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