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increase. Channel catfish abundance in LD4 in 2002 to 2004 was similar to that in Whirlpool <br />Canyon in the same period. <br />Size structure of channel catfish in electrofishing samples in Lodore Canyon changed <br />between the two periods, mainly because of increased abundance in 2002 to 2004 (Fig. 33). In <br />general, during both periods larger fish (> 300 mm TL) were more common in the upper reaches <br />of Lodore Canyon and smaller fish were more common in lower Lodore Canyon; the pattern is <br />more obvious in the recent period. Similar to lower Lodore Canyon, channel catfish in <br />Whirlpool Canyon in the 251 to 300 mm TL size class dominated populations, although a few <br />very large fish were also present. No small channel catfish were sampled in Lodore Canyon, <br />perhaps indicating absence of reproduction by that species there. Small channel catfish were <br />present in downstream Whirlpool Canyon. <br />Smallmouth bass distribution and abundance in Lodore Canyon increased dramatically in <br />the 2002 to 2004 period compared to 1994 to 1996 (Fig. 34); CPUE data showed a significant <br />increase (Table 8). Only a single smallmouth bass was collected from 1994 to 1996 by <br />electrofishing and was found in reach LD3. Now smallmouth bass occupy all Lodore Canyon <br />reaches and increased in abundance in a downstream fashion, where they now constitute > 6% of <br />the fish community in LD 4 and > 10% of the fish community in Whirlpool Canyon. Seine <br />samples showed a similar pattern, as smallmouth bass reproduction was first noted in lower <br />Lodore Canyon in 2002 (N = 4, 13 to 85 mm TL) and was more progressively widespread in <br />2003 and 2004. Smallmouth bass were not found in Browns Park. <br />Size structure of smallmouth bass captured in 2002 to 2004 suggested a population <br />invading from downstream, as the few fish present upstream were relatively large. Based on the <br />low numbers of small fish upstream, reproduction there was presumed low or absent (Fig. 35). <br />In reaches LD3 and LD4, modal size was smaller at 201 to 250 mm TL and a wide variety of <br />sizes of smallmouth bass were present, including small and very large fish. In Whirlpool <br />Canyon, modal size continued to decline as fish in the 151 to 200-mm TL size class were most <br />abundant. <br />35