San Francisco River AZ-NM Border to Gila Confluence (Mule Creek and Chase Creek-San Francisco River) COA

The San Francisco River between the New Mexico border and the Gila River confluence provides angling opportunities to the cities of Safford, Clifton, and Morenci, and other nearby communities. This section of the river also contains critical habitat for the endangered spikedace and loach minnow, and a mix of other native fishes, but there are no barriers to prevent upstream or downstream movement of non-native fishes into this section of the river. Given this mix, the Department plans to allow for continued sport fishing, but does not plan to stock nonnative sport fish.

Watershed

Upper Gila River

Map

Conservation Potential

Low

Management Priority

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

Primary Strategy Species

Fish

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

Secondary Strategy Species