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<br />SUMMARY <br />This report discusses data collection for the Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife's Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius) population and habitat <br />monitoring program on the Yampa River for 1985. During the year, 2283 fish <br />were collected by electrofishing, trammel nets and angling. Represented were <br />i 6 native, 5 introduced, and 2 hybrid species. Sampling was conducted during <br />spring (May 20-22, 26-30), summer (July 6-11, 14-21), and fall (Sept. 13-15, <br />20-22; Oct. 5-7) time periods which represented runoff, spawning, and <br />baseflow respectively. <br />A total of 54 Colorado squawfish was collected in 1985, 10 of which were <br />recaptures. Capture data reinforces previous years data to indicate that: <br />1. Squawfish remain within a relatively small area from late summer <br />until late spring. <br />2. Long-range movement (migration) occurs between the Upper Yampa and <br />the spawning area (Yampa Canyon) and/or visa versa. <br />3. There is movement from the Green River to the upper Yampa River. <br />This is another type of long-range movement, but it appears that <br />S this is a one-way movement of sub-adults. <br />4. Fish tend to remain in the Yampa River after establishing residency. <br />5. Recruitment of younger fish (450 - 500 mm TL) is occurring into the <br />a <br />upper Yampa River. <br />6. Colorado squawfish and northern pike appear to congregate in <br />backwater habitat in the spring. <br />16 7. Colorado squawfish and northern pike were collected with similar <br />frequency in similar habitat, in 1985. <br />8. Colorado squawfish and northern pike are highly succeptable to <br />a <br />angling at certain times of the year. <br />9. The relative abundance of northern pike has increased over the past <br />3 years. <br />a vi