Apache ( apache)

Data: Apache Trout Recovery Plan, Second Revision – 2009; NFWF Apache Trout Business Plan Partners: Game and Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Trout Unlimited, White Mountain Apache Tribe, San Carlos Apache Tribe, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

PHOTO CREDIT: ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT. ii | Western Native Trout Status Report - Updated February 2016

Apache Trout AGFD by imposing and enforcing restrictive regulations via Arizona Re- Status Review vised Statute (A.R.S.) Title 17. Similar restrictions have been developed and The Apache Trout was first listed as an -En enforced by WMAT Wildlife and dangered Species on March 11, 1967 (32 FR Outdoor Recreation Division for FAIR 4001). It was downlisted to threatened in streams, including maintaining angling July 1975 (40 FR 29863, Final Special Rule, and access closures at relict popula- 17.44(a)) based on recovery actions and a re- tions. analysis of data. The down-listing allowed state, tribal, and federal agencies and partners to con- • AGFD and WMAT have established duct management actions under the Recovery several Apache Trout sport fisheries in Plan, regulate take of the species, and establish streams and reservoirs using hatchery- sport fishing opportunities. The Recovery Plan reared fish (from State and Federal was completed in 1979, revised in 1983 and hatcheries) and angling regulations 2009. that are enforced; these fisheries do not count toward recovery. Apache Trout Apache Trout Distribution Sportfishing Status Historically, Apache Trout occupied streams In 1975, Apache Trout was one of the first and rivers in the upper White, Black, and Little species to be downlisted from endangered to Colorado River drainages in the White Moun- threatened. The downlisting with a 4(d) rule al- tains of east-central Arizona. Currently, 27 lows the Arizona Game and Fish Department pure (non-hybridized) Apache Trout popula- (AGFD) and the White Mountain Apache tions exist within their historical range in Gila, Tribe (WMAT) (on FAIR lands) to selectively Apache, and Greenlee counties of Arizona, on establish sport fishing opportunities and regu- lands of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation late methods of take (via angling), possession (FAIR) and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest limits, seasons, and close specific areas to fish- (ASNF). ing. (To prevent over-utilization, the following steps have been taken: • Streams on FAIR that contain relict lineages of Apache Trout have been closed to fishing since 1955. • Angling opportunities, methods of take, and harvest of Apache Trout on USFS streams has been addressed by APACHE TROUT (Oncorhynchus apache) | iii

Range of the Apache Trout creeks in 1996. Grant Creek in the Pinaleño Mountains also has a replicated pure popula-

tion of Apache Trout which were stocked in the late 1960s. Apache Trout Habitat Requirements In-formation concerning specific stream habi- tat requirements for all life stages of Apache Trout is limited. Apache Trout evolved in streams primarily above 1,800 m elevation, within mixed and ponderosa pine forests. Apache Trout generally require water temperatures below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) with adequate stream flow and shading to minimize lethal temperatures and maintain pools that provide refuge during periods of drought and temperature extremes. Apache Trout require clean coarse gravel substrates for spawning and prefer cover in the form of woody debris, pools, rocks/boulders, undercut BCT Range and GMUs stream-banks, or overhanging vegetation at stream margins. In addition to suitable water temperatures and available cover, protected Thirteen natural populations occur on the streams (or portions thereof) must have condi- FAIR, three reestablished populations occur on tions favorable to persistence of Apache Trout, the FAIR, nine reestablished populations occur including minimization or elimination of in the ASNF, and two reestablished popula- threats from competitive or brook tions occur in streams on both the FAIR and trout and elimination of interbreeding rainbow ASNF. Two streams outside of historical range or . have pure replicate populations, North Canyon Creek (Ord Creek stock) and Grant Creek. North Canyon Creek received Ord Creek stock in the early 1960s. The natural population in Ord Creek was compromised by and was renovated and replaced with replicated Ord Creek stock from Coyote (ASNF) and North Canyon (North Kaibab National Forest) iv | Western Native Trout Status Report - Updated February 2016

Concerns and Issues Relative Introduced Species Concerns to the Conservation and Im- Non-native salmonids, such as , Cutthroat Trout, Brown Trout, and provement of Apache Trout Brook Trout, were introduced throughout the range of Apache Trout for recreational fish- The main factors in the decline of distribution ing. Introduction of these species has resulted and abundance have been habitat degradation in competition for resources or habitats, direct from human activities and associated water predation, and hybridization (with Rainbow withdrawal, competition and predation from and Cutthroat trout). Brown and Brook trout non-native trout species, hybridization with are predators to Apache Trout, as well as com- introduced rainbow and cutthroat trout, and petitors for food and space. Such competition population impacts due to drought and loss of has been identified as a cause of the decline of water. Aquatic invasive species, disease, increas- Apache Trout. ing water temperatures, and the effects of large catastrophic wildfires are potential new con- Aquatic Invasive Species Threats cerns for Apache Trout. Disease has not been considered a factor in the Habitat Concerns decline of Apache Trout and was not identi- Apache Trout distribution and population leels fied as such at the time of listing. However, the decreased primarily because of habitat altera- closely related has tested positive tions and negative interactions with non-native for the antigens for Bacterial Kidney Dis- salmonids. Land-use practices, including ease (BKD) in low amounts in populations logging, livestock grazing, reservoir construc- of the upper West Fork Gila River, including tion, agriculture, and road construction caused Whiskey Creek (USFWS 2003). There is no damage to Apache Trout habitat (USFWS evidence of the carrier in Apache Trout popula- 2009). Effects were multi-faceted and included: tions. changes to riparian corridors (vegetation) and Whirling disease is not known to be pres- streambank morphology; increased erosion po- ent in any wild or hatchery population of tential and greater susceptibility of streams to Apache Trout. However, preliminary results damage from floods (particularly high intensity, from controlled laboratory testing confirmed short duration events); reduced quantity and that Apache Trout (and Gila Trout) are highly quality of spawning and rearing areas; altered vulnerable to whirling disease ( Jim Thompson, stream flow volume and temperature; and neg- former USFWS Fish Health Specialist, per- ative influences to stream productivity and food sonal communication). Wild fish health surveys supply (e.g., stream dwelling ). Threats are being conducted on Apache Trout recovery vary in intensity, complexity, and damage de- populations, donor populations, and State and pending on location, but ultimately reduce the Federal hatchery facilities. To date, disease does ability of Apache Trout to effectively persist at not seem to be a significant threat to Apache all life stages throughout its historical range. Trout. APACHE TROUT (Oncorhynchus apache) | v

Genetic Concerns 3) provide habitat protection through imple- mentation of land management practices, Continued monitoring of the pure Apache habitat improvement programs, acquisitions, Trout populations is necessary to protect the and barrier construction and maintenance; genetic purity of restored populations in recov- ery waters. The inadvertent stocking or use of 4) provide adequate enforcement of all federal, introgressed fish for restoration purposes would state, and tribal laws and regulations to ensure compromise the recovery effort. protection of Apache Trout; 5) develop public support of the Apache Trout Over-utilization Concerns program through an information and education campaign; and Although not identified as a reason that led to listing in 1969, unregulated harvest of Apache 6) work with the National Fish and Wild- Trout was another factor that contributed life Foundation (NFWF) to implement their to the species decline from the late 1800s to Apache Trout Business Plan. 1950s. Angling opportunities, methods of take, Proposed actions to protect and secure long- and harvest of Apache Trout on USFS streams term population viability include: have been addressed by AGFD through the imposition and enforcing of restrictive regula- • Population manipulations, such as sur- tions. Similar restrictions have been developed veys, genetic analyses, non-native fish and enforced by WMAT for FAIR streams. removal, use of hatchery reared fish, AGFD and USFWS monitor and manage and salvage/refugia plans in emergen- collection permits so that damage to popula- cies; tions from scientific collection is prevented or • Reestablishment of populations with minimized. genetically appropriate fish; • Habitat manipulations (placing fish Opportunities to Improve the barriers, improving riparian zones, securing water); Status of Apache Trout • Maintenance of appropriate fishing The management objectives to protect and regulations and property closures; restore the Apache Trout include: • Continue to exclude stocking of non- 1) establishment and maintenance of 30 self- native within the same drainage sustaining discrete populations of pure Apache as endemic or replicate Apache Trout Trout throughout its historic range; populations; 2) survey and manage pure Apache Trout • Protection of Apache Trout popula- populations presently existing in waters outside tions from over-utilization and disease; the historic range; • Development and implementation of BMPs, FMPs, and AMPs to enhance vi | Western Native Trout Status Report - Updated February 2016

habitat restoration in livestock/elk use and intensive recreation, should be managed areas; and to maintain healthy riparian corridors that promote sufficient habitat conditions for all • Creation of an inter-connected meta- Apache Trout life functions. Occupied streams population of Apache Trout that will that have unstable or declining conditions better withstand stochastic events. should be the focus of remedial actions. Rou- tine monitoring should be used to assess stream Population manipulations conditions. The recovery strategy for Apache Trout is Key actions include: to establish and maintain 30 self-sustaining • Identifying and baseline existing populations. A population will be considered habitat conditions using a standard established when it is self-sustaining, capable protocol. of persisting under the range of variation in habitat conditions that occur in the restoration • Complete habitat improvement or stream, and when the population is protected protection on a priority basis. from immigration of non-native trout. • Develop BMPs, AMPs or FPs for Key actions include: grazing control in the Apache Trout drainages to reduce land use impacts. • Survey and manage Apache Trout pop- ulations presently existing in waters. • Manage human impacts through ap- propriate regulations and control of • Reestablish populations with ge- public access. netically appropriate fish in renovated streams. Protect Apache Trout in non-his- • Finalize Apache Trout broodstock torical habitats management plan. • Prevent reinvasion of non-natives by To protect against a catastrophic event that maintaining or establishing in-stream could affect isolated Apache Trout populations, barriers as needed. the out-of-basin populations should be main- tained as Apache Trout refugia. Maintenance of Key actions include: • Identify regulatory mechanisms, laws, quality habitat for and policies that are insufficient to ful- fill all recovery objectives and protect Apache Trout Apache Trout. Recovery streams that are subject to multiple • Monitor, prevent, and control disease land-use practices, such as timber harvest or and/or causative agents, parasites, and thinning, prescribed fire, livestock grazing, pathogens. APACHE TROUT (Oncorhynchus apache) | vii

• Implement appropriate laws and regu- 3. Finalize an Apache Trout Conserva- lations to allow Apache Trout popula- tion Strategy MOU between Arizona tions to persist in light of commercial, Game and Fish Commission, U.S. Forest scientific, and recreational uses. Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Assessment of Appropriate Regu- White Mountain Apache Tribe, San latory functions and mechanisms Carlos Apache Tribe, Arizona Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Federation of Fish- The Apache Trout recovery depends, in part, on ers, and Arizona Wildlife Conservation adequate regulatory mechanisms and man- Council based on the completed 2007 agement programs remaining in existence to Revised Recovery Plan and Status review. ensure that all populations of Apache Trout 4. Develop proposed delisting rule and and their habitats are maintained. post-delisting management plan. Key actions include: 5. Complete metapopulation develop- • Monitor the genetic diversity, basic ment, barrier construction and stream population viability standards, and renovations needed to get to 30+ popula- population donor sources for re-intro- tions. ductions. • West Fork • Salvage and provide refugia for Apache • Bonita Creek watershed Trout populations that are threatened by wildfire, drought, barrier failure, or • Bear Wallow Creek (ASNF) other unforeseen events when deemed 6. Reestablish pure Apache Trout in pre- prudent and necessary. pared recovery streams. Highest Priority Strat- • Conklin Creek egies and Actions for • Rudd/Benton Creeks 7. Monitor populations to determine cur- Apache Trout Protec- rent status. tion and De-listing • South Fork LCR – restock after Wallow Fire effects 1. Refurbish existing fish barriers to se- cure long-term viability of Apache Trout • Fish Creek – Install new fish bar- populations. rier and restock after Wallow Fire effects 2. Implement the actions and objectives in the Revised Apache Trout Recovery Plan 8. Monitor and maintain effective barriers and the NFWF Apache Trout Business where needed. Plan. viii | Western Native Trout Status Report - Updated February 2016

On-going partnerships and joint • Habitat restoration. Habitat restoration ventures in meadow reaches of small recovery streams will break “invisible barriers,” 1. Apache Trout Bring Back the Natives encouraging use of this habitat by trout Project: The Apache Trout Recovery Partner- and resulting in increased population ship (FWS, AGFD, Trout Unlimited [TU], sizes. WMAT, and FS) worked with TU national to develop a $271,600 National Fish and Wildlife • Population and habitat assessment and Foundation grant to conduct Apache Trout monitoring. A long-term monitoring restoration, research, and education activities. plan to assess population and habi- Matching funds from the Arizona Heritage tat conditions will be developed and Foundation have added to the effort to restore implemented. depleted and extirpated populations and de- • Barrier maintenance and monitoring. velop robust recreational fisheries. A long-term barrier maintenance and This project has been completed. monitoring plan will be developed to ensure recovery streams are protected 2. NFWF/TU/USFWS Apache Trout Key- now and after delisting. stone Initiative: Four key strategies have been developed for this Keystone Initiative to ad- Key Partners: Arizona Game and Fish De- dress ongoing threats to the sustainability of partment, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Apache Trout. If goals are achieved with this Forest Service, White Mountain Apache Tribe, investment, not only was Apache Trout abun- and Trout Unlimited. dance estimated to increase by an estimated 50 Timing: This project is a 10-year plan to secure percent by 2017, but abundance would con- Apache Trout abundance and habitat. Initiative tinue to increase, without financial investment, funding will continue through 2018. to an estimated 90 percent by 2020. In com- bination, actions guided by the Recovery Plan Estimated Overall Cost of Apache Trout Key- will result in recovery and a possible delisting stone Initiative: $3,979,000. proposal, and the Initiative will implement key actions that could reduce the effects of stochas- tic events, expand and improve habitat, and increase Apache Trout abundance, ultimately ensuring their sustainability. • Metapopulation creation. The creation of three metapopulations will expand and connect isolated recovery streams, making populations less vulnerable to climatic changes, increase population numbers, and help maintain genetic diversity in populations. APACHE TROUT (Oncorhynchus apache) | ix

WNTI Completed or On-going Projects

Bear Wallow Creek Restoration (2007)— $95,200 Conklin Creek Restoration (2008)—$75,000 Stinky Creek Restoration (2008)—$75,000 Bear Wallow Creek Barrier improvement (2009)—$27,500 Wallow Fire Habitat Assessment (2012)— $40,000 References U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Gila Trout Recovery Plan, Third Revision. Albu- querque, New Mexico. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2009. Apache Trout Recovery Plan, Second Revision. Albu- querque, New Mexico.

This publication was funded (or partially funded) by Federal Aid to Sportfish Restora- tion Funds through the Multistate Conser- vation Grant Program (Grant WY M-8-P), a program supported with funds from 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 Agencies, 2008-9.