RBC I Colorado Parks and Wildlife and its partners with the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program will host a Native Fish Informational Open House in Craig today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Craig City Council chambers.
The public will have the opportunity to meet with officials, ask questions and learn more about current and future efforts to recover and protect Colorado’s endangered native fishes—the Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, bonytail, and razorback sucker.
Program research has shown that non-native predators—primarily smallmouth bass and northern pike, found in large numbers in Elkhead Reservoir and several upper basin rivers, including the Yampa River— continue to be a significant impediment to the recovery of the state’s native fishes.
“The goal of the open house is for us to have a cordial, informative discussion with the public in a face-to-face setting,” said senior aquatic biologist Sherman Hebein of CPW. “We have done this before and heard from many local anglers that they appreciated the opportunity to meet the people involved in the recovery program. Based on the feedback we received after the last meeting, this is one of the most effective ways to provide accurate information directly to the public and address misconceptions.”
Officials will reveal details regarding recently developed strategies designed to protect native fishes from predators, including a major fishing tournament at Elkhead Reservoir this summer with the prize of a new boat, and a net that will span across the reservoir’s spillway.
Anglers who catch tagged smallmouth bass and northern pike will have their names entered into a drawing for the boat. The installation of the net across the reservoir’s spillway will help prevent the escapement of the predators into the Yampa River.
Updates about ongoing programs will also be part of the open house, including basin-wide fish removal and habitat modification projects designed to disadvantage non-native predators.
“One of our primary goals is to provide alternative warm water angling opportunities where we can, just not at the expense of our native fishes,” said Hebein. “There are compatible species we can stock, but we need to work together to make that happen. That includes CPW, the program, local citizens and anglers, and that is why these open house meetings are so important.”
Hebein adds that protecting Colorado’s endangered fishes is critical, not only for ethical reasons and to comply with the strict requirements of the federal Endangered Species Act, but to allow the continued, relatively unrestricted development and use of the state’s water resources.
“If the recovery program fails to make sufficient progress, all water users in this area, whether it is a state agency, corporation or private individual, will likely be required to consult with the federal government if they need to use the water for irrigation, or to fill a pond,” he said. “We are doing everything we can to quickly recover our native fishes and bring the program to a successful conclusion, but we need everyone’s help and cooperation. The consequences of failure are significant for the program and the public.”
Recovery of the endangered fishes will return management responsibility solely to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
