Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) Data: Gila Trout Recovery Plan-2003 Partners: Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service
Gila Trout Species Status review: landowners provides opportunity for The Gila Trout was originally recognized as increased Gila Trout restoration and should endangered under the Federal Endangered result in a conservation benefit to the Species Preservation Act of 1966 (U.S. Fish species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wildlife Service, 1967). Federal- and the State wildlife and fisheries designated status of the fish as endangered management agencies responsible for was continued under the Endangered establishing fishing regulations work to Species Act of 1973 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife ensure that angling pressure does not Service, 1975) until 2006 when the species prevent, but enhances, progress toward full was down-listed to threatened (U.S. Fish and recovery. Gila Trout angling will continue to Wildlife Service, 2006). The Gila Trout was be managed by the States as long as the listed as endangered by the New Mexico population remains above the recovery Department of Game and Fish in 1975 under threshold. the Wildlife Conservation Act and was down-listed to threatened in 1988, and Distribution of Gila Trout: The extent of remains listed as threatened by New Mexico the historical distribution of the Gila Trout is Department of Game and Fish. Gila Trout not known with certainty. It is known to be are considered a Species of Concern by the native to higher elevation streams in Arizona Game and Fish Department. portions of the Gila River drainage in New Mexico, San Francisco River drainage in Sportfishing Status of the Gila Trout: Arizona and New Mexico, and tributaries to Fishing for Gila Trout was once restricted the Gila River in Arizona. Currently, there under its status as an endangered species. are 12 populations of Gila Trout in the wild. The down-listing to threatened in 2006 Additionally, the Mora National Fish Health includes a special provision that allows the and Technology Center (U.S. Fish and states of New Mexico and Arizona to Wildlife Service) maintains captive manage the species as a sportfish in select populations of all four Gila Trout lineages. areas for the first time in almost 50 years. Guidelines have been developed to allow for limited sport fishing in specific waters Range of the Gila Trout: where stocking of non-native trout was Three of the four relict populations are self- replaced by stocking of Gila Trout. Most sustaining in the wild; the relict population restoration streams continue to be protected in Spruce Creek was eliminated following from angling. However, allowing for limited the Whitewater-Baldy Fire in 2012. With the angling for a unique native species can exception of the Spruce Creek lineage, all increase public knowledge and support for other lineages have been replicated in a its conservation. Such support may come sufficient number of drainages to minimize from both sport fishing enthusiasts and potential loss of any lineage from a natural private landowners that might benefit from or human-caused event. The Main Diamond allowing access to fishing on their property. Involvement from the general public and Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae)
37,000 in 1998 and current estimates are unavailable.
Gila Trout Habitat Requirements: Habitat of Gila Trout consists of perennial montane streams ranging from 1,660 m (5,400 ft) to over 2,800 m (9,200 ft) elevation. Suitable stream habitat within the range of the species is situated between about 33° to near 35° north latitude and 107° 45' to near 112° 15' west longitude. Streams with suitable habitat for Gila Trout are found in coniferous and mixed woodland, Creek population was restored to its original montane coniferous forest, and sub-alpine habitat following its loss in the wild from coniferous forest. Stream flow is the 1989 Divide Fire. Replicates of the Main characterized by a snowmelt-dominated Diamond Creek population persist in Sheep hydrograph in most years and snowmelt Corral Canyon, lower Little Creek, and runoff typically begins in February, peaks in Black Canyon. Main Diamond lineage Gila March, and gradually decreases through Trout were recently stocked in upper May. Base flow conditions prevail in June Langstroth Creek but success of this and into July. Mean monthly discharge replication has not yet been documented. characteristically increases in July through Similarly, the South Diamond Creek September coinciding with runoff from population was restored to its original convectional summer thunderstorms. habitat following its loss in the wild from Sporadic periods of runoff from winter rains the 1995 Bonner Fire. The South Diamond or mid-season snowmelt often results in Creek population is replicated in Grapevine flows slightly elevated above base levels in Creek, Frye Creek, Willow Creek, and the December and January. Gila Trout require Mogollon Creek drainage, which includes a water temperatures below 25°C (77°F), portion of the main stem of Mogollon Creek, clean gravel substrate for spawning, Trail Canyon, Woodrow Canyon, and South continuous stream flow of sufficient Fork Mogollon Creek. The Whiskey Creek quantity to maintain adequate water depth relict population was eliminated by the 2012 and temperature, and pool habitat that Whitewater Baldy Fire, but has been provides refuge during low flow conditions replicated in McKenna Creek and upper and periods of thermal extremes. Abundant White Creek. The Spruce Creek population invertebrate prey, cover, and water free from was also eliminated by the 2012 Whitewater contaminants are also required. Cover Baldy Fire but is replicated in Big Dry typically consists of undercut banks, boulder Creek. Mixed lineage populations were alcoves, large woody debris, deep pools, established in Dude Creek and Ash Creek in exposed root masses of trees at water’s edge, 2015, recruitment has yet to be documented. and overhanging vegetation. The total population size of Gila Trout in the wild was estimated to be approximately
Western Native Trout Status Report – Updated February 2016
Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae)
Concerns, Issues, or Obstacles chemical piscicide treatments and relative to the Conservation and electrofishing. Improvement of the status of Gila Land use and management issues Trout: Forest management includes activities that Water Condition Concerns directly or indirectly affect species composition, density, and vertical structure High stream discharge variability is a of vegetation. Changes in these forest defining characteristic of the environment to variables may affect watershed which Gila Trout has adapted. During low- characteristics such as infiltration, runoff, flow years, marginal habitats may become and erosion, and stream habitat too warm to support trout or surface flow characteristics such as sediment transport, may cease and stream segments may dry. nutrient cycling, physical habitat features, Pool depth may diminish to the extent that and water temperature. Forest management winter mortality of trout is greatly increased. includes silvicultural treatments (e.g., timber Large magnitude flood events during high harvest, thinning, prescribed burning) and flow years may scour stream channels and wildfire control. Although much of the eliminate year classes of trout. These habitat of Gila Trout is within designated frequent, recurring extremes in flow wilderness where timber harvest is not conditions are a basic element of the allowed, historical logging activities likely relatively harsh environment that caused major changes in watershed distinguishes habitat of Gila Trout from the characteristics and stream morphology. typical trout streams of more northern Poorly managed livestock grazing can latitudes. Wildfire impacts and drought in degrade watershed condition, stream habitat recent years have exacerbated the impacts of and riparian environments, resulting in flow variability. decreased production of salmonids. Historically, widespread, uncontrolled Non-native Sportfish Concerns livestock grazing likely contributed to habitat degradation modifications cited as a Stocking and naturalization of non-native cause for the decline of Gila Trout. Severe trout within the range of Gila trout and forest fires capable of extirpating or ensuing hybridization, predation, and decimating fish populations are relatively competition are major causes for the recent phenomena, resulting from the imperiled status of the species. Rainbow cumulative effects of historical or ongoing Trout and Brown Trout have become overgrazing by domestic livestock and fire naturalized and are widespread within the suppression. historical range of Gila Trout. Current stocking of Rainbow Trout is conducted only in stream segments not inhabited by Natural disturbances Gila Trout, however, hybridization with Rainbow Trout remains a prominent threat Over the last decade, large scale wildfires to Gila Trout. A vital component of recovery have occurred on a more regular frequency and long-term survival of Gila Trout is than historically observed. These fires have removal of non-native trout through eliminated several populations of Gila Trout
Western Native Trout Status Report – Updated February 2016
Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae)
and drastically altered the hydrology in unique genetic identity of the species, which many watersheds. Views of the geographic represents its evolutionary history and local replication of Gila Trout have changed as a adaptation to the environments it inhabits. result of these fires, and the recovery team is Continuous monitoring of the genetic considering alternative methods for recovery structure of pure Gila Trout populations is actions. necessary to ensure maintenance of the genetic purity of recovery populations by Population viability concerns rapidly identifying compromised populations. Genetic diversity has been Hybridization with Rainbow Trout is a found to be low in the Spruce Creek lineage, major cause for the historical decline and and discussions have been ongoing to continued imperilment of Gila Trout. determine a strategy to preserve and ideally Stocking of Rainbow Trout within the recover some of the genetic diversity in the historical range of Gila Trout began in the lineage. This may result in mixing multiple early 1900’s. Although current stocking of lineages both in the wild and at Mora Rainbow Trout occurs only in locations National Fish Hatchery. considerable distance from extant Gila Trout populations, Rainbow Trout have become naturalized throughout the range of Gila Trout. Hybridization remains a prominent Opportunities To Improve the threat, as evidenced by loss of previously Status of Gila Trout presumed pure populations (Iron Creek and McKenna Creek) and detection of Gila Trout were once widespread in the introgression of Rainbow Trout genes in the upper Gila River Basin, but have declined Mogollon Creek population. Resolution of because of hybridization with Rainbow the Mogollon Creek hybridization included Trout, predation by and competition with capture, genetic characterization, and Brown and Brook trout, and habitat spawning of Gila Trout from Mogollon degradation. The current distribution of Gila Creek and restocking after a piscicide Trout consists of 12 populations in treatment to remove all remaining trout. In headwater stream habitats in New Mexico addition, effective barriers continue to play and Arizona. Recovery efforts are intended an important role in the protection of pure to ameliorate the five main threats that have Gila Trout populations. A waterfall barrier and continue to contribute to the imperiled on the upper West Fork Gila River was status of the Gila Trout. These efforts will thought to be sufficient for protection of restore the species to drainages within its Gila Trout upstream; however, Rainbow and historical range and ensure long-term Brown trout were able to pass the waterfall survival of the species, as represented by during high flow events and resulted in each of the four known, genetically pure hybridization of the Gila Trout population. lineages. Recovery of Gila Trout will serve Augmentation of the waterfall or a new, to maintain biological diversity and restore a constructed barrier will be necessary to native faunal component of the Gila River protect Gila Trout in the upper West Fork drainage in New Mexico and Arizona. Gila River. Hybridization is a threat to Gila Conservation of a species that has evolved Trout because it results in the loss of the and adapted over thousands of years will be
Western Native Trout Status Report – Updated February 2016
Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae)
accomplished by recovery of Gila Trout. Continue to utilize Gila Trout Restoration streams for repatriating Gila broodstock management plan for Trout are largely on lands managed by the hatchery propagation of fishes for U.S. Forest Service. Many of the potential repatriation to the wild. restoration streams are located within Prevent reinvasion of non-natives by Federally-designated wilderness areas. maintaining or establishing in-stream Proposed actions to reach recovery and barriers as needed. protect and secure long-term population viability include 4 priorities: Maintenance of quality habitat Repatriate Gila Trout to streams and complex drainages within its Recovery streams that are subject to historical range; multiple land-use practices, such as timber Conserve habitat of Gila Trout harvest or thinning, prescribed fire, livestock through protection, restoration, and grazing, and intensive recreation, should be maintenance; managed to maintain healthy riparian Continue to investigate aspects of the corridors that promote sufficient habitat biology, ecology, life history, conditions for all Gila Trout life functions. habitat, and genetics of the species Occupied streams that have unstable or that are important for conservation of declining conditions should be the focus of Gila Trout; and remedial actions. Routine monitoring should Engage the public in discussions be used to assess stream conditions. regarding the status of recovery actions and issues associated with Key actions include: recovery of Gila Trout. Determine baseline habitat conditions using a standard protocol. Population manipulations Complete habitat improvement or protection on a priority basis. The strategy is to establish and maintain Develop BMPs, AMPs or FPs for self-sustaining populations of Gila Trout. A land use activities in Gila Trout population will be considered established drainages to reduce impacts. when it sustains itself by natural Manage human impacts through reproduction and recruitment, is appropriate regulations. capable of persisting under the range of variation in habitat conditions that occur in Assessment of appropriate regulatory the restoration stream, and when the functions and mechanisms population is protected from invasion by non-native trout. Gila Trout recovery depends, in part, on adequate regulatory mechanisms and Key actions include: management programs remaining in Survey and manage existing Gila Trout existence to ensure that all populations of populations. Gila Trout and their habitats are maintained. Re-establish populations with genetically appropriate fish in renovated Key actions include: streams.
Western Native Trout Status Report – Updated February 2016
Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae)
Identify regulatory mechanisms, Protect Populations and Habitat laws, and policies that are $605,000 insufficient to fulfill all recovery Investigate Conservation Issues objectives and protect Gila Trout $159,000 Monitor, prevent, and control disease and/or causative agents, parasites, and pathogens. On-going partnerships and joint ventures Implement appropriate laws and regulations to allow Gila Trout Recovery Activities-New Mexico Dept. of populations to persist in light of Game and Fish, Arizona Dept. of Game and commercial, scientific, and Fish, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. recreational uses. Forest Service.
Highest Priority Actions for Gila Genetics-University of New Mexico, New Trout protection and de-listing: Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
1. Gila, San Francisco and Verde River Hatchery-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Watersheds Mora National Fish Hatchery and Construct new and maintain Technology Center. existing stream barriers. Eliminate non-native trout from as much of historical range as possible. WNTI Completed or Ongoing Projects: Identify, select, and evaluate Black Canyon Barrier Renovation (2007) - restoration streams in drainage $94,775 complexes. Haigler Creek Renovation (2010) - $30,000 Complete NEPA documentation for Wallow Fire Habitat Assessment (2012) - stream piscicide treatments. $40,000 Conduct piscicide treatments to Whitewater-Baldy Fire Habitat Assessments remove nonnative trout and establish (2013) - $53,000 (2014) - $53,000 Willow Creek Fish Barrier (2015) - $70,000 Gila Trout populations. Monitor populations and habitat. Support research programs to References: acquire needed information 1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Gila Trout Recovery Plan (third revision). Estimated 5-year need Albuquerque, New Mexico. Establish Populations $750,000 ______ Protect Populations and Habitat This publication was funded (or partially funded) by $565,000 Federal Aid to Sportfish Restoration Funds through the Multistate Conservation Grant Program (Grant Investigate Conservation Issues WY M-8-P), a program supported with funds from $80,000 the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and jointly managed with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Estimated 10-yr need Agencies, 2006-9. Establish Populations $310,000
Western Native Trout Status Report – Updated February 2016