9688

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9688
• Author: Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program.
• Title: Nonnative Fish Control Workshop Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations.
• USFW Year: 2002.
• USFW - Doc Type: Lakewood, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

5. Northern Pike Control Programs (for Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker,
bonytail)
a. Downlisting:-Programs in occupied reaches of the Yampa and middle
Green rivers developed and implemented to identify necessary. levels of
control.
b. Delisting.-Identified levels of control attained.
3.0 DESCRIPTION OF NONNATIVE FISH CONTROL PROJECTS
3.1 Public Information and Education
Public information and education (I&E) is an essential element of the UCRRP. This is especially
important considering the great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding that has
historically surrounded the Colorado River endangered fishes. The I&E program has been very
effective at informing the public about the need and strategies for conserving the Colorado
pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bonytail. Control of nonnative fishes brings
new challenges for the I&E program, because some of the species in need of control are
considered valuable sport fish by the angling public. The vast majority of valued sport fisheries
do not conflict with the conservation of the Colorado River endangered fishes. Nevertheless, the
public sometimes views control efforts in specific areas of the upper basin as a potential threat to
sport fishes elsewhere. One challenge of the I&E program is to place nonnative fish control into
perspective with respect to sport fisheries throughout the upper basin.
The nonnative fish control element of the UCRRP is currently in its developmental phases and as
such, is a relatively new program that needs to be described- and explained to the public. It is
especially important to relate to the public that most nonnative fish control programs are not in
conflict with sport fishing programs, and many are coordinated to enhance sport fishing. For
example, control of northern, pike in the Yampa River is being accomplished through
translocation of live fish from the river to nearby ponds where anglers can catch these fish. It is
also important to inform the public of the general harm that too many nonnative fishes can have
on an ecosystem, including valued sport fisheries.
3.2 State and Federal Stocking and Harvest Regulations
In 1996, the UCRRP was instrumental in development of the Procedures for Stocking Nonnative
Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin (Stocking Procedures; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service 1996). This document affected not only fish stocking policies, but harvest regulations of
the upper basin States (see section 2.4). The following are overviews of effects of the Stocking
Procedures on the States of Colorado and Utah, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's
Wildlife Management Assistance Program, and the National-Park Service.
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