Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus Gilae) Data: Gila Trout Recovery Plan-2002 Partners: AZ, NM, FWS, FS, Tribe______

Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) Data: Gila Trout Recovery Plan-2002 Partners: AZ, NM, FWS, FS, Tribe______

Status of the Gila Trout: The Gila trout (GT) ensure that angling pressure does not prevent, was originally recognized as endangered under but enhances, progress towards full recovery. the Federal Endangered Species Preservation Gila trout will be managed by the States as long Act of 1966 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as the population remains above the recovery 1967). Federal-designated status of the fish as threshold. endangered was continued under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (U.S. Fish and Distribution of Gila Trout: The extent of the Wildlife Service, 1975) until 2006 when the historical distribution of the Gila trout is not species was down-listed to threatened (USFWS known with certainty. It is known to be native 2006). The Gila trout was listed as endangered to higher elevation streams in portions of the by the New Mexico Department of Game and Gila River drainage in New Mexico and Gila Fish in 1975 under the Wildlife Conservation River tributaries in Arizona, and the San Act and was down-listed to threatened in 1988, Francisco River drainage in Arizona and New and remains listed as threatened by NMDGF. Mexico. Currently, there are 14 populations of Gila trout are considered a Species of Concern Gila trout in the wild. Additionally, the Mora by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. National Fish Health and Technology Center (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) maintains Sportfishing Status of the Gila Trout: captive populations of the Main and South Diamond lineages. Fishing for Gila trout was restricted under its status as an endangered species. The recent Range of the Gila Trout: down-listing to threatened includes a special ______provision that will allow the states of New Mexico and Arizona to manage the species as a sportfish in select areas for the first time in almost 50 years. Guidelines will be developed to allow for limited sport fishing in specific waters where stocking of non-native trout would be replaced by stocking of Gila trout. If this occurs, some restoration streams would continue to be protected from angling. However, allowing for limited angling for a unique native species can increase public knowledge and support for its conservation. Such support may come from both sports fishing enthusiasts and private landowners that might benefit from allowing access to fishing on their property. Involvement from the general public and landowners provides opportunity for increased Gila trout restoration and should result in a conservation benefit to the species. The Service and the State wildlife and fisheries management agencies responsible for establishing fishing regulations will work to

Western Native Trout Status Report Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae)______

All of the relict populations are self-sustaining increases in July through September coinciding in the wild and all lineages, except the Whiskey with runoff from convectional summer Creek lineage, have been replicated in a thunderstorms. Sporadic periods of runoff from sufficient number of drainages to prevent loss winter rains or mid-season snowmelt often of any lineage from a natural or human-caused results in flows slightly elevated above base event. The Main Diamond Creek population levels in December and January. was restored to its original habitat following its loss in the wild from the 1989 Divide Fire. Gila trout require water temperatures below Replicates of the Main Diamond Creek 25oC (77oF), clean gravel substrate for population persist in McKnight Creek, Sheep spawning, continuous stream flow of sufficient Corral Canyon, lower Little Creek, upper quantity to maintain adequate water depth and White Creek, and Black Canyon. Similarly, the temperature, and pool habitat that provides South Diamond Creek population was restored refuge during low flow conditions and periods to its original habitat following its loss in the of thermal extremes. Abundant invertebrate wild from the 1995 Bonner Fire. The South prey, cover, and water free from contaminants Diamond Creek population is replicated in the are also required. Cover typically consists of Mogollon Creek drainage, which includes a undercut banks, boulder alcoves, large woody portion of the main stem of Mogollon Creek, debris, deep pools, exposed root masses of trees Trail Canyon, Woodrow Canyon, and South at waters edge, and overhanging vegetation. Fork Mogollon Creek. Individuals from Whiskey Creek were stocked in Langstroth Current obstacles, issues and concerns Canyon, but success of this replication has not related to the continued improvement been documented. The Spruce Creek in the status of the Gila trout: population is replicated in Big Dry Creek, Dude Creek, and Raspberry Creek. The total Water condition concerns: population size of Gila trout in the wild was estimated to be approximately 37,000 in 1998. High stream discharge variability is a defining characteristic of the environment to Habitat Requirements of the Gila Trout: which Gila trout has adapted. During low-flow years, marginal habitats may become too warm to Habitat of Gila trout consists of perennial support trout or surface flow may cease and montane streams ranging from 1,660 m (5,400 stream segments may dry. Pool depth may ft) to over 2,800 m (9,200 ft) elevation. diminish to the extent that winter mortality Suitable stream habitat within the range of the of trout is greatly increased. Large magnitude o species is situated between about 33 to near flood events during high flow years may scour o o o 35 north latitude and 107 45' to near 112 15' stream channels and eliminate year classes of west longitude. Streams with suitable habitat trout. These frequent, recurring extremes in flow for Gila trout are found in coniferous and conditions are a basic element of the relatively mixed woodland, montane coniferous forest, harsh environment that distinguishes habitat of and sub-alpine coniferous forest. Stream flow Gila trout from the typical trout streams of more is characterized by a snowmelt-dominated northern latitudes. Wildfire impacts and drought hydrograph in most years and snowmelt runoff in recent years have exacerbated the impacts of typically begins in February, peaks in March, flow variability. and gradually decreases through May. Base flow conditions prevail in June and into July. Use of non-native sportfish concerns: Mean monthly discharge characteristically

Western Native Trout Status Report Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae)______

Stocking and naturalization of non-native trout Population viability concerns: within the range of Gila trout and ensuing hybridization, predation, and competition are Hybridization with rainbow trout is a major major causes for the imperiled status of the cause for the historical decline and continued species. Rainbow trout and brown trout have imperilment of Gila trout. Stocking of rainbow become naturalized and are widespread within trout within the historical range of Gila trout the historical range of Gila trout. Current began in the early 1900’s. Although current stocking of rainbow trout is conducted only in stocking of rainbow trout occurs only in stream segments not inhabited by Gila trout, locations considerable distance from extant however, hybridization with rainbow trout Gila trout populations, rainbow trout have remains a prominent threat to Gila trout. A vital become naturalized throughout the range of component of recovery and long-term survival of Gila trout. Hybridization remains a prominent Gila trout is removal of non-native trout through threat, as evidenced by loss of previously chemical renovations and electrofishing. presumed pure populations (Iron Creek and McKenna Creek) and detection of recent Land use and management issues: introgression of rainbow trout genes in the Mogollon Creek population. Resolution of the Forest management includes activities that Mogollon Creek hybridization included directly or indirectly affect species composition, capture, genetic characterization, and spawning density, and vertical structure of vegetation. of Gila trout from Mogollon Creek and Changes in these forest variables may affect restocking after renovation to remove all watershed characteristics such as infiltration, remaining trout. Hybridization is a threat to runoff, and erosion, and stream habitat Gila trout because it results in the loss of the characteristics such as sediment transport, unique genetic identity of the species, which nutrient cycling, physical habitat features, and represents its evolutionary history and local water temperature. Forest management includes adaptation to the environments it inhabits. silvicultural treatments (e.g., timber harvest, Continuous monitoring of the genetic structure thinning, prescribed burning) and wildfire of pure Gila trout populations is necessary to control. Although much of the habitat of Gila ensure maintenance of the genetic purity of trout is within designated wilderness where recovery populations by rapidly identifying timber harvest is not allowed, historical logging compromised populations. activities likely caused major changes in watershed characteristics and stream Fish Disease Considerations: morphology. Poorly managed livestock grazing can degrade watershed condition, stream The carrier of Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD), habitat and riparian environments, resulting in the gram-positive bacterium Renibacterium decreased production of salmonids. salmoninarum, has been detected in very low Historically, widespread, uncontrolled livestock amounts in the Whiskey Creek population of grazing likely contributed to habitat Gila trout, but generally occurs in very low degradation modifications cited as a cause for amounts in trout populations in the upper West the decline of Gila trout. Severe forest fires Fork Gila River (J. Landye, U.S. Fish and capable of extirpating or decimating fish Wildlife Service, pers. comm.). Although the populations are relatively recent phenomena, carrier is present (an indication that the resulting from the cumulative effects of population was exposed to BKD sometime historical or ongoing overgrazing by domestic within its recent history), there is no evidence livestock and fire suppression. of the disease in any population. Whirling

Western Native Trout Status Report Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae)______disease is not present in any wild or hatchery • involve the public in discussions regarding population of Gila trout. the status of recovery actions and issues associated with recovery of Gila trout. Opportunities to Improve the Status of Gila Trout Population manipulations

The strategy is to establish and maintain self- Gila trout were once widespread in the upper sustaining populations of Gila trout. A population Gila River Basin, but have declined because of will be considered established when it sustains hybridization with rainbow trout, predation by itself by natural reproduction and recruitment, is and competition with brown trout, and habitat capable of persisting under the range of variation degradation. The current distribution of Gila in habitat conditions that occur in the restoration trout consists of 14 populations in headwater stream, and when the population is protected from stream habitats in New Mexico and Arizona. invasion by non-native trout. Recovery efforts are intended to ameliorate the five main threats that have and continue to Key actions include: contribute to the imperiled status of the Gila trout. These efforts will restore the species to Survey and manage existing Gila trout drainages within its historical range and ensure populations long-term survival of the species, as Re-establish populations with genetically represented by each of the four known, appropriate fish in renovated streams genetically pure lineages. Recovery of Gila Continue to utilize GT broodstock management trout will serve to maintain biological diversity plan for hatchery propagation of fishes for and restore a native faunal component of the repatriation to the wild Gila River drainage in New Mexico and Prevent reinvasion of non-natives by maintaining Arizona. Conservation of a species that has or establishing in-stream barriers as needed evolved and adapted over thousands of years will be accomplished by recovery of Gila trout. Maintenance of quality habitat Restoration streams for repatriating Gila trout are largely on lands managed by the U.S. Forest Recovery streams that are subject to multiple Service. Many of the potential restoration land-use practices, such as timber harvest or streams are located within Federally-designated thinning, prescribed fire, livestock grazing, and wilderness areas. intensive recreation, should be managed to maintain healthy riparian corridors that promote Proposed actions to reach recovery and protect sufficient habitat conditions for all Gila trout life and secure long-term population viability functions. Occupied streams that have unstable or include 4 priorities: declining conditions should be the focus of remedial actions. Routine monitoring should be • Repatriate Gila trout to streams and used to assess stream conditions. complex drainages within its historical range; Key actions include: • Conserve habitat of Gila trout through protection, restoration, and maintenance; Determine baseline habitat conditions using a • Continue to investigate aspects of the standard protocol biology, ecology, life history, habitat, and Complete habitat improvement or protection genetics of the species that are important on a priority basis for conservation of Gila trout; and

Western Native Trout Status Report Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae)______

Develop BMPs, AMPs or FPs for land use Estimated 5-year need (thousands of dollars) activities in GT drainages to reduce impacts • Establish Populations $750 Manage human impacts through appropriate • Protect Populations and Habitat $565 regulations • Investigate Conservation Issues $80

Assessment of appropriate regulatory Estimated 10-yr need (thousands of dollars) functions and mechanisms • Establish Populations $310 • Protect Populations and Habitat $605 Gila trout recovery depends, in part, on • Investigate Conservation Issues $159 adequate regulatory mechanisms and management programs remaining in existence Completed Projects: to ensure that all populations of Gila Trout and their habitats are maintained. 1. 2. Key actions include: 3.

Identify regulatory mechanisms, laws, and References: policies that are insufficient to fulfill all recovery objectives and protect Gila trout 1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Gila Monitor, prevent, and control disease and/or Trout Recovery Plan (third revision). causative agents, parasites, and pathogens. Albuquerque, New Mexico. i-vii + 78 pp. Implement appropriate laws and regulations to allow Gila trout populations to persist in light On-going partnerships and joint ventures of commercial, scientific, and recreational uses.

Recovery Activities-NM Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Highest Priority Actions for GT protection Forest Service, Arizona Game and Fish. and de-listing: Genetics-University of New Mexico Dr. Thomas 1. Gila, San Francisco and Verde River Turner, NMDGF, USFWS. Watersheds a. Construct new and maintain Hatchery-USFWS Mora National Fish Hatchery existing stream barriers. and Technology Center. b. Eliminate non-native trout from as ______much of historical range as possible. c. Identify, select, and evaluate restoration streams in drainage complexes. This publication was funded (or partially funded) by Federal Aid to Sportfish Restoration Funds through d. Complete NEPA documentation for the Multistate Conservation Grant Program (Grant stream renovations. WY M-8-P), a program supported with funds from e. Renovate streams and establish Gila the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and jointly trout populations. managed with the Association of Fish and Wildlife f. Monitor populations and habitat. Agencies, 2006-9. g. Support research programs to acquire needed information

Western Native Trout Status Report