9483

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9483
• Author: Mitchell, M. J.
• Title: Impact of the Procedures for Stocking Nonnative Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin on Private Landowners and the Commercial Aquaculture Industry.
• USFW Year: no dat
• USFW - Doc Type: Longmont.
• Copyright Material: NO

Pond owners indicated that fish were present in 32% of all ponds representing 113.7 acres of the
271 acres where information was provided along the Colorado River. This would equate to 42%
of the surface water for which i\formation was provided.

Based on the number of ponds it\.
the study , warm water fish were
reported to be present in all ponds
for which information was provided.
Only 10% of the ponds along the
Gunnison River indicated fish were
present and respondents stated
coldwater fish were present.
Respondents did not provide much
information for fish present along
the Gunnison River. It is worthy of
note that no information was
provided for ponds in either
corridor managed by the Colorado
Division of Wildlife. Since this
agency is responsible for fish
management on all state and federal
laild management agency land and
public ownership is 56% of the ponds along the Gunnison and 27% along the Colorado, it is likely
that the percentage of ponds with fish in them is much higher than our survey indicates.

Fig II: Fish Species

Distribution in ponds

20

15

c
~ 10
....
CD
Co

5

11

~ rn~~I.
I I I I
Ib bc cp gc fm bg sk te It bt rt cf cc
Species of Fish

o

[ffiJ Both Rivers
II

II
.

The species of fish present in most ponds reporting were either all warmwater fish or were
stocked and maintained in concert with catchable coldwater fish. Figure II illustrates the
percentage of ponds that indicated each species or generic group offish were present.
Largemouth bass and bluegill were the most widely distributed fish. These species were reported
as being present in 18.6% and 16.5% of the ponds respectively. Black crappie were reported to be
present in 12% of ponds identified. Grouping channel catfish were reported to be in 6% of the
ponds while catfish (bullheads included) were reported to be in 13% of the ponds. All other
species or groups for which information was provided ranged from 1 %-1 0%. Fish were stocked
in 4% of the ponds reporting within the last 5 years. This stocking activity took place on 20% of
the surface area of the ponds reporting in the study.

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