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<br />Bass, crappie, bluegill stocking OK'd in certain areas
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<br />TROUT, from Page 1
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<br />"In. developing .these procedures,
<br />oUr priority was to protect endangered
<br />fish," said John Hamill, director of the
<br />Recovery Program for Endangered
<br />Fish of the Upper Colorado River
<br />Basin. "But we think we can 'do that
<br />while allowing stocking of certain non-
<br />native fish in certam locations:;
<br />. According. to the. stocking proce-'
<br />dures, trout can be .stocked anywhere
<br />in the upper Colorado River drainage.
<br />Trout generally live in colder waters,
<br />.such as at higher elevations and in dam .
<br />tail waters, and therefore are Iiot consid-. .
<br />ered competitors with endangered fish.
<br />That should be good news for.
<br />anglers concerned about the. state's
<br />most popular species of sport fish. :
<br />"S'ome anglers may have heard
<br />rumors that .trout can no longer be'
<br />stocked because they pose big prob-
<br />lerosfor endangered fish," Hamill said.
<br />"Those statements are simply not true."
<br />The procedures have been used on a
<br />trial basis this spring and summer, will
<br />be revised beginning this fall.and final-
<br />ized nexi March. During this time, the
<br />Colorado Division of Wildlife plans to
<br />_ submit aboull5 stocking proposals for
<br />review. The public is welcome to como'
<br />ment on these draft procedures. Once
<br />procedures: are finalized, public com-
<br />ments :still can be made on specific
<br />stocking proposals.
<br />"Anyone. concerned about sport-fish-
<br />ing; environnlental issues and recovery
<br />of endangered fish is encouraged. to
<br />provide comments," Hamill said. .
<br />The document spells out those situa-
<br />tions. in which non, native fish species
<br />can be stocked. without review, those
<br />where stocking is prohibited altogether
<br />. and those in which proposals will be
<br />reviewed case-by-case. One key ele-
<br />ment now allows stocking of certain
<br />non-native fish above the 40-year flood
<br />plain, rather than a more restrictive 100-'
<br />year flood plain originally proposed.
<br />"The Colorado Division of Wildiife
<br />is very supportive of the trial period,
<br />and we are anxious to proceed in com-
<br />pliance with the Service, aqUaculture
<br />industry, sportsmen and others," said
<br />Perry Olson, director of the Colorado
<br />Division of Wildlife..
<br />The procedures apply to all federal
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<br />
<br />Colorado Division of WlIdlitQ photo
<br />Trout can be Stocked anywhere in the upper Colorado River Basin, according to
<br />the procedures. The.se fish live in oolder stretches of the river and are not oon-
<br />sidered oompetttors to endangered Colorado River fish.. .
<br />
<br />. and state wildlife agencies and private . In Colorado, the procedures exempt
<br />hatcheries' proposing to. stock non- existing management plans for the fol-
<br />native fish in western Colorado ,and lowing lakes and reservoirs: Rio Blanco,
<br />eastern Utah waters such as the Hallenbeck, Mack Mesa,ChipetaLakes,
<br />Colorado, Yampa, White, Gunnison, Cra",ford, Narraguinnep, Puett, Summit
<br />Dolores, Green, Duchesne; Price,' San and Totten.
<br />Rafael and Dirty Devil rivers as well'as .'In stretches of river currently occu-
<br />nearby lakes and reservoirs. pied by endangered fish, stocking of all
<br />Below are some highlights of the non-native fish species other than trout
<br />agreement: is prohibited. (Currently, trout are not
<br />. . Smallmouth bass can be stocked stocked in these waters either.)
<br />upstream of Flaming Gorge Dam and in
<br />certain standing waters separated from At . least . 55 fish species currently
<br />riveIS occupied by endangered fish. . exist In the Colorado River Basin; only
<br />. Black crappie, bluegill, channel 14 of these are native. Many biologists
<br />catfish and largemouth bass can' be believe non-native. fish compete with
<br />stocked in certain standing waters or. and prey upon the eggs and young of
<br />isolated ponds and reservoiIS. endangered fish.
<br />. Proposals to stock walleye, yellow To receive a copy of current stocking
<br />perch, wipers or tiger' muskie will'be procedures and provide comments,
<br />reviewed case-by-case based on crite- write or call: Colorado River Recovery
<br />ria such as the proposed stocking loca- Program, c/o U.s. Fish and Wildlife
<br />tion, potential for non-native fish to . Service, P.O. Box 25486/DFC, Denver,
<br />escape into habitat occupied by endan- CO 80225, (303) 236-2985. Comments
<br />gered fish and steps that could be taken also can be made directly to Colorado,
<br />to offset hann to endangered fish. Utah or Wyoming wildlife agencies.
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