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EVALUATION OF FORAGE AND GAME FISH SPECIES FOR <br />POSSIBLE INTRODUCTION INTO FLAMING GORGE RESERVOIR <br />Job F-VII <br />Background <br />Ever since impoundment, an effort has been made. to identify <br />additional species which could contribute to the fishery in Flaming <br />Gorge Reservoir. In addition to rainbow trout the following species <br />were introduced into the reservoir: kokanee in 1963 and 1964, small- <br />mouth bass in 1967, brown trout from 1966 to the present, cutthroat <br />trout from 1967 to 1972, and Kamloops, strain rainbow trout from 1969 <br />to 1971. <br />More recently, two introductions were made in attempts to solve <br />specific problems in the reservoir, Largemouth bass were stocked from <br />1972 to 1976 as a warmwater predator which would prey on the overabun- <br />dant Utah chubs and also provide a summer--time sport fishery when trout <br />fishing is slow. Threadfin shad were stocked from 1972 to 1976 as a <br />forage fish which would compete with Utah chub and also provide forage <br />for trout and bass. To date there is no evidence that these introduc- <br />tions were successful. <br />Because of the complexity of selecting species for introduction <br />into new waters to solve problems without causing harm to the aquatic <br />system, a study was initiated in 1976 to carefully evaluate species <br />which might be suitable for introduction in Flaming Gorge, The study <br />was divided into two areas, forage fish and predators, <br />Acceptable forage fish.should remain small throughout their life <br />span so that they will not outgrow their usefulness as forage and <br />they should be planktivorous to compete with Utah chub and white sucker.