WILDLIFE RESOURCES
Kiowa County is
situated in the eastern Great Plains of Colorado. There are 7 irrigation
reservoirs within Kiowa County. When full, the lakes have a combined surface
area of 23 square miles (14,645 acres) and 58 miles of shoreline. Six of the
seven reservoirs are in a cluster called the Great Plains Reservoirs situated 12
miles south of Eads. Adobe Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake) is situated 15 miles
south of Haswell in the western part of the county. These reservoirs offer warm
water fishing, water sports and waterfowl hunting. Bird watchers enjoy the wide
variety of waterfowl, shore birds, prairie songbirds and raptors.
WATCHABLE WILDLIFE
The least tern,
piping plover, mountain plover, snowy plover, lesser prairie chickens and
burrowing owls are threatened or endangered species which are found in various
habitats in the county. Bald and golden eagles and the largest wintering
population of lesser snow geese in Colorado are found on the reservoirs.
Canadian geese and other waterfowl also winter in the area. Lesser sandhill
cranes are fall and spring visitors.
HUNTING
 Although most hunting
in Kiowa County is on private land where permission is required, hunters have
public access to a management area administered by the Colorado Division of
Wildlife around the Great Plains Reservoirs. Hunting for snow and Canadian
geese in the management area is available on a first come first serve basis.
Each year the Division of Wildlife digs hunting pits in the field for decoy
hunting and around the lakes for firing lines.
Healthy populations of mule deer, white tailed
deer and antelope are found throughout the county. Upland game includes
pheasant, scaled quail, morning dove, cottontail and jack rabbits. Furbearers
include coyote, badger, skunk, red fox and swift fox.
FISHING
Area reservoirs are
excellent warm water fisheries. Wiper, saugeye, walleye, crappie, channel
catfish, largemouth bass, bullhead, drum and carp are abundant. Fish of 5
pounds and up are common. Public access exists on Adobe Creek (Blue Lake),
Neegronda, Neenoshe, Neeskah (upper Queens and lower Queens) Reservoirs.
Neesopah (Sweetwater
and Jet Lake) are surrounded by privately held land. Boating is permitted on
all lakes with public access except during the waterfowl hunting seasons. There
are no marinas for boating supplies or fuel.
CAMPING
Unimproved camping is
available without fee on all lakes with public access. There is one private
campground (Cottonwood Park) on the north side of Neegronda Reservoir.
Cottonwood Park has water, shower and bathroom facilities and limited electrical
hookups. Public toilets are available at Adobe, Neenoshe, Negronda, and Neeskah.
Full service camping is also available at the Eads Econo Lodge (10
miles north of the lakes).
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