Volume 2 | Issue 1 | April 2016
AZGFD Native Aquatic Species Conservation AZGFD Rapid Response Rotenone Treatment in a Colorado River SloughIN THE Aquatic Species Every year, typically during the Inside this issue: summer months, the Arizona Game Conservation CURRENT#TRENDINGNOW ...... 2 and Fish Department’s Colorado River ResearchLead Story staff Headline conducts surveys Native and Wild Trout Workshop ...... 2 in multiple locations throughout Lees Ferry in This an story effort can to fit detect 175-225 rare product or requesting newsletter and its length. Potential Stocking Sites for Gila Topminnow and Gila Chub ... 2 nonnativewords. species. The objective of your service. It’s recommended that these surveys is to identify potential you publish your news- IN THE FIELD ...... 3 threats toThe the purpose downstream of a news- native You can compile a mail- letter at least quarterly letter is to provide spe- ing list from business InsideRecent this andissue: Upcoming AZGFD- fish community in Grand Canyon, so that it’s considered a led Activities ...... 3 cialized information to a reply cards, customer consisting of Humpback Chub, consistent source of in- targeted audience. News- information sheets, busi- The Use of Snorkeling as a Flannelmouth Sucker, Bluehead Above: Shaula Hedwall (FWS) and Scott Rogersformation. (AGFD) applying Your potassium custom- permanganate Technique to Evaluate Conser- letters can be a great way nessto neutralize cards rotenone collected in the Slough.at Sucker, and Speckled Dace. During ers or employees will Insidevation Story………………… Actions ...... 2 3 to market your product trade shows, or member- most years, several nonnative and coordination with stakeholders.look November forward to 5th its, neutralizationarri- of or service, and also cre- ship lists. You might con- BACK AT THE PONDS ...... 4 species are collected, including Major considerations of the projectval. rotenone with potassium Inside Story………………… 2 ate credibility and build sider purchasing a mail- Northern Mexican Gartersnake Walleye, Common Carp, and Green included evaluation of the treatment permanganate was completed. your organization’s iden- ing list from a company. Microhabitat and Movement Sunfish. These species are typically area, the ability to effectively apply During the treatment, 1,785 and 180 tity among peers, mem- InsideAssessment Story………………… ...... 2 4 seen in low abundance, however in rotenoneIf you explore and the Pub- potassium Green Sunfish were removed from bers, employees, or ven- Summary of Santa Cruz River July 2015, a spike in the abundance permanganatelisher catalog, in theyou will Slough, and the upper and lower Slough dors. InsideNorthern Story………………… Mexican Gartersnake3 of Green Sunfish triggered preventionfind many of effectspublications of rotenone on respectively. Post-treatment surveys Surveys ...... 4 emergencyFirst, actions determine by the several audi- thethat popular match Rainbow the style Trout of sport were conducted November 12–13, cooperatingence ofagencies the newsletter. including the fisheryyour in newsletter. Lees Ferry. which indicated that the treatment Inside Story………………… 4 Department,This Nationalcould be anyone Park Service, had successfully eradicated Green Next,The project establish area how included much two USGS-Grandwho Canyon might Monitoringbenefit from and Sunfish from the upper and lower distincttime sections,and money the loweryou can Slough (4 Inside Story………………… 5 Researchthe Center, information U.S. Fish it con- and Slough. In order to prevent future surfacespend acres), on your which news- is connected to Wildlife Service,tains, for and example, the Bureau em- of establishment of nonnative fish in theletter. Colorado These River, factors and thewill upper Inside Story………………… 6 Reclamation.ployees Following or people the inter- initial this area, alteration of the existing Sloughhelp (0.3determine surface acres),how fre- which is detectionested of in purchasing Green Sunfish, a habitat is necessary, and will be isolatedquently from you the publish Colorado the River mechanical removal efforts were under discharges less than 20,000 pursued by National Park Service. conducted in an effort to eradicate cfs. Prior to the treatment, an The collective and persistent Secondary Story Headline the population of sunfish isolated in impermeable turbidity curtain was efforts of multiple agencies and a large backwater three miles established on the downstream end hardworking biologists made this downstreamThis story of Glen can fit Canyon 75-125 words. Dam, of Examples the treatment of possible area headlines to isolate the treatment a success, and removed a known as the Slough. include Product Wins Industry Your headline is an important lower Slough from the main river major threat to the downstream Following two removals in August, channel.Award, StableNew Product discharges Can Save from Glen native fish communities in the part of the newsletter and You Time!, Membership Drive it was should evident be considered that mechanical carefully. Canyon Dam were implemented Colorado River mainstem and Little removal was not a feasible option, throughExceeds cooperation Goals, and New with Office Bureau of Colorado River. triggeringIn thea few need words, for it should a piscicide accu- ReclamationOpens Near You. and Western Area - Mike Anderson, treatment.rately Cooperating represent the contents agencies of Power Administration, which were a Native Trout and Chub Coordinator held a meetingthe story in and early draw October readers 2015 into key aspect of a successful treatment. to discussthe story. the Develop steps the needed headline to Had stable flows not been provided, completebefore a rotenone you write and the potassiumstory. This there would have been nearly way, the headline will help you permanganate application in the constant fluctuation in the lower Slough, keep including the story focused. environmental Slough, making it impossible to compliance, the Department’s achieve the target concentration of Above: FWS biologist Shaula Hedwall applying Rotenone with a backpack sprayer in the th piscicide treatment planning and rotenone. On November 4 , the Slough. approval process, Tribal consultation, treatment was started, and on Volume 2 | Issue 1 | April 2016 | Page 2
#TRENDINGNOW Volume 2 │ Issue 3 │ November 2015 Native and Wild Trout Conference Coming Soon On April 21st, 2016, the Arizona and New Mexico. More the upcoming meeting will include Department and the Trout Unlimited recently, the workshop has included long term management plans for Arizona State Council will be co- discussion regarding improvement cold-water fisheries in Arizona, status hosting the 7th Annual Native and and status of both native trout and of native trout species in Arizona and Wild Trout Conference. The all-day wild populations of nonnative trout. New Mexico, and development of In the Field workshop will be held at the Broadly, the hope is that this partnerships to accomplish Arizona Game and Department’s Headquarters in workshop is the impetus behind a conservation projects aimed at Phoenix starting at 9:00 a.m. strong conservation discussion, with increasing the resilience of native Fish RecentDepartment & Upcoming AZGFD -led Activities Around the State Topics discussed in the first few many of the projects and topics and wild trout streams in the 5000 W. Carefree Hwy years focused largely on recovery covered impacting multiple species, southwest. Phoenix, AZ 85086 actions associated with Apache, Gila, both aquatic and terrestrial. -Mike Anderson, Phone: 602-942-3000 and Rio Grande Cutthroat trout in Tentative topics to be discussed at Native Trout and Chub Coordinator Region I Pinetop: www.azgfd.gov• • Region VI Mesa: • • Region II Flagstaff: • •
Region III Kingman: • •
Region IV Yuma:
• Above: Photo of Native and Wild Trout Conference participants 2015. •
Region V Tucson: Potential Stocking Sites for Gila Topminnow and Gila Chub • • The Department employs many organizations and private individuals strategies to conserve native fish, who spend extensive time in the one of the most important of which field. After the initial discovery of is stocking fish into suitable streams perennial water, Department within their historic range. The biologists use historical records, process is sometimes lengthy but location, gradient, and elevation when new populations are data to determine which species established, the wait is worth it. may be best suited for these locations. Then Standardized habitat Above: CAP Coordinator Kent Mosher stands Many potential stocking sites are near potential barrier in Tortilla Creek. identified by wildlife managers, assessments are conducted within support the stocking of Gila Chub federal land management the stream including macrohabitat, into Grapevine Canyon and Sheep employees, non-governmental substrate composition, vegetation types, and embeddeness. Fish Creek. surveys are also conducted to These streams and many others identify the current fish community. present exciting opportunities for This spring the Gila River Basin native fish in our state, and bring us Caption describing picture Monitoring Program investigated La one step closer to recovery. Barge Canyon, Grapevine Canyon, or graphic. -Tiffany Love-Chezem, Tortilla Creek, Charlebois Spring, and CAP Fish Biologist Sheep Creek. All of these sites were deemed suitable for Gila
Above: Spikedace stocked into Spring Creek in Topminnow, and additional 2015 . evaluations during dry months may Volume 2 | Issue 1 | April 2016 | Page 3 IN THE FIELD Recent & Upcoming AZGFD-led Activities around the State
Region I Pinetop: May 23-25: North Canyon Apache Trout June 1-2: Redfield Canyon nonnative fish April 25: Dix Creek native fish survey survey removal April 26-27: San Francisco River fish survey June 6-8: East Clear Creek survey and May 31-June 2: Romero Canyon fish survey May 9-12: Upper Blue River, Campbell Blue Roundtail Chub broodstock collection June 6: Sabino Canyon Gila Topminnow Pace creeks native fish survey June 14-17: Barbershop Canyon survey and survey May 31-June 2: West Fork Black River habitat assessment June 7-9: Muleshoe CMA native fish survey Piscicide treatment planning June 20-24 & 27-31: Willow and Clover June 14-16: Aravaipa Rim sites Gila June 20-21: Blue River piscivore removal creeks chub survey Topminnow surveys June 22 – 24: Blue River Narrow-headed Region III Kingman: Region VI Mesa: Gartersnake survey April 4- 7: Santa Maria Northern Mexican April 4: Coon Creek habitat assessment Region II Flagstaff: Gartersnake tissue collection April 8: Horseshoe Ranch Gila Topminnow April 5: Walker Creek native fish survey April 26-28: Date Creek Northern Mexican stocking Gartersnake surveys April 5-6: East Clear Creek Roundtail Chub April 25: Cherry Creek private pond habitat broodstock collection May 10-12: Ash Creek and McGee Creek assessment native fish surveys April 5-21: Colorado River, Grand Canyon fish May 4-5: Ash Creek Roundtail Chub and survey May 16-17: Stillman Lake fish survey native fish survey April 18-20: Oak Creek post-fire fish survey May 23-24: Meath Wash fish survey May 4-5: Tonto and Gun Creek native fish April 25-29: East Clear Creek and Leonard June 7-10: Smith and Cottonwood canyons survey Canyon fish surveys fish survey May 9-13: East Verde River and tributaries April 19-29: Little Colorado River native fish June 13: Dunton Ranch native fish survey Headwater Chub survey survey and tagging June 21-23: Verde River fish survey May 16-18, June 6-9: Chase Creek trout removals May 5-9: Kehl Canyon nonnative trout Region V Tucson: removal and Bluehead Sucker introduction May 23-25: Upper Gun Creek habitat April 11-13, June 13-16: Marijilda Creek trout assessment May 10-13: Fossil Creek fish survey removals May 23-25: Tonto Creek native fish survey May 16-17: Wet Beaver Creek native fish April 15-20: Santa Cruz River Northern June 8: Indian and Sycamore creeks Gila survey Mexican Gartersnake survey Topminnow stocking May 18-June 3: Colorado River, Grand May 28-June 4: Santa Cruz River Northern June 27-29: Rock and Spring creeks native Canyon fish survey Mexican Gartersnake survey fish survey The Use of Snorkeling as a Method to Evaluate Conservation Actions
Snorkeling is an extremely versatile and The 2012 rotenone treatment of Fossil often overlooked tool for evaluating Creek is a recent example of how snorkeling conservation actions that benefit native fish was used by the Department to map the species. Proper implementation of snorkeling geographic distribution of nonnative can allow biologists to monitor fish Smallmouth Bass that had moved above a populations, document spawning and failed manmade barrier. Snorkeling allowed recruitment, map geographic distribution, biologists to identify where to target assess species composition, and aid in the mechanical removal efforts, where to detection and facilitate the removal of construct a temporary barrier to contain the Above: Gila Topminnow seen while snorkeling in Fossil nonnative fishes. Smallmouth Bass, and was used as a Creek. mechanical removal tool in concert with spear- a temporary barrier to contain the nonnative gunning. fish, and where to concentrate mechanical removal efforts. This in turn reduced the time, After the temporary barrier was number of staff needed, and overall cost of constructed, a rotenone treatment was then the treatment. Snorkeling is currently being conducted to remove Smallmouth Bass used by the Department as a part of post between two fish barriers. The flexibility of treatment monitoring in Fossil Creek to snorkeling allowed biologists to greatly reduce document native fish recovery and any the length of stream that needed to be treated reoccurrence nonnative fishes. with rotenone by identifying the locations of Above: Spear-gun snorkel surveys for Smallmouth Bass in nonnative fish along the creek, where to place -Matt Rinker, Region II Aquatic Specialist Fossil Creek. Volume 2 | Issue 1 | April 2016 | Page 4
BACK AT THE PONDS Volume 2 │ Issue 3 │ November 2015 Northern Mexican Gartersnake Microhabitat and Movement In May 2015, Arizona State breeding season, some nocturnal University, in cooperation with the activity, and the ability to climb trees. Department and Northern Arizona It’s never a dull moment on this University, began a study to assess project! microhabitat use and movements of Many thanks to everyone who Northern Mexican Gartersnakes, has provided assistance! Funding was listed as threatened in 2014, at Arizona Game and generously provided by the Bubbling Ponds Hatchery. Because Department and the Heritage Fund. Fish Department the hatchery supports a relatively dense population, resource -Tiffany Sprague, Graduate Research Tech, 5000 W. Carefree Hwy managers haveThis wouldexpressed be a interest good place in to insert a short paragraph about your organization. It might Arizona State University Phoenix, AZ 85086 Above: Tiffany Sprague performs radio using it as include a model the when purpose restoring of the organization, its mission, founding date, and a brief history. You and creating habitat for gartersnake telemetry at Bubbling Ponds Hatchery. . Phone: 602-942-3000 could also include a brief list of the types of products, services, or programs your organi- conservation. This study will help available habitat. Preliminary findings
managers understandzation offers, what the geographic macro- show area that, covered during (for their example, active westernseason, U.S. or European mar- www.azgfd.gov habitat characteristics gartersnakes these snakes select areas with a high kets), and a profile of the types of customers or members served. use, as well as their distribution. amount of cover and vegetation that are close to, but not necessarily in, TransmittersIt would have also been be useful deployed to include a contact name for readers who want more information water. From mid-October through on 33 individual gartersnakes, and about the organization. February, the snakes occupy movements are tracked weekly. hibernacula farther away from the Vegetative and environmental ponds. characteristics are measured at We have also documented locations where snakes are found exciting and previously undescribed and at paired random locations to Above: Neonate Northern Mexican Gartersnake behaviors of the species, including found during surveys. allow comparison between used and evidence of communal nature, Santa Cruz River Northern Mexican Gartersnake Surveys
The Department has investigated individual snakes in the Santa Cruz the upper population of Northern River to date. Mexican Gartersnake in the Santa Recent genetic work has Cruz River in the San Rafael Valley on determined that Mexican the US/Mexico border the last four Gartersnakes collected from Las years to determine if the population Cienegas National Conservation Area, could serve as a potential source for and currently maintained at a captive translocations elsewhere within the breeding facility at the Arizona region. The Santa Cruz River appears Above: Northern Mexican Gartersnake habitat Sonoran Desert Museum, could serve in Santa Cruz River. to support one of best populations of as a source population for Mexican Gartersnakes in the state. focus to research. Therefore, we will introductions throughout the San be increasing our sampling effort this The Department has marked 120 Rafael Valley, Patagonia, and year in hopes of having enough snake Huachuca Mountains. Gartersnakes captures and recaptures to from the Desert Museum are investigate population level trends. These data are important for reproducing annually and producing a predictable supply of juveniles conservation, research, and For more information aboutready forany release of these into thearticles, wild. visit www.azgfd.govmanagement decisions range wide. -Taylor Cotten, With the Desert Museum now a Gartersnake Coordinator Arizona Game andviable Fish option Department for gartersnake Mission To conserve Arizona’s diversereleases inwildlife the region, resources the Santa andCruz manage for safe, com- Above: Northern Mexican Gartersnake captured River gartersnake project can shift its during 2015patible surveys. outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations.
For moreThe information Arizona Game about and Fish any Department of these prohibitsarticles, discrimination visit www.azgfd.gov on the basis or eof- mailrace, [email protected], sex, national origin, Arizonaage, Game disability and in itsFish programs Department and activities. Mission If anyone believes they have been discriminated against in any AGFD program or activity, including its employment practices, the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimination To conserve Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities directly with the AGFD Director’s Office, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix., AZ 85086, (602) 942-3000 or U.S. for current and future generations. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr., Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. If you require this document in an The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability in its programs and activities. alternativeIf anyone believes format, they please have beencontact discriminated the AGFD against Director’s in any OfficeAGFD program as listed or activity, above orincluding by calling its employmentTTY at 1-800 pr-actices,367-8939. the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimination directly with the AGFD Director’s Office, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix.,AZ 85086, (602) 942-3000 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr., Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. If you require this document in an alternative format, please contact the AGFD Director’s Office as listed above or by calling TTY at 1-800-367-8939.