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8 002712 recent information that demonstrates competition between young-of-the-year Colorado squawfish and fathead minnow. The fathead minnow is also a predator that attacks fish larvae and tears the larvae into pieces, The fathead minnows then eat the pieces so that the gape of the mouth is not important in the size of the larvae that are consumed. Channel catfish: This species has been introduced into the mainstem rivers. lakes. reservoirs. and ponds in the Upper Colorado River, Their diet includes other fishes and are considered a threat to the endangered fishes, Channel catfish were ranked 1st on the list of 28 nonnative fish species considered to adversely impact the native fishes in the Colorado River Basin (Hawkins and Nesler 1991), 6. Public and private waters that have a direct connection to rivers in the Upper Colorado River Basin (e.g,. Elkhead Reservoir. Highline Reservoir, and many ponds) will be equipped or managed with an anti-escapement device or practice acceptable to the Service and the State fish and wildlife agency, Lake Management Plans will be prepared or revised and approved by the Service and the State fish and wildlife agency before the continued stocking of nonnative, warmwater fish species will be allowed, The Program will pursue funding for equipping public reservoirs with anti-escapement devices. V. CASE-BY-CASE STOCKING OF NONNATIVE FISHES THAT PRESENTLY OCCUR IN THE UPPER COLORADO RIVER BASIN Stocking of nonnative fishes in public waters, not prohibited. that are not managed in the Upper Basin at the present time will require evaluation by the State wildlife agency and the Service on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the proposed stocking of these fishes will not adversely affect the endangered fishes, Minimum criteria for stocking will include: 1) no stocking of isolated ponds within the 50-year floodplain and 2) if the water has an outlet it must be screened or managed to control escapement. Stocking should be "confined to areas where absence of potential conflict with rare or endangered species can be demonstrated" (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1987). The intent here will be to address escapement potential. 1. Requests to stock nonnative fish species that are not prohibited in the Upper Basin in locations or situations not listed in Section IV will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will include the following information: A. The purpose and location of the proposed stocking. B, The species, numbers, and rationale for selecting the species,