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The Status of the Fish Fauna of the Lake Mead National Recreational Area, Arizona‐Nevada
Author(s) -
Wallis Orthello L.
Publication year - 1951
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1950)80[84:tsotff]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - fauna , fishery , introduced species , stocking , rainbow trout , bass (fish) , forage fish , alien , ecology , geography , recreation , trout , fishing , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , population , demography , sociology , census
The Colorado River flows for nearly 225 miles through the Lake Mead National Recreational Area, Arizona‐Nevada. Its character has been controlled and changed as the result of construction of Hoover and Davis Dams. The composition of the fish fauna has changed, also. There are now known from the area 3 native and 11 exotic species. Six additional fishes native to the Colorado River Basin and two other alien forms may occur. Competition with the exotic species and changes in ecological conditions of the river have apparently brought about decline in the numbers of native fishes. This peculiar fauna, so poorly known at present, should be the object of more scientific investigation and survey before it becomes extinct or its composition is further altered. Introduced species have increased since the building of Hoover Dam. The largemouth black bass is the most important game species in Lake Mead and the rainbow trout is the leading sport fish in Lake Mohave. It is probably unnecessary to have a closed fishing season because the exotic game fishes are so firmly established. Introduction of additional alien species is not recommended. Further stocking of the largemouth black bass or forage fishes in Lake Mead is discouraged, although continued planting of rainbow trout below. Hoover Dam is necessary to meet anglersˈ demands. Further investigation of the sport fishery in Lake Mead National Recreational Area is desirable.