Eagle Creek - Middle Reach (Lower Eagle Creek) COA

Middle Eagle Creek will be managed primarily for self-sustaining populations of native fish because it contains critical habitat for spikedace and loach minnow. The lowermost section and uppermost section of Middle Eagle Creek does provide limited access to sport fishing opportunities to the cities of Clifton and Morenci. Middle Eagle Creek has a mix of non-native and native species, and non-native fish can enter the section through Willow Creek and the Black River pumping plant. The Department plans to allow for continued sport fishing but does not plan to stock any non-native sportfish into this reach. Middle Eagle Creek will be evaluated to determine management options for native aquatic species and the Department may stock native species such as roundtail chub. About half of Middle Eagle Creek is on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, so the Department will coordinate with the tribe when developing management options.

Watershed

Upper Gila River

Map

Conservation Potential

Low

Management Priority

Native Aquatic Species Management (Native Fish-Self-sustaining)

Primary Strategy Species

Fish

Desert Sucker, Longfin Dace, Roundtail Chub, Sonora Sucker, Speckled Dace

Secondary Strategy Species