7844

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7844
• Author: Elmblad, W. R.
• Title: Kenney Reservoir, Channel Catfish Monitoring Study, 1993 Interim Report.
• USFW Year: 1995.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

KENNEY RESERVOIR
CHANNEL CATFISH MONITORING STUDY
1993 INTERIM REPORT
I. Introduction
The monitoring study. is a two year project to evaluate the
potential of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) to create a
sportfishery in Kenney Reservoir near Rangely, Colorado. This
report is a summary of results from the first year of study during
1993 . The study will conclude at the end of the 1994 field season.
A final report will then be prepared that includes recommendations
for continuing or discontinuing stocking of channel catfish in the
reservoir.
II. BackcLround
Kenney Reservoir is a 600 surface acre impoundment formed on the
White River in 1984 by Taylor Draw Dam. Public fishing is an
allowable use of the reservoir. In 1986 the Colorado Division of
Wildlife (CDOW) prepared a Kenney Reservoir Lake Management Plan
(LMP) to direct the development of the sportfishery. This LMP was
amended in 1989 and 1991. A goal of the 1991 LMP is to experiment
with establishing a channel catfish fishery to replace the rainbow
trout fishery which is doing poorly. _
Channel catfish are not native to the White River (Miller et al.
1982). These fish were first stocked in the White River in 1907
(Lemons 1955). Going back the 25 years stocking records have been
put on a database, there are no records of stocking channel catfish
in the White River. Lynch (1957) reported channel catfish grow
very slowly in the .White Rifer, but Behnke (1981) predicted
improved growth in Kenney Reservoir. Kenney Reservoir lies in a
transitional zone for fish with trout habitat above dnd warm water
habitat below (Martinez 1986).
Channel catfish are one of the most important sportfish in the
United States and in recent years they are becoming more popular in
the West because they provide a fishery in waters that will not
support trout'(Sigler 1987). In September 1992, the CDOW stocked
the reservoir with approximately 3,000 channel catfish. The
purpose of this plant was to create a reservoir catfish population
that could be studied to determine if this species would be a
suitable sportfish for the area. All 3,000 fish were marked with
an adipose fin clip for later identification during the study.
To determine if catfish would be suitable sportfish for the area
this study will monitor channel catfish numbers in the reservoir,
evaluate survival and growth in the reservoir, and look for
downstream escapement. Concern has been expressed that channel
catfish would leave Kenney Reservoir and compete with or prey upon
endangered fishes downstream in the White and Green Rivers. Of
immediate concern is the endangered Colorado squawfish