7282

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7282
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, R. I. P.
• Title: Final Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
• USFW Year: 1987.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

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A less obvious impact of sportfishing on native fishes may be the result of
take by angling or seining for bait. Colorado squawfish and humpback chub
captures by anglers have been documented since 1979 by the Colorado Division
of Wildlife (Colorado) and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (Utah) and
since 1980 by the Colorado River Fisheries Project (Fisheries Project). The
Fisheries Project and Utah have reported 33 Colorado squawfish captures and
6 humpback chub captures by fishermen. Through studies, Colorado has
' captured 29 Colorado squawfish (1979-85) and 30 humpback chub (1979-82) by
angling. These reported captures may represent only a fraction of the total
captures of rare fishes by anglers each year, many are returned alive. In
addition, humpback chub and Colorado squawfish are prone to ingest live bait
used by anglers for catfish as well as artificial spoons or lures. It may be
appropriate to restrict uses of baits entirely, since hook removal from the
fish can cause mortality. The State of Colorado, in coordination with the
' Service, has revised its sportfishing regulations to offset some of these
problems.
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These data indicate that squawfish readily take a lure. This may provide an
opportunity to experiment with a sportfishery for squawfish now or after their
recovery (and delisting) to enhance the acceptance by the general public of
this species and its habitat needs, providing this activity does not detract
from the recovery program. Squawfish provided an important source of food for
early settlers and natives in this area. Hatcheries, as well as natural
reproduction (if recovered), could produce sufficient numbers of squawfish to
support a sportfishery in addition to meeting other stocking needs. The goal
of creating a sportfishery may be accomplished through various means but will
be dependent upon the biological and legal status of the species until the
species is recovered. The Service and the State of Colorado are pursuing this
option incidental to this program.
4.4.3 Selected Course of Action
a. Stocking of nonnative species will be confined to areas where absence of
potential conflict with rare or endangered species can be demonstrated.
This includes augmentation of existing populations of nonsalmonid fishes
and introductions of new populations of all nonnative fish species that
compete with or prey upon rare species. The States and the Service will
develop procedures, including studies, for reviewing and for resolving
disagreements with any proposed introductions into the upper basin
drainage.
b. The Service and the States will determine the impact from competition
and/or predation by nonnative fishes on the rare fishes (see Section 6.2).
If competition and predation from any nonnative species is determined, the
States and the Service will assess the feasibility of selectively removing
those nonnative species from areas considered to be essential to listed
species, such as grow-out ponds, spawning, or nursery sites. If necessary
and feasible, this activity will be implemented as soon as possible.
c. State sportfishing practices and regulations will be reviewed for
compliance with Federal law and impact on rare species. If the Service
and States determine that conflicts exist, such activities as permanent or
seasonal angling closures and restrictions on seining will be implemented
by the States, where appropriate.
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