Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Blue River (Upper) COA

The upper Blue River will be managed primarily for self-sustaining populations of native fish, and secondarily for a sport fish fishery of Gila trout. Non-native brown trout are present at low densities in the upper portion of the stream and provide fishing opportunities to the local community. However, because loach minnow occupy the river and critical habitat exists for both spikedace and loach minnow, non-native trout will not be stocked in the Blue River and should be mechanically removed when encountered or needed. Other management objectives include evaluating whether Gila trout can be stocked into the upper Blue River near the two campgrounds to create a recreational Gila trout fishery. Roundtail chub may also be stocked to expand the population in the Blue River and to provide for another sportfish species.

Watershed

Upper Gila River

Map

Conservation Potential

High

Management Priority

Native Aquatic Species Management (Native Fish-Self-sustaining); Native Aquatic Species Management (Sport Fish Coldwater-Featured Species)

Primary Strategy Species

Fish

Desert Sucker, Loach Minnow, Longfin Dace, Roundtail Chub, Sonora Sucker, Speckled Dace, Spikedace

Secondary Strategy Species

Fish

Gila Trout, Roundtail Chub