Stay up to date on new fishing regulations and future habitat work. Historically, Apache Trout occupied streams and rivers in the upper White, Black, and Little Colorado River drainages in the White Mountains of east-central Arizona. Gila trout are found in moderate to high gradient perennial mountain streams above 5,400 ft elevation with stream temperatures below 77°F. "Some great strides have been made in Gila trout recovery so far," says Eric Gardner, head of the Arizona … After many setbacks--one being a major car accident that had shutdown the freeway, causing. Thanks for the kind words. The Gila trout is one of only two native trout species in Arizona. Historically, this fish was native to the San Francisco, Verde, Gila, and Agua Fria River drainages. The Gila trout was first described as a species in 1950 (Miller 1950) and were native to the upper Gila and Verde watersheds of Arizona and New Mexico, but have declined significantly since the 1800s. Under a new proposal, the fish would be upgraded to "threatened" on the federal government’s list. As I researched Gila trout, online sources seemed contradictory and discouraging. Looks like you and DJ knocked it out of the park! Body color is iridescent gold on the sides that blend to a darker shade of copper on the gill plates. Spots on the body are small and profuse, generally occurring above the lateral line and extending onto the head, dorsal fin, and caudal fin. By the time the species was formerly described in 1950 its distribution had been dramatically reduced to as few as 20 stream miles [1]. The Gila trout is found historically in the Verde and Agua Fria drainages in Arizona. However, Gila trout in the East Verde River, Frye Mesa Reservoir, Watson Lake, Lynx Lake, and Goldwater Lake can be angled. Almost as rare as a Gila Trout are the streams of that size that hold trout (of any species) of the dimensions pictured. (U.S. I’ve added your link to my blog list. However, by the 1950s none were left in Arizona. I am planning on making my first trip down there this weekend. The extent of the historical distribution of the Gila Trout is not known with certainty. We fell on the slippery rocks and bushwhacked through the dense undergrowth to cast our lines for this rare Southwestern trout. “This release is a large step forward in conserving Gila trout,” said Andy Dean, lead Gila trout biologist with the service’s New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in … Photos by Tyler Coleman Here are a few pictures from our trip spent chasing native wild trout in a remote creek in Arizona. Excellent report and fish Ben! The Gila trout is one of Arizona’s two threatened native trout species and is also found in New Mexico. The Gila Trout requirement for the Wild Trout Challenge is currently suspended. The best part about fishing for Gila trout is that they aren't too difficult to catch. Natural fish barriers prevented Gila trout from entering the upper Tonto Creek drainage (AZ). A real treasure and so much to be thankful for. Couldn’t agree more Phil. Thanks Simon. They require clean gravel substrates for spawning, adequate stream flow to maintain water depth and cool temperatures, and sufficient pool density and habitat that provides refuge during periods of drought or warm temperatures. Wow, Ben, thanks for the great pictures of those beautiful trout. Beautiful trout and of an amazing size. Spots on the body are small and profuse, generally occurring above the lateral line and extending onto the head, dorsal fin, and caudal fin. Love that species of trout. Nonindigenous Occurrences: Gila Trout have been reported in the Lower Colorado, Upper Gila-San Carlos Reservoir, Willcox Playa, Middle Little Colorado, Lower Colorado-Marble Canyon, Tonto, Lower San Pedro, Little Colorado, and Upper Little Colorado drainages in Arizona. One of these days I hope to make to that creek to check it out. Great work, Ben! Next time you’re out this way let me know and we’ll get out. It's possible to catch Gila trout and their eastern Arizona cousins, the Apache trout, in two or three days of fishing. Arizona Gila Trout The yellow Gila trout tucked away from humanity in a tiny trickle of water greedily ate our flies and made us forget about the thorns and brush that tore at our clothing. I am pretty sure I will never see one of those in the wild. . Great looking blog by the way. and it was a bit surreal to hold a fish that has been on the brink of extinction for so long. A major step was taken Monday when AZGFD, U.S. Native trout, because they’ve been pushed into the recesses of their former ranges, are special creatures in a world where better is often measured by bigger. The New Mexico state record Gila trout is 4 pounds, 8 ounces. Right on Max. But, I don’t think that I want to try to get into those areas to fish for it! Beautiful fish… I’ve spent a lot of time in that canyon. Fly-fishers can catch Gila trout without consulting hatch charts and without technical rigs or special flies. Unfortunately, no populations are currently open to angling. Lol. The Gila trout is one of the toughest "life list" trout species to find. The Gila trout took well to the area, and in February 2011 the first-ever open season of Gila trout in Arizona was approved for the Frye Mesa Reservoir. I have a bunch of your mini hoppers to try out. Take care. Altogether, such efforts have helped to fortify five remnant, genetically distinct lineages of Gila trout populations in 17 streams in New Mexico and five in Arizona; these lineages have evolved to accumulate variations in their genomes that, collectively, help the species as a whole. I used a small simi seal bugger variation that I tied up specifically for the trip. Good luck if you head down there. By the way, you didn’t happen to find a trekking pole up there did you? Sign up to receive email updates from Arizona Wanderings, Tags: Arizona Fishing Blog, Arizona Fly Fishing, Arizona fly Fishing Blog, Arizona Gila Trout, Arizona Wanderings, AZ Wanderings, AZWanderings, Fly Fishing Arizona, Gila Trout, Small Stream. Glad to know it is an attainable goal. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993).. Their iridescent gold sides blend to a darker shade of copper on the gill covers. Of course, Worsham’s fish is heavier than both. The Gila trout is one of Arizona’s two threatened native trout species and is also found in New Mexico. Gila trout are generally sexually mature by age 3 and their life expectancy may range between 4-6 years. Great photos. Thanks to the work of Trout Unlimited and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, there is now a wild fishable population of Gila trout back in Arizona, and efforts continue to be made to stock Gila trout back in their native drainage. The native trout of Arizona have had a rough history with both the Gila and Apache originally listed as endangered, but since have been downlisted due to successful culturing in captivity, greater knowledge of existing populations, and active management and conservation. Graham area. See you on the trail! The yellow Gila trout tucked away from humanity in a tiny trickle of water greedily ate our flies and made us forget about the thorns and brush that tore at our clothing. A faint, salmon-pink band is present on adults, particularly during spawning season when the normally white belly may be streaked with yellow or reddish orange. The Gila Trout is one of the rarest trout species in the United States. Angling is currently closed in all recovery streams occupied by Gila trout. Dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins have a white to yellowish tip that may extend along the leading edge of the pelvic fins. Conservation efforts started in the 1990’s to bring this native species from endangered to threatened. It just feels good to know they are there, healthy, and that you were there to make the connection. Thanks for the comment. One of the first North American fish to be actively conserved, there is no doubt that the Gila trout is immensely important to the world of fishing. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Gila trout are being restored to Frye Creek in southeast Arizona. Fishing areas like that is a great time. Gilas are one of two Arizona native trout species. Also, thanks for caring so much about their habitat. Arizona Ecological Services Field Office < October 2006 : 15 Kb : Federal Register Notice: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) From Endangered to Threatened; Special Rule for Gila Trout in New Mexico and Arizona: U.S. Simi’s? One-thousand are scheduled to be stocked into the West Fork of Oak Creek in late October. The Department maintains an active Gila trout recovery and management program to increase their existence in Arizona within their historical range. I let the organization keep the bid as a donation but canceled the trip. The Gila Trout is one of Arizona’s two native trout species. The same techniques used to catch rainbow trout work very well for Gila trout. Most beautiful gila I’ve ever seen! The Gila Trout looks similar to an Apache Trout with smaller spots and a more brown that yellow base color. There are also opportunities in New Mexico to catch Gila trout during a limited angling season with catch-and-release only regulations. Body color is iridescent gold on the sides that blend to a darker shade of copper on the gill plates. I found the fish to not be that picky though. Parr marks are commonly retained by adults, although they may be faint or absent. The habitat didn’t allow for much in the way of casting, but bow-and-arrow casting small streamers seemed to do the trick. Glad you made it out there. That is a trout I hope to pursue someday. Photo by Christ Hunt, Trout Unlimited Although one does not usually associate trout with the Sonoran Desert environment of Arizona and New Mexico, the Gila trout—as well as its close relative, the Apache trout—has survived in. Gila trout typically spawn in early spring, when water temperature is rising and runoff flows are declining. Like the Apache trout, some Gila trout may display “bandit” like horizontal bars across their irises. Gila trout have been described as “taking their colors from the New Mexican sunset”, an apt description. Hoping to cross the Gila off the list. Thanks Max. It’s so easy to feel like your the only one who goes there. I look forward to following along. The Gila River is home to what now is the protected Gila Trout. Thanks, Ben– after years of people saying “you should have a blog,” reading yours was what inspired me to go for it. and it was a bit surreal to hold a fish that has been on the brink of extinction for so long. Streams in this watershed harbor one of five known relict genetic lineages of Gila trout, which live only in New Mexico and Arizona. It is some serious country for sure. The Gila trout is native to tributaries of the Gila River in Arizona and New Mexico. Native to the Gila River drainage in Arizona and New Mexico, Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) are one of Arizona’s two native trout species. WE ARE LOCATED AT ABOUT 5000 FOOT ELEVATION IN NORTH EAST ARIZONA, WITH LOCAL ACCESS TO ABOUT 15 TROUT STREAMS IN OUR IMMEDIATE AREA. We fell on the slippery rocks and bushwhacked through the dense undergrowth to cast our lines for this rare Southwestern trout. You could get into some serious back country adventures along that creek! Fish and Wildlife Service: July 18, 2006 : 125 Kb Currently, all Gila trout recovery streams in Arizona are closed to angling. Written by: Tyler Coleman Wild Gila trout are among the rarest trout in the U.S., found only in Arizona and New Mexico. Biologists have spent decades trying to bring them back. Awesome fish and pictures. As Gila trout recovery streams are established and meet necessary population criteria to withstand limited angling use, they may be opened to angling for the public in the future. One major cause of Gila Trout population decline was (and still … Fish and Wildlife Service and volunteers from Trout Unlimited and the University of Arizona backpacked 250 Gila trout into Frye Creek. Altogether, the Gila traces a path that begins in the Black Range of New Mexico and flows across the breadth of Arizona before joining the Colorado River near Yuma. Gila trout have persisted in five streams within the Gila National Forest, New Mexico, including: Iron, McKenna, and Spruce creeks in the Gila Wilderness Area, along with Main and South Diamond creeks in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Area. Great fish Ben! OUR CHAPTER WAS STARTED IN 2009 AND HAS ABOUT 55 MEMBERS AT PRESENT. Gila Trout are also native to Arizona and listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Those look like a great option for getting down in those plunge pools. It’s crazy to see it on the internet like that. Drought, overfishing, overgrazing, wildfires, and the undertow of history have taken their toll on Gila trout. Introducing Gila trout to the East Verde River is a real treat for anglers thanks to a great deal of work by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and local conservation organizations. So, I am grateful for you sharing your experience. . Thanks Emily. If you look carefully you’ll see a couple of your quail hats floating around in there…. After five months of working closely with Mora National Fish Hatchery staff and learning how to raise Gila Trout, Sterling Springs Hatchery has three raceways of happy, healthy, native Gila Trout that will be stocked into Arizona waters. The Gila trout has been listed as endangered since 1967.Gila trout were originally native to the upper Verde, Agua Fria and San Francisco river drainages in Arizona. The Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae gilae) had an historic range that included the headwaters of the Gila River drainage in New Mexico, the Gila River, and possibly the San Francisco Drainage, and the Verde and Agua Fria drainages of Arizona [1]. Gila trout are also stocked into the East Verde River, Frye Mesa Reservoir, Watson Lake, Lynx Lake, and Goldwater Lake for non-recovery purposes to maintain sport fisheries. Here are some of the common fish found in the Gila River, Largemouth bass, Sunfishes, Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, Gila trout. They are opportunistic feeders, mainly feeding on aquatic and terrestrial insects and invertebrates. . Thanks David. Gila trout are capable of hybridizing with rainbow trout which has greatly reduced the range of pure populations of Gila trout and continues to be one of the largest threats to Gila trout. WELCOME TO THE HOME PAGE OF GILA TROUT CHAPTER # 530 OF TROUT UNLIMITED, LOCATED IN PAYSON, ARIZONA. They are easily caught fishing nymphs, wet or dry flies, and they will also take small spoons and spinners. Thanks, Ben! The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is stocking Gila trout in the East Verde River every week throughout the summer. That's certainly true in much of the Gila, where smallmouth bass and opportunistic browns now dominate the main stem of the Gila River. Looks awesome! That’s certainly true in much of the Gila, where smallmouth bass and opportunistic browns now dominate the main stem of the Gila River. . OUR VISION AND GOALS … Small, profuse spots cover the upper half of the body and a faint, salmon-pink band is present on adults, particularly during spawning season. Gila trout, one of two trout species native to Arizona, are being restored to the Mt. While Gila trout in Frye Creek was strictly catch-and-release, the limit for taking the trout out of Frye Mesa Reservoir was one fish per angler. Baldy, the Little Colorado River is characterized by very cold, fast moving waters with interspersed deep … That last one is hands down the best gila trout I have ever seen. It was fun to cross them off the list but a pretty tight stream to fish. This was a spur of the moment decision to go. Though Gila trout are limited to just a few mountain streams in New Mexico and Arizona, they can be found scribbled on the “life lists” of many hopeful fly fishermen. Thanks Pete. What stream? Sorry man, no trekking pole was found. In the mean time, thanks for sharing you trip! “The one stream in Arizona with Gila trout is closed to fishing, due to fires,” he said. The International Game Fish Association All-Tackle World Record Gila trout stands at 3 pounds, 7 ounces and was caught by Bo Nelson in 2011 from Arizona’s Frye Mesa Reservoir. In Arizona, Gila trout are found in six recovery streams spread across the Agua Fria River, Blue River, lower Gila River, and Verde River drainages. Starting in 1999, Gila trout were reintroduced into Dude Creek in the Verde River drainag… Just now saw this, gorgeous fish! Wish I had time to order some of your Frye Creek Special streamers. The Verde River population may have represented an intermediate between the Gila and Apache trout, however this population went extinct by the 1950’s (Miller 1950) and little is known about the original native trout (Behnke 2002). Gila trout are found only in Arizona and New Mexico. 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