7071

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7071
• Author: Bosley, C.
• Title: Pre-Impoundment Study of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
• USFW Year: 1960.
• USFW - Doc Type: Cheyenne.
• Copyright Material: NO

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Brown Trout - (Salmo trutta fario)
The hatching experiments with eyed brown trout eggs gave evidence of the
ability of eyed eggs to withstand low water temperatures and conditions of
siltingy survival rate was 91.8', at the time of recovery.
Although the consensus of the original meeting between Utah and Wyoming
was not in favor,of stocking brown trout, the relative merits of this species
should be considered before a definite planting policy is established.
The brown trout is the dominant salmonid, in the Green River, from the
Daniel Bridge downstream. Evidence that it exists and spawns below the town
of Green River was found at the mouth of Sage Creek in 1959. A fingerling
brown trout 3 inches Long was taken during a check of the species present
in this stream. The last, nearest, plant of brown trout was made at Big
Island Bridge in 1954. Big Island Bridge is agpraximately 60 miles above
the mouth of Sage Creek.
From the standpoint of natural reproductivity, the brown trout would
be well adapted to spawning conditions existing in conjunction with the
Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The brown trout would utilize the Green River
proper and tributaries with a greater degree of spawning success than any of
the other salmonid species. Resident populations of brown trout would be
more likely to develop in the area between .the backwaters of the Flaming Gorge
Reservoir and the Fontenelle Dam, thus reducing the number of species needed
to utilize and manage the .entire unit.
Walleye Pike - (Stizostedien vitreum vitreum)
In discussions of walleye pike with other fisheries workers, states of
Nebraksa, Montana, the Dakotas and provinces of Alberta and Saskatcehwan, one
factor invaribly emergess the inability of fishermen to harvest walleye
populations during summer months. During the late fall and early spring
fishing seasons, pike are readily taken but catches fall off sharply during
the summer. The majority of fishing pressure on the Flaming Gorge .Reservoir
is anticipated during the months of June, July and August. This pressure is
expected to be quite high, estimated initially at 90,000 fisherman days, If
walleye pike populations were established in the reservoir, they would be
competing with other game fish populations and at the same time furnish little
to peak fishing pressures. During periods of drawdown in the winter and early
spring, these walleye populations would be forced into the main .body of the
reservoir normally occupied by rainbow populations. In these instances, pre-
dation of young rainbow is likely to be quite high.
Largemouth Bass - Huro salmondes)
From initial findings a number of factors appear to be in favor of largem
mouth bass. (1) During full stages the reservoir will offer large areas
of shallow water, 0 to 30 feet in depth. These areas lie in the vicinity
of the Wyoming-Utah State Line, the mouth of the Black°s Fork River, and in
the backwaters of the reservoir. (2) Bass spawn from May into July when water