Laserfiche WebLink
<br />31 <br /> <br />Aspinall Unit reservoirs on the Gunnison River, and below McPhee Reservoir on the <br />Dolores River. <br /> <br />Question 8: Do you consider angling mortality related to incidental catch of endangered fishes <br />by anglers pursuing gamefish species a significant source of mortality? If so, what <br />is your estimate of the incidence of "harvest" mortality, and what gamefish species <br />is the target of the fishery? <br /> <br />Thirty two percent of the 25 respondents answered yes to the question, particularly <br />in regard to angling mortality for Colorado squawfish. Opinions differed strongly between <br />respondents from federal and state agencies. Three more respondents indicated angling <br />mortality may potentially be affecting the endangered fishes. Two estimates of 10% angling <br />mortality were proposed. Angling mortality to Colorado squawfish and humpback chub was <br />associated with incidental captures by persons seeking northern pike, smallmouth bass, or <br />channel catfish; angling mortality to bonytail was associated with incidental capture by <br />persons seeking rainbow trout The significance of angling mortality was not necessarily <br />associated with numbers caught, but three respondents based their judgement upon the likely <br />size of Colorado squawfish that are affected, the fish's older age, vulnerability to angling <br />prior to sexual maturity, and replacement time needed to recruit another younger fish. The <br />long-lived nature of adult Colorado squawfish also extends the period these fish are <br />vulnerable to angling. It was hypothesized that angling mortality may be responsible for the <br />absence of larger adult fish in river reaches receiving greater fishing pressure, such as the <br />Grand Valley reach of the Colorado River in Colorado. <br /> <br />Respondents offered several reasons why angling was not a significant source of <br />mortality to endangered fish. One was the relative abundance of the endangered fishes and <br />low fishing pressure were attributes of the system, and did not lead to conclusions of <br />significant loss. Other reasons provided included 1) creel survey data collected by Utah <br />DWR, 2) the effectiveness of the catch and release recommendation for native fishes <br />provided to the public by Utah OWR through creel survey contacts, signing, and its fishing <br />proclamation, 3) the persistence of endangered species in areas of increasing angler activity, <br />and 4) reported evidence from anglers of caught/released adult Colorado squawfish with <br />prior, multiple hook wounds. All were suggested as supporting evidence that many anglers <br />are aware of the endangered status of these species and are releasing endangered fish that <br />they capture. <br /> <br />In New Mexico, harvest of bait minnows for sportfishing was also listed as a problem. <br />