Group works to control smallmouth bass, pike

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program is continuing efforts to manage smallmouth bass and northern pike in sections of the Green, Yampa, White and Colorado rivers in Utah and Colorado.

Work has begun in river sections where scientific evidence shows that these non-native fish species are impeding recovery of the endangered humpback chub, bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker.

Depending on the river reach, biologists will remove smallmouth bass and/or northern pike. In Utah, non-native fish removed from the river will not be relocated to other waters. Utah adheres to fish disease control rules and policies that prohibit fish transfers between water bodies without prior health certification. Certifying fish populations in large rivers as disease free is nearly impossible.

Three of the Recovery Program's partners — the states of Utah and Colorado and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — will conduct this year's work. Biologists from Colorado State University will also participate.

"Recovery goals for the endangered fishes identify nonnative fish as a primary threat to the continued existence or reestablishment of self-sustaining endangered fish populations," said Bob Muth, recovery program director.

"Non-native fish compete for food and space in the river, and some species are known to prey upon endangered and other native fish. The overall goal of non-native fish management is to attain and maintain fish communities where populations of endangered and other native fish species can persist and thrive, and the recovery goals can be achieved."

Active removal is one of several non-native fish management actions. Other actions include: screening reservoir outlets and berming ponds to prevent non-native fish from entering the river where they could interact with endangered fishes; working with the states to regulate stocking of non-native fishes and to change bag and possession limits to increase harvest of the non-native fish species of greatest concern; and studying the sources of non-native fish to help determine the most cost-effective and efficient methods to prevent them from entering habitats occupied by endangered fish.

"All of our management actions involve the active support of recovery partners, including state and federal fish and wildlife agencies," Muth said. "We recognize that these agencies have dual responsibilities to conserve listed and other native species while providing for sportfishing opportunities. We work closely to support their respective missions while we work cooperatively to recover the endangered fishes."

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program was established in 1988.

For more information call 303-969-7322, ext. 227, or visit the Recovery Program's Web site — coloradoriverrecovery.fws.gov.