Fish Explorer Logo
Colorado
Colorado Fishing FishExplorer.com
 Colorado Fishing  
Login Usr:Psd:
No account? Register now...
 
spacer spacer
spacer
Go back to Main FxR Forum listings
Lake: Smith Reservoir (Costilla Cty)

Smith Reservoir is Dead

Post By: johnski      Posted: 8/27/2020 8:05:04 PM     Points: 5105    
Well, I finally got over to this reservoir to check its conditions and I was saddened to see the sight. The water level is down to maybe 30%, and hundreds of fish of all sizes are dying and washing up on shore. The vultures are cleaning it up. Dead fish were rainbows and suckers. Some rainbows were 20 Plus inches. So I always thought a conservation pool would help protect this fishery but it appears this level of water is not adequate. Folks we seriously need to pray for rain.
 Reply by: Goosehunter82      Posted: 8/27/2020 9:36:12 PM     Points: 71993
That's too bad. I think we're going to have some slow fishing here in the next few years.
 Reply by: SirGreg88      Posted: 8/27/2020 10:09:34 PM     Points: 229
Amen on the praying!
 Reply by: johnski      Posted: 8/28/2020 6:40:20 AM     Points: 5105
This lake was also a nice choice for ice fishing. Me and many others, especially seniors, loved the lake since you can drive to the lake shore and without too much exertion, be fishing in short order. I am not sure if any fish will survive the current water level. It does not look good.
 Reply by: FishHuntNow      Posted: 8/30/2020 10:10:11 PM     Points: 1709
Devastating to see something like this happen to a fishery. Never fished Smith, but always heard about the good trout in there. Hopefully some are still swimming and it recovers.
 Reply by: johnski      Posted: 10/6/2020 5:44:59 PM     Points: 5105
It got drained to mudflats. No surviving fish. They will have to start all over with catchable rainbows when they can get water in it again....we NEED serious precipitation.
Operation Game Thief
Call to report illegal fishing/hunting:
1-877-265-6648
(1-877-COLO-OGT)
or:
Email CPW
 
×

Info