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30 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I RECOMMENDA TIONS 1. Maintain or increase the present frequency of years with average to above average runoff flows since years with these conditions appear to maximize production of young-of-year Colorado pikeminnow. 2. Reestablish sampling Colorado pikeminnow larvae in the drift at Loma, Westwater and Moab to further document the relative influence of moderate and high flows on pikeminnow reproductive success. Sample a period long enough to establish trends during multiple years. 3. Experiments should be conducted to explain why this study had inconsistent results for Loma and Westwater. Adjustments to the sampling design should include: A) Evaluate reliability of drift nets (560 micron) to effectively sample larvae over 11 rom. Experiment with larger drift nets or larger mesh size to determine if larvae over 11 rom are in the drift but not being sampled, have high mortality, or are transported downstream prior to reaching this size. B) Initially two nets were used to sample larvae at all stations, but three nets were used at Lorna starting in 1994. Three nets were used in all years at Westwater and Moab. .Sampling efforts should be consistent between stations for number of nets and length of time for each set. C) Collect additional water quality data during drift net sampling, e.g. alkalinity, hardness, carbon dioxide. D) Evaluate if additional samples (noon, dusk) indicate a differential timing in the pulse of the drift between Loma and Westwater. 4. Collect length frequency data or read scales on a representative sample of native fish using the Redlands fish ladder to determine if these fish would be useful in determining the relationship between year class strength and runoff flows in the Gunnison River.