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primarily by the Bureau of Reclamation. These reservoirs do alter habitat significantly in three areas of a stream: upstream from the high water line, the reservoir area itself, and downstream from the dam site. Also, as a part of sport fishery management programs, various species of exotic game fishes were introduced into the impoundments and the tailwaters below impoundments. Fish stocking records indicate that both Brown and Rainbow trout have been planted in the Upper Gunnison River for a number of years. In the more recent years only rainbow trout have been introduced. A plant of Brown trout, finger- lings, was made in 1970, by the Colorado Division of Wildlife near Delta. Also, in 1964 to 1965, catfish were planted in the lower sections. Earlier records such as Jordan (1891)Jordan, Everman & Clark (1928) do not record introductions of exotic species of fish in the Gunnison River, Commencing in u the 1940 period/ Stocking records of the Colorado Division of Wildlife show a large number of exotic introductions.sinee }`K; t;me. Not on record but probably as a result of the Division of Wildlife's fish stocking program, are additional introductions such as the White sucker, the Longnose sucker, Fathead minnow, etc. The long term effect of exotics in competition with endemic species is demonstrated in the findings observed when a backwater area on the Colorado River was salvaged in 1976. The area was connected to the river prior to 1970. After 6 years of isolation, the area was completely drained and all fish collect- ed. The species composition was: five largemouth bass, fifty bluegill, 75 carp, 20 bullheads, (8-12 inches). There were no endemic species of fish left after 6 years of isolation. Good evidence exists that at one time a marginal commercial fishery operated on the Gunnison River. Mr. Ralph Vernon of Delta, Colorado supplied (12)