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20 <br />the inhabitants fished steadily. The fish remained there for a <br />time before disappearing completely. It is possible that this <br />fish was eaten (Doug Osmundson, personal communication). <br />Recruitment <br />Fish populations decline when the combined mortality rates <br />from all sources known and unknown including competition, habitat <br />alteration, predation and angling are greater than the <br />recruitment rate. There are no estimates available for <br />recruitment, but since squawfish populations are generally <br />considered to be declining or at best stable, recruitment is <br />likely lower than combined mortality. <br />Conclusions <br />During this survey, few reports of anglers catching Colorado <br />squawfish were documented, and fishing pressure was shown to be <br />low relative to a high-use trout fishery. The total documented <br />catch of squawfish was 0.7% of the estimated population in-the <br />Green River and 0.3% on the Colorado River within the study area. <br />The angling mortality rate is unknown but negligible considering <br />the low catch rate. This study indicates that fishing pressure <br />is not an immediate danger to the Colorado squawfish populations <br />in these areas. <br />Although no significant angler impact on the endangered fish <br />was documented, some researchers feel there may be more of an <br />impact than indicated (RIP participants, pers. comm.). There are <br />several possible influences of angling that have not been <br />