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<br />Executive Summary <br /> <br />The humpback chub (Gila cypha) is endemic to the Colorado River basin, and it occurs <br /> <br />only in isolated populations in narrow canyon bound reaches of the mainstem Colorado River <br /> <br />and its major tributaries. The Yampa Canyon population is one of five aggregations in the upper <br /> <br />Colorado River basin, each consisting of only a few hundred to a few thousand fish. Little is <br /> <br />known about humpback chub in Yampa Canyon because of inaccessibility of the canyon, <br /> <br />confusing Gila taxonomy, and its low numbers. Almost nothing is known about this <br /> <br />population's size, survival, r~cruitment rates, and population trend. The objectives of this study <br /> <br />were to: 1) develop procedures for monitoring humpback chub population trends to serve as a <br /> <br />response measure for management activities, e.g., non-native fish reduction; 2) if feasible, <br /> <br />estimate population size; and 3) develop procedures for determining reproductive success. <br /> <br />In 1998 we began a three year study that consisted of multiple sampling passes each year <br /> <br />in the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument from Deerlodge to Echo Park (75 kIn) to <br /> <br />assess the humpback chub population. Sampling consisted primarily of electro fishing and <br /> <br />angling. Captured humpback chub were scanned for presence of a PIT tag; if a pit tag was <br /> <br />implanted in the fish it was recorded, if none was found, one was inserted and the fish released. <br /> <br />Each pass through Yampa Canyon took 4-5 days Subsequent passes were made 7-10 days later. <br /> <br />Electrofishing and angling captured 86 humpback chub in Yampa Canyon. The catch <br /> <br />distribution extended from Laddie Park (river km 17) upstream to Disappointment Draw (river <br /> <br />kIn 72). This range was similar to that of historic data. The distribution was very uneven; most <br /> <br />fish preferred deep pools and eddies associated with large boulders. Most adult sampling was <br /> <br />VI <br />