EAST VERDE RIVER

       THE GILA TROUT CHAPTER HAS ADOPTED THE EAST VERDE RIVER AS OUR HOME STREAM. WE HAVE VISIONS OF RETURNING THIS STREAM TO A WILD TROUT FISHERY, WITH GILA TROUT IN THE UPPER HEADWATERS.  WE ALSO PLAN TO IMPROVE THE LOWER SECTION HABITAT TO HOLD MORE RAINBOW TROUT AND HAVE HABITAT THAT WILL PRODUCE A BREEDING POPULATION. BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF THE EAST VERDE RIVER.

HEADWATER SECTION OF EAST  VERDE RIVER

HEADWATER SECTION OF EAST VERDE RIVER

HEADWATER SECTION OF EAST VERDE RIVER

THIS IS WHAT A GILA TROUT LOOKS LIKE. THEY WERE NATIVE TO THE EAST VERDE RIVER WATERSHED, BUT THROUGH GRAZING, WILDFIRES, OVERFISHING, AND CLIMATIC CHANGES THEY HAVE DISAPEARED FROM THE VERDE RIVER. THE GILA TROUT HAS BEEN SUCCESFULLY RESTORED IN NEW MEXICO AND HAVE BEEN DOWNGRADED FROM ENDANGERED TO THREATENED. THEY ARE NOW BEING FISHED IN NEW MEXICO ON A CATCH AND RELEASE BASIS ONLY. OUR VISION IS TO RETURN THE GILA TROUT TO THIS WATERSHED AND EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO FISH FOR THEM IN ARIZONA ALSO.

CLICK ON THE TROUT PHOTO FOR A LINK TO US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GILA TROUT.

MID SECTION OF EAST VERDE RIVER BELOW JUNCTION OF ELLISON CREEK

MID SECTION OF EAST VERDE RIVER