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<br />. <br /> <br />DRAFT <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />A total of seven measurements were taken during the investigation, in <br />areas where the fish were either sedentary or moved within a discrete habitat <br />that could be characterized by point measurements. Velocities observed in and <br />around the fishes location were generally less than a foot per second (f/s), <br />ranging from -0.2 to 1.3 f/s. Depths at the fishes locations ranged from 2.3 <br />to 4.9 feet. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Habi tats used by pike were generally associated with some type of <br />structure in the channel that provided a current break and physical cover. All <br />the fish observed were found in close proximity to the shoreline, generally <br />inunediately below cobble bars or sandbars that created large slow eddies or <br />embayments. On two occasions the fish were visually observed cruising up and <br />down slackwater areas along the shoreline, consistently remaining only 3 to 4 <br />feet out from the water's edge. The continuous movements of the fish in these <br />areas indicate that the fish may be using these discrete area of slower current <br />as foraging areas. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Interactions Between NortheDn Pike and Colorado Squawfish <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />No interactions between northern pike or Colorado squawfish were observed <br />during the 87-88 winter. Due to the small number of pike that were radio- <br />tagged and the limited observations that were made on these fish, conclusions <br />on interactions with other fish cannot be made. It appears however, from <br />observations of habitat used by pike and that used by squawfish, that <br />similari ties do exist in the two species habitat preferences. Both species <br />seem to utilize distinct areas of lower velocities associated with instream <br />structures such as sandbars or cobble bars. It does seem however, that pike <br />may have a slightly narrower preference for habitat features which includes <br />areas close to shorelines and that have very low velocities. This type of <br />habitat is well within the range of habitats where squawfish were observed, <br />particularly squawfish which are active and probably foraging, making the <br />probability of interaction between the species in the study area highly likely. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Northern pike and razorback suckers were often found in close proximity in <br />the area of the river between RMI 307 and RMI 311. On two occasions a <br />razorback sucker and northern pike were observed in the same eddy. No <br />interactions were apparent with the exception of one occasion when a pike <br />passed within 2 to 3 feet of a sedentary razorback, displacing the razorback <br />about 10 to 15 feet from its position. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />50 <br /> <br />. <br />