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<br />ensure the long-term perpetuation of native fish communities and their habitat. A
<br />challenging component of endangered fish recovery in the Upper Colorado River Basin is
<br />nonnative fish control, particularly the removal of popular nonsalmonid sport fishes from
<br />rivers. This contentious activity, necessary to reduce competition with, and predation on,
<br />endangered and native fish, remains unpopular with many anglers and may be a basis to
<br />deny access to private land for any native fish management. Further, identifying a
<br />"socially" acceptable balance that retains satisfying sport fishing for some nonsalmonid
<br />piscivores, while biologically optimizing riverine native fish communities, is increasingly
<br />unrealistic. Given this and other conflicts, it is recommended that waters dedicated to
<br />nonsalmonid native fish conservation be established to expedite the recovery of
<br />endangered fish and to safeguard the native fish community on which they depend to
<br />prevent future listings of additional species. The Yampa River, a key tributary for
<br />endangered fish recovery and a former stronghold of native fishes, is offered as the initial
<br />candidate to have its lower reaches designated as a "Nonsalmonid Native Fish
<br />Conservation Water." Administrative guidance, an agency framework and analogous
<br />designations are discussed to facilitate and formalize this designation. Components of
<br />the designation would include publicizing the priority of native fish management,
<br />informing anglers of possibly reduced angling success, and increasing protection of
<br />native fish, including stiffer penalties for their harm. Furthermore, funding easements to
<br />guarantee access to private property for native and nonnative fish research and
<br />management, and establishing partnerships and providing incentives to protect riparian
<br />and riverine habitats are seen as ways to help popularize native fish preservation among
<br />private landowners and conservationists. The success of such designation in perpetuating
<br />ecologically sound native fish communities relies on the aggressive enforcement and
<br />implementation of regulations, policies or strategies to protect riverine habitat and control
<br />nonnative fish.
<br />
<br />7. Influence of human-made instream structures on the management and
<br />conservation of three native Colorado River Basin fishes in the Muddy Creek
<br />watershed, Wyoming.
<br />
<br />Authors: ROBERT I COMPTON (Presenter), Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife
<br />Research Unit, Biological Sciences Building, Dept. 3166, 1000 E. University Avenue,
<br />Laramie, WY, 82071, 307-766-7322 (W), 037-766-5400 (F), bcompton@uwyo.edu; DR.
<br />WAYNE HUBERT, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Biological
<br />Sciences Building, Dept. 3166, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie, WY, 82071,307-
<br />766-5415, whubert@uwyo.edu; DR. FRANK RAHEL, University of Wyoming,
<br />Biological Sciences Building, Room 407, Dept. 3166, 1000 E. University Avenue,
<br />Laramie, WY, 82071,307-766-4212, frahel@uwyo.edu; DR. MIKE QillST, Iowa State
<br />University, NREM, 339 Science II, Ames, lA, 50011, 515-294-9682,
<br />mcquist@iastate.edu; MIKE BOWER, USDI Bureau of Land Management, Rawlins
<br />Field Office, P.O. Box 2407, Rawlins, WY, 82301, 307-328-4272,
<br />Micheal_ Bower@blm.gov
<br />
<br />Abstract: Bluehead sucker Catostomus discobolus, flannelmouth sucker Catostomus
<br />latipinnis, and roundtail chub Gila robusta dominate the upper portion of Muddy Creek,
<br />
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