Colorado Parks and Wildlife declared an emergency public fish salvage for a reservoir in drought-ridden Huerfano County to increase depleted water supplies in Walsenburg and La Veta, the agency announced on Friday.

In a news release, CPW officials stated those conditions made them realize the Daigre Reservoir’s “entire fishery” could be lost, prompting the emergency salvage. The reservoir is home to tiger muskie, bass, trout and bluegill.

“The fish belong to the public, and we want to provide anglers the opportunity to harvest as many fish as possible before declining water levels potentially cause us to lose the fishery,” CPW Aquatic Biologist Carrie Tucker stated in the release.

CPW staff will also relocate fish to other public waters where operations are practical.

The salvage comes after CPW drained the next available municipal water source, which is also in the Wahatoya State Wildlife Area, according to the release.

The measure has temporarily suspended size, bag and possession limits at the Daigre Reservoir for Colorado fishing license holders.

Restrictions on artificial flies, lures and bait, excluding live baitfish, have also been temporarily lifted, according to the release. No live fish can be used for bait at waters east of the Continental Divide above 7,000 feet in elevation.

CPW will make an announcement when the salvage has concluded or conditions have improved.