7903

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7903
• Author: Trammell, M. A., L. Lentsch and T. McKay.
• Title: Assessment of Angler Impacts on Colorado Squawfish ‎(
• USFW Year: 1996.
• Copyright Material: NO

V
Executive Summary
In 1989 the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conducted a
creel survey on portions of the Green and Colorado rivers within
Utah to assess the impacts of angling on the endangered Colorado
squawfish. The survey was conducted from late April to mid-
September on the Green River, and to mid-October on the Colorado
River. The survey included river kilometer 537.4 to 464.4 (river
mile 334-289) on the Green River, and river kilometer 159.3 to
75.6 (river mile 99-47) on the Colorado River. Months were
divided into weekday and weekend strata. Weekends were surveyed
proportionately more often than weekdays. Angler counts were
higher on weekends than weekdays in all months for both rivers.
Counts were higher on the Colorado River than the Green River,
but recorded angler hours were higher on the Green River.
Estimated total pressure in anglers per month was higher on the
Colorado River. Most anglers preferred the non-native channel
catfish which comprised 80.5% and 98.5% of the catch on the Green
and Colorado rivers, respectively. Few native fish species were
caught. No endangered fish were observed in the possession of
anglers but four Colorado squawfish from the Green River, and two
from the Colorado River were reported caught and released.
Although angler impacts could not be adequately addressed due to
gaps in our knowledge of squawfish, including the population size
of adult squawfish in the study areas, angling related mortality
rate, recruitment rate and a more accurate assessment of fishing
pressure, we feel another survey is not necessary at this time.