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I I I I I' I I ,I I I I I I I I I I I I Our last fish collection was taken August 19th. It was quite warm and we were concerned about leaving nets set for any length of time that might stress or kill fish. A trammel net was set for 2- 15 minute periods which captured seven suckers. They were in good condition, no external parasites were found and they averaged 383 mm and 645 grams. The August sample was small (7), however, if it is indicative of the entire population, it suggests little growth occurred since May. From our captures in May 1997, we estimate the ponds probably still contain over 150 fish. DISCUSSION the razorback suckers prospered and grew rapidly in the golf course ponds. They survived one winter and two summer seasons. Fish grew on average from 115 to 383 mm in a 15 month period. A health inspection proved the fish to be healthy, absent of tapeworm or external parasites, and fish had good visceral fat deposits. Occasionally, a dead fish was observed but survival appears to be high. In May, we captured more than 130 ofthe initial 296 fish with very little effort. Not enough information is available for us to calculate the carrying capacity of the ponds. However, we can speculate that it's probably somewhere between 300 and 500 kilograms offish (a 30-cm fish = 1 kg). Production levels could be increased by supplemental feeding. Either way, fish could be reared economically. Better methods of recapturing fish that might reduce fish stres.s and effort should be examined. Trap or fyke nets are being successfully used on Lake Mohave and Boulder City golf course ponds. Und,er the environmental conditions which occurred these past few months razorback suckers grew rapidly. Survival was the ultimate test and the experimental phase is now ended. We recommend that NPS, FWS and the City of Page consider developing a fish rearing program which includes a strong public information/involvement element. The primary question we confront you with, is: "How can the razorback benefit from this test?" They're a lot of possible options, some of which have already been implemented. There is a critical need for rearing space to raise these. and other endangered fish to a size that insures their survival. We would suggest that some type of management plan be developed that addresses this, and possibly other questions. The plan should be comprehensive, but flexible in identifying and prioritizing specific goals, production numbers, different stocking locations, several possible sources of young fish, and projected schedules. We believe the existing MOA and Lake Powell Fish Management Plan provides the vehicles for NPS and Utah Department of Natural Resources 4