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<br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />fl <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br />u <br />years (e. g., 1983) (Table 1). Figure b shows the relationships between <br />discharge, water temperature, and migration period for 1981-1983. For each <br />year, Colorado squawfish initiated spawning migrations 8-12 days following a <br />spring peak flow of about 3.5 times the mean annual discharge and a river <br />temperature regimen exceeding 11 C. It is not known whether these conditions <br />are requisite for initiation of spawning movements, but we believe some <br />combination of endogenous and exogenous factors are necessary (including <br />temperature, discharge, photoperiod), and that neither discharge nor <br />temperature alone are adequate for initiation of spawning migrations. .Effect <br />of exogenous factors on the control of reproductive cycles of cyprinid fishes <br />is well known (Bye 1984). Zt is possible that inputs of certain chemical <br />substances due to spring flooding, in combination with increasing water <br />temperatures, acts to initiate spawning migrations in Colorado squawfish. <br />Homing behavior in Colorado squawfish is indicated by long distance <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br />u <br />w <br />1 <br /> <br />movement patterns and repeated recaptures of the same fish on the Yampa River <br />spawning ground in subsequent years (Tyus 1985, Wick et al. 1983). Of four <br />fish radiotracked to the Yampa River spawning grounds for 1+ years, two <br />migrated to the same location in consecutive years, indicating fidelity to <br />the spawning site. Recaptures of fish on the Yampa River spawning ground <br />also supports the concept of fidelity in Colorado squawfish. A total of five <br />Colorado squawfish in breeding condition have been tagged and recaptured in <br />the Yampa River between RM 11 and RM 18 for intervals of 1+ years (3 fish for <br />two consecutive years, 1 fish after a two year interval, and 1 fish after a <br />three year interval). Adult Colorado squawfish using the Yampa River spawning <br />grounds have not been found to use any other spawning site throughout the <br />Green River system. <br />13 <br />1 <br />