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April 27,2025
I keep getting asked about why the fishing is so lousy, so here is a synopsis. Basically we have not had much in the way of recruitment (reproduction) in the last four years. This is coupled with poor water quality in the form of low dissolved oxygen levels and warm temperatures in the summers of 2022 and 2023. These conditions negatively affect trout in various ways, among them an increase n metabolic demand associated with the warmer water. They basically need to eat more when the water is warmer. The problem is that there is no increase in available food. Our fish survived the winter of 2022/2023 but poor condition took its toll during the winter of 2023/2024 and we lost about 35% of our fish. Winter of 2024/2025 was also devastating and April electrofishing data indicating another huge hit to the fishery although the US Geological Survey, those that handle the data, have neglected to make those numbers known to the public. The bottom line is the population of trout in the Lees Ferry reach is as low as it has ever been.
So, what is being done? The Technical Work Group (an entity made up of stakeholders from Arizona Game and Fish to Western Area Power Administration, that makes recommendations to the Adaptive Management Work Group) all within the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program, has formed a Trout Ad Hoc Group to identify problems and possible solutions and make recommendations to the Technical Work Group who can then make suggestions to the Secretary of the Interior for actions to assist in the recovery of the trout fishery. Sounds cumbersome doesn’t it and it is. It becomes more so because there are several agencies, primarily the National Park Service Glen Canyon Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park that are diametrically opposed to any and all actions that would benefit the trout population even though the Lees Ferry trout fishery is goal number 4 of the the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program as outlined by the Grand Canyon Protection Act. This is because NPS will not and cannot manage for a non-native trout fishery within it’s lands. This was not an issue from 1963 (when the dam was finished) until 2015 because NPS acknowledged the Arizona Game and Fish as the management agency for the Lees ferry trout fishery. However, since the population increase of brown trout and warm water non native fish in the Lees Ferry stretch, NPS has dominated fisheries management in the Lees Ferry reach implementing an incentivized harvest on brown trout, increasing electrofishing 10 fold (and its potential impacts on the rainbow trout population) in a hunt for smallmouth bass, channelizing a portion of the river and advocating for bypass releases from Glen Canyon Dam, all while ignoring the declining rainbow trout population and voicing opposition to actions such as nutrient augmentation, stocking and insect reintroduction to help in the recovery of rainbow trout. It is finally being understood that the hair on fire, wholesale war on brown trout and smallmouth bass was undertaken without a full understanding of the threat of these fish on the humpback chub population 300 miles downstream and that this threat was significantly over blown while at the same time humpback chub populations are burgeoning and this native fish has been removed from the endangered species list. The overbearing, heavy handed actions by NPS have basically stiffled all other agencies in the Adaptive Management Program and those that dare to voice concern or skepticism of NPS actions branded heretical.
The good news is that the TAHG was formed and exists as forum to voice support for the fishery, to voice skepticism over NPS management in the Lees Ferry stretch and to hopefully explore and initiate actions to bring the trout fishery back. This is happening. But action is slow. Those concerned about the fishery need to push the TAHG and the real managing agency for the Lees Ferry trout fishery, the Arizona Game and Fish, to go to the mat with the National Park Service and implement actions to save this fishery. These include: 1. Develop emergency stocking guidelines and protocols and lay the framework for such stocking. 2. Develop bypass tube release protocols when water quality (low dissolved oxygen, high temperature or low nutrient levels) warrant such releases for the benefit of the rainbow trout population. 3. Develop an introduction program for insects to diversify the food base in the reach. 4. Implement a spring High Flow Experiment protocol which has shown to possibly increase rainbow trout recruitment. Both TAHG and TWG meetings are open to the public and each allows public comment at the end of each meeting. Expressing concern over the fishery does get noticed.
The next Trout Ad Hoc Group meeting is April 16, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Arizona time. Link is: meet.google.com/tpa-wsnf-kqr
Call in is:
(US) +1 219-281-4647
PIN: 255267378
January 16, 2025 Trout Ad Hoc group meeting synopsis:
The January 16th meeting of the ad hoc group was dedicated to creating a list of problems influencing the condition of the fishery. This is really the first step in the structured decision making process and represents the first bit of head way.
It was a productive meeting, however in my opinion the comments and suggestions ran a bit far afield, with the list topping 30 suggested factors to be possibly addressed. Littering and too many kayakers might influence the individual anglers experience but really have nothing to do with the health of the fishery. Nutrient augmentation, stocking and spring High Flow Experiments are the core issues that could help the fishery rebound. Attendees were all sent lists of the issues and asked to rate them as to importance on a scale of 1-5.
Several anglers outside of the science community attended and commented. So far, these meeting have been an opportunity for anglers to be heard on the issues. I have been and will continue to encourage public attendance and participation.
Next meeting of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Programs Trout Ad Hoc grout is scheduled for February 19, 2-4 pm. Check back on this page for a link to this meeting.