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

However, some of the stocked Colorado squawfish may still be
surviving in the White River below the reservoir. Irving and Modde
(1994) captured a Colorado squawfish with a left pelvic fin clip at
RKM 167.8 in 1993. They felt this fish was possibly a Colorado
squawfish stocked at Kenney Reservoir. By comparing the size of
this fish with back-calculated length/age estimates for wild White
River Colorado squawfish by Hawkins (1991) they linked this fish to
the April 28, 1988, plant.
The CDOW has conducted ISMP sampling in the White River downstream
of Kenney Reservoir annually from 1986 through 1996 to monitor the
Colorado squawfish population. In 1993 and 1994 CDOW also
conducted fish surveys in this area to monitor for escapement of
3,000 marked channel catfish stocked in Kenney Reservoir in 1992.
Since 1992, all smaller Colorado squawfish captured during these
sampling efforts have been routinely examined for external marks
that would link their origin to those fish stocked in the
reservoir. Those external marks would be either red or yellow
pigments visible under blacklight or fin clips. About 25 Colorado
squawfish have been examined.
In 1995, one Colorado squawfish was captured during ISMP with a
deformed left pelvic fin (Figure B-1) This fish did not have
visible scars in the vicinity of the pelvic fin that would suggest
the deformity was the result of a naturally caused injury.
Colorado squawfish from the April 28, 1988, and August 6, 1990,
plants were marked with left pelvic fin clips. The fish was 508 mm
TL, weighed 1,090 grams, and was captured and released at RKM
165.8. Prior to being released it was PIT tagged 1F43563AOE.
Using back-calculated lengths for wild White River Colorado
squawfish from Hawkins (1991) this fish could have originated from
the April 28, 1988, plant.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Observations can continue to be made for these fish during
ISMP, an ongoing, annual survey. Observers need to begin
looking for the external marks on larger fish.
2. In the future if stocked fish can be captured and reliably
identified each year, several could be implanted with radio
transmitters and their movements monitored to see if they
participate in spawning migrations and spawning activities.
This information would be useful in evaluating the importance
of natal imprinting in Colorado squawfish reproduction, and
for determining if stocking Colorado squawfish can aid
recovery.
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