7876

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7876
• Author: Elmblad, W. R.
• Title: The Outcome Of An Experimental Stocking Of Colorado Squawfish In Kenney Reservoir Near Rangely, Colorado - Final Report.
• USFW Year: 1997.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

One Colorado squawfish was captured while electrofishing Kenney
Reservoir in 1991. Electrofishing also yielded 33 black crappie,
21 bluegill, 17 common carp, and three channel catfish. These
catfish were fairly large and possibly older fish that had been in
the reservoir since the dam was constructed (1984). Channel
catfish are still found in the reservoir although most of the fish
are from an experimental plant of 3,000 stocked in 1992.
The single captured Colorado squawfish was marked with a yellow
pigmented spray indicating its origin to the September 12, 1990,
plant. This fish was 112 mm total length (TL) . Fish from this lot
ranged from 73-172 mm TL with a mean of 114 mm at the time of
stocking. This fish was captured along a shallow sand/cobble
shoreline. It died apparently from sampling stress. Dissection of
the carcass did not reveal spinal fractures or internal hemorrhages
which could have linked the cause of death to electrofishing.
Analysis of scales removed from this fish indicated age 2+, which
corresponds with the known age of the 1990 plant. Examination of
the stomach and intestines showed it had been feeding on
cladocerans, which appeared to be comprised of one species but were
unidentifiable because none of the specimens were whole.
Tetracycline marks were not evident on the otoliths under black
light.
The 1992 electrofishing total catch in Kenney Reservoir was 29
black crappie, 21 common carp, 3 rainbow trout, 3 black bullhead,
8 fathead minnows, and 2 flannelmouth suckers. No Colorado
squawfish were caught or observed.
White River -- 1991 and 1992 Sampling
In 1991 three Colorado squawfish were captured in one large, deep
backwater in the upper reach near RK 178, possibly the same
backwater where Trammell et al. (1993) found Colorado squawfish in
1990. The lengths of these fish were 112, 164, and 132 mm TL. The
first two of those fish reportedly had red pigmented marks visible
under black light, indicating they were from the May 24, 1990,
plant. Fish in this plant ranged in size from 51-101 mm TL with a
mean TL of 73 mm. However, Trammell (1991) reported that the
application of the red spray mark was unsuccessful because it was
not confirmed on any of 100 fish examined at stocking or on any
recaptures. Because of this it is likely the red marks were
misidentified and actually were yellow, meaning those fish
originated from the September 12, 1990, plant. (This author has
noted that black light makes both red and yellow appear as shades
of orange.) Either way, these two fish had been planted in 1990.
The third Colorado squawfish had no visible external marks. All
three Colorado squawfish were returned alive to the backwater.
Other fish species sampled during this effort were not recorded but
it was notable that large numbers of small roundtail chubs were
encountered while sorting the catch for Colorado squawfish.
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