Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

West Fork Black River (Upper Black River) COA

The West Fork Black River and associated tributaries will be managed primarily as an Apache trout recovery stream following an anticipated chemical renovation upstream of a USBR fish movement barrier just upstream of the East Fork confluence. Secondary management emphasis will focus on re-establishing populations of self-sustaining native speckled dace, desert sucker, Sonora sucker, and roundtail chub. It will also be the site of loach minnow re-introductions and management objectives in the portion downstream of West Fork Campground. There is intent to establish a wild self-sustaining cold-water sport fishery for Apache trout once the species is re-established. There are currently brown trout present up to the upstream barriers, and brook trout are present upstream of these upper barriers near Thompson Ranch into the headwaters.

Watershed

Salt River

Map

Conservation Potential

High

Management Priority

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

Primary Strategy Species

Fish

Apache Trout

Secondary Strategy Species

Fish

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