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<br />178
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<br />CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
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<br />something like a carp "Witbout the whiskerS.",: WhUe it is possible thit ,.-:
<br />some- oft,hereporls allude to earp" 01',10 tbel:lU,;npbacksncker, it is aI., ...::
<br />possible that some species of true buffalofish may be present, 0 ':Mallej'<
<br />(1919) lists buffalofish (Ictiobus sp.) as planted in Roosevelt Lake, Ari-
<br />zona, in 1918. This reservoir is on the Salt River and some of the fish may
<br />have descended to the Colorado. .-
<br />"Drum, " "redhorse," "yellow perch," "gars" and "pi.ke" ll't"'-.
<br />also reported by fishermen, The identity of such fish is unknown, althoug1
<br />it is suspected that they may be confused with some of the fishes ahead,.
<br />described here. Other exotic species are known from the upper G~
<br />ubasin,.lmtare,not me:ntiQ!l~.Q here since this is not a part of the area dis-
<br />cussed in this reporf.Shad (Alosasdpidissima) and yellow perch (PUC4-
<br />:tfavescens) were planted io the lower Colorado years ago, and sfriped .
<br />bass (Roccus saxatilis) have been planted in the Salton Sea. We have no
<br />authentic reports of their survival.
<br />
<br />OTHER ANIMALS IN THE FISHERY
<br />
<br />Several other animals besides fishes may be mentioned be~ause of
<br />their actual 01' potential place in a sport fishery here.
<br />
<br />Crayfish
<br />
<br />Crayfish (Cambarus) have been introduced but their abundanet
<br />and distribution is not well known. According to several residents of
<br />Yuma, some were brought in from Los Angeles and planted in a drain
<br />ditch near Winterhaven, Imperial County, "about ten years ago," A
<br />few from this stock are also reported to have been transplanted to Picacho
<br />in 1941. They were said to be common neal" Winterhaven in 1912 and
<br />to extend up the river at leaSt as far as Laguna Dam. Several "ere
<br />seen in Haughtelin Lake where they were also taken from bass stomach&.
<br />It would not be surprising to find them at many other points a 11>llg the
<br />lower river; man is an inveterate acclimatizer.
<br />Crayfish will eat a variety of live foods and are also sca\"en~e~
<br />The author does not recall anv studies which would indicate that they
<br />would be serious competitors or prffi.ators of the Colorado Riwr fish~:
<br />Studies by Norton (1942), for example, showed that the cra~:fish ~l
<br />Reelfoot Lake and Bavou du Chien in Tennessee subsisted roalll1y 0[;
<br />l,.egetation (unicellula~ and multicellular algae and spermatophytes\,
<br />Apparently they can make good use of the primary foods which are nol
<br />much used by large fishes. On the other hand, they are a wel1-kllO~
<br />source of food for fishes, especially for the black basses. B~ker \ 194-.
<br />has found them to be the chief food of bullfrogs in East Texas, On the
<br />debit side, it may be said that some species Will burrow and weak~.ll
<br />levees and cause damage, to crops.. Possibly this might make thell1
<br />obnoxious in the irrigated areas,33 .
<br />Since crayfish are enjoyed as food by man and used as b~l~. all
<br />abundant supply would provide a minor fishery on the river. );elth~r
<br />Arizona nor California has any game laws relating to their capturt',
<br />None are recommended until it is evident that they deserve or \l~
<br />protection,
<br />
<br />.. There 'Is some evi.dence that crayfish may be destructive to tront, "oJ,~
<br />Importatlon,of Jive crayfishes Into California Is specifically prohibited by la\\", '.L
<br />forma Fish and Game Code. 19 ~3-1945, AppendiX, p. 233.)
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<br />,- '~~~Ir:o.~-_T~_~~~~_W~~'-~'~' _.-
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<br />-;;.~-"'~"""'" ~'<::;'- - ~
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<br />. ,,- --.
<br />_::..=-.:.:....=..:..='-.:.':~.<....:--::....,
<br />, --
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<br />y~;fonn is the Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)" nati've'-
<br />;",'~ t1ieRocky :Mountains, but long an acclimatized
<br />....'.SPorlslnen report that it was planted a few
<br />'~'Where it is now common. Some are found at
<br />'c'ui',OD. both sides of the river near Yuma. There
<br />"tievetiilintroductiQns of this wecies.Mr. Deane
<br />1D-tethaven, in a letter of April 14, 1944, informs me
<br />"-"abou.t :five miles above Picacho in about 1923, and that
<br />'''''o'nilear Winterhaven a few years later. :Mr. Charles
<br />_in a letter of February 8, 1944, reports that some
<br />Co "'8,- were planted in drainage ditches of the Yuma
<br />~t':_'l'heirinereasein-abundance is ofI1l~ch interest
<br />""';.~ but it is believed that theY arElhunted :extensIve y~~.
<br />"~:-!egion., It can be expected t?at a~ of the marshy
<br />~-Although they are sometunes Cited as predators
<br />"'7"~t.er fowl, the author can see no reason for not
<br />. '-~<()n the river. They are of value for food and
<br />.:tolJiological institutions, although this market is
<br />.~~';'.c.o~'-,----'-:-,
<br />~zona and California laws coincide as to the gen-
<br />,,):jircaptnre.34 It is believed by some members ()f
<br />"Iis,that : the present season is too long; the bag limit
<br />"",.JE~~ould be prohib~ted as m?re frogs are lost than
<br />W-et1iQdof capture. With but little knowledge of the
<br />"C'adthor can make but two recommendations. (1) It
<br />'theregUJ.ations of the two States be uniform for the
<br />area. - (2) Stricter rules should be formulated if there
<br />iif:'Q.ep~ljon through over-hunting. Frogs can be taken
<br />, ,~lierthan by shooting, especiallY with the aid of spot-
<br />bj-:spearing or gigging, scapping (the use'oranet on'a:':::-:-:-
<br />~glmgn-with line and baited hook, by special "frog
<br />o.oting at water is notoriously dangerous and might
<br />, grounds alone.
<br />. ';oruy enemy of Bullfrogs on the Colorado, Fish,
<br />.~y:a1so prey 00 them.
<br />
<br />'"'e.s'::of turtles were observed in 1942: the Sonoran :Mu,d
<br />'t'Gnon sonoriense), and Emory's Soft-shelled Turtle
<br />"~'i~--.--:--.' -~
<br />
<br />'natiVe of the river, excites little attention from man
<br />. ' . bait from the hooks of a fisherman. No use seems
<br />'~"\~.:.:;:~~~.: -
<br />.".'0'"
<br />^"'""~:ofsoft-shelled turtles in the Colorado were heard
<br />, - . 'sliney, and one was collected at Headgate Rock Dam
<br />nsequently, it came as somewhat of a surprise to the '
<br />~t the species found there had not been reported in
<br />"lL~ntil recent years. According to Stejneger and
<br />
<br />f8t~November 30th; bag limit. 24. dally or 48 weekly; minimum
<br />dy length) ; use of firearms allowed except between sunset and
<br />Ish and Game Code. 1943-19~5. Sees. 1350-1354,)
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