COMMISSION APPROVES GILA TROUT PROJECT

RESERVE – The New Mexico Game Commission approved a proposal to remove non-native fish and replace them with native Gila trout on the West Fork of the Gila River, adopted rules for the upcoming waterfowl and upland game seasons, and heard a status report on the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program at its meeting July 7 in Reserve.

With the Commission’s approval, the Department will move ahead with plans to chemically treat the West Fork of the Gila to remove non-native fish. Native Gila trout will be stocked in the stream sometime this fall. Restoration of Gila trout to more of its historical habitat will contribute to the recovery of the endangered species and its proposed downlisting to “threatened.” Downlisting may open angling opportunities for Gila trout. The proposal has received support from area residents and state anglers, including the New Mexico Council of Trout Unlimited,