Laserfiche WebLink
<br />13 <br /> <br />drain~ge and may be stocked on a routine basis under certain <br />conditions now. Though these waters are believed to be outside of <br />the 40-year flood plain, this status should be verified. <br /> <br />As with all of the plans, no indication is presented that <br />indicates whether current management is providing satisfactory <br />fishing opportunities. In addition, these plans do not indicate <br />whether other measures are as viable as stocking since the proposed <br />species generally seem to reproduce sufficiently to maintain <br />populations in suitable habitat. The document should note whether <br />insufficient reproduction has been documented or if overharvest <br />adversely affects these fisheries. <br /> <br />Fishing pressure data (present and "anticipated) is lacking and <br />should be included - especially considering that the one surface <br />acre-sized Island Acres Pond now receives 2,110 angler days/year now. <br />What is the upper limit of fishing pressure that this (and the other <br />ponds) can support and/or what is the management objective for <br />fishing pressure for these waters? This information is important to <br />help determine stocking objectives and need. <br /> <br />The proximity of these waters to the Colorado River almost <br />guarantees that escapement will eventually occur either by flooding <br />or unauthorized human transplants. While we agree with comments on <br />page 8 that illegal transplants from these waters should not be a <br />basis for denying this proposal, the reality is that these <br />introductions will occur - probably with greater likelihood than at <br />present. This type of escapement should be expected and the <br />likelihood of these introductions should be directly addressed in all <br />appropriate sections of these plans. <br /> <br />Conditional approval of these plans is warranted pending more <br />specific review of the issues listed above. If the information <br />described in these plans is still accurate following this review, the <br />stocking guidelines should be revised to permit stocking of <br />largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish on a routine <br />basis as a part of Table 1. Considerably more information about <br />walleyes and tiger muskies is needed before these species should be <br />considered for stocking in the Co~orado River drainage. <br /> <br />If you have any questions o~.comments about these observations or <br />wish to discuss this subject in" greater detail, please feel free to <br />give me a call. <br /> <br />slcerelY, <br /> <br /> <br />cJ:=Fl~ <br /> <br />Chief of Fisheries <br />