchery. It stores water from the hatchery before the water reaches the Arkansas River. The lake is typically dredged every 10 to 15 years. It was last dredged in 2006. This project will remove excess material from the lake bottom and dispose of it.

The salvage is meant to make the most of public use of the fishery before dredging begins.

"Aquatic habitat improvements are important to the long-term management of Sands Lake, but the work could affect fish currently in the lake," said Paul Foutz, CPW senior aquatic biologist. "Opening for public salvage gives anglers an opportunity to make the best possible use of the fishery before work begins, while allowing CPW to move forward with the dredging."

Sands Lake is a popular State Wildlife Area. It connects to the community trail system just north of downtown Salida. The lake is stocked with rainbow and cutbow trout.

"Sands Lake is a highly productive water source due to its connection to the Mt. Shavano Fish Hatchery," said Bryan Johnson, CPW Mt. Shavano Fish Hatchery Manager. "Larger-than-average trout can be caught here. Trout can be caught on the typical flies, lures, and bait, but expect the larger fish to be more wary. 'Matching the hatch' will help anglers fool some of these larger specimens."

The emergency salvage rules apply only to Sands Lake at Sands Lake State Wildlife Area. A valid Colorado fishing license is required.

Only currently legal angling methods are allowed. Unlike some past emergency salvages, this order does not allow added methods. These include nets, traps, snagging, gigs, archery equipment, unlimited fishing rods, trot lines and jugs.

Catching live fish and moving them from one body of water to another remains illegal. The salvage does not apply to any other waters. That includes the Arkansas River, which runs along the wildlife area.

The salvage is authorized under Parks and Wildlife Commission Regulation 104.G. All other fishing regulations and state wildlife area rules remain in effect.

CPW will post signs at Sands Lake marking the salvage area. Signs will also announce when the emergency order is lifted. The salvage will stay in effect until CPW decides conditions have changed or the salvage is complete.

For more about Colorado fishing regulations and licenses, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishing webpage.

Anglers are reminded that the pond has several feet of sediment in it. Anglers wearing waders could easily become stuck in this material.