Thousands of fish die around Boyd Lake during drought conditions

Colorado Parks and Wildlife advised people to use caution if handling or harvesting fish from the affected area, warning that sick or dead fish may carry risks.

LOVELAND, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife crews worked to rescue fish at Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland after thousands of fish died or were left struggling along the shoreline following the draining of a nearby privately owned lake. 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman Kara Van Hoose said the incident began after nearby Horseshoe Lake, a privately owned body of water, was drained. 

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According to Van Hoose, fish were carried from Horseshoe Lake into Boyd Lake through a connecting inlet.

“Some of those fish then were swept over to Boyd Lake through a connecting inlet and either the fish that arrived at Boyd Lake were already dead or Boyd Lake doesn’t have enough water to sustain more fish at this point,” Van Hoose said.

Throughout the day, Colorado Parks and Wildlife crews worked to relocate fish that could still be saved.

“We are catching carp to locate them to another body of water that has carp in them,” Van Hoose said.

She said crews also found additional species in the murky water, including white bass, shad and catfish.  

The effort focused on moving fish that had a chance of survival while crews assessed the extent of the die-off.

For residents, the scene was heartbreaking.

“Very just sad … all of the fish dying,” one local said.

The widespread fish deaths also highlighted the effects of ongoing dry conditions. Areas that normally hold significantly more water appeared noticeably depleted.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said their ability to respond was limited because the fish originated from a privately owned lake. According to the agency, it could not order a fish salvage operation before the drainage occurred because decisions involving the private lake rest with its ownership.

Officials said the incident serves as a reminder that drought conditions are affecting more than recreation across Colorado. Reduced water levels and changing lake conditions can also have significant impacts on fish and other wildlife that depend on those habitats.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife advised people to use caution if handling or harvesting fish from the affected area, warning that sick or dead fish may carry risks.