White River Fishery in Utah MICHAEL FIORELLI UTAH DIVISION OF - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

White River Fishery in Utah

MICHAEL FIORELLI UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Endangered Species

Threatened Species

Importance of White River

Designated critjcal habitat for both Razorback and Pikeminnow Three species stronghold Critjcal for Upper Colorado River Basin natjve species

Sampling Results

2016 populatjon estjmates

• 270 Bluehead/Mile (234 – 427)
• 316 Flannelmouth/Mile (274 – 496)

Bluehead Sucker Flannelmouth Sucker

RZ

Roundtail Chub Channel Catgish Common Carp Colorado Pikeminnow Mountain Sucker Bluewhite Hybrid

Flannelmouthwhite Hybrid

Red Shiner Speckled Dace Smallmouth Bass Sand Shiner Fathead Minnow Green Sunfjsh White Sucker

Community Composition and Length Frequency (2016)

80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Young of Year Surveys

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 10 15 20 25 30 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 BH FM RT Max spring runofg CPUE (fjsh/hr) Cubic Feet/Second

Reasons for Decline

Increase in invasive species Loss of habitat Low run ofg years

What can we do?

River and habitat restoratjon

• Removing invasive plants
• Allow for movement within fmoodplain

Remove invasive species

• Reduce predatjon and hybridizatjon risk

Increase spring run-ofg and base fmows

• Increase available spawning and rearing habitat

Conclusion

The White River is critjcal for the Upper Colorado River basin natjve fjsh Recent changes in recruitment are a concern Expansion of smallmouth bass are a concern River restoratjon work should help all of the natjve fjsh species

Questions