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3.21 the Ruedi dam contained an estimated 49 percent rainbow trout, 33 percent brown trout, and 18 percent brook trout. Near the confluence of Taylor Creek with the Fryingpan, approximately 7 miles downstream of the dam, brown trout comprised an estimated 76 percent of the total trout population and rainbow trout comprised only 24 percent of the total. Although brook trout still rank third in numerical importance in the Fryingpan River, their numbers have increased substantially in the section just below the dam, where they occasionally dominate the catch. Cutthroat trout usually comprise less than one percent of the catch at locations just below the dam. Estimates of trout standing crops in the Fryingpan River indicate that the river is quite productive. In 1981 standing crops ranged from 254 fish/acre at a location about 2 miles below the dam, to 583 fish/acre just below the dam, with a mean of 386 fish/acre. After stocking rainbow trout in October 1981, standing crops in 1982 increased to a mean of 547 fish/acre and a range of 357 to 974 fish/acre (Nehring and Anderson, 1982). In 1986, standing crops ranged from 381 fish/acre near the Taylor Creek confluence to 1,229 fish/acre just below the dam, with a mean of 792 fish/acre (Nehring, 1987). Recreational fishing management policies of the Colorado Department of Wildlife have apparently contributed to this increase in fish productivity. The most important spawning areas in the Fryingpan River appear to be just below Ruedi Dam, and the Seven Castles area about 8 miles downstream of the dam. Brown and brook trout, both fall spawners, use the section of the river below the dam for spawning, as substrate size, depth, and water volumes are adequate (Nehring and Anderson, 1982). The only important spawning area for rainbow trout, a spring spawner, appears to be the Seven Castles area (Nehring and Anderson, 1981). Since water temperatures are slightly higher in this section of the river and other necessary conditions are available, spawning is successful. Rainbow recruitment from the Seven Castles area is both upstream and downstream. The Roaring Fork River is also considered a high-quality trout fishery, as the section between the McFarlane Creek and Colorado River confluences is designated as "Gold Medal water" (CDOW, 1988). Five (5) fish species are known to occur in the Roaring Fork River: rainbow trout, brown trout, mountain whitefish, bluehead sucker, and mottled sculpin (Table 3.8). Based on electrofishing surveys conducted in 1981 and 1982, mountain whitefish usually dominate the catch by comprising from 60 percent to 95 percent of the total