More Opportunity for Rare Apache Trout by Craig Springer, USFWS

There's only one place you can fish for the rare Apache trout -- the high country streams of eastern Arizona.

The tall peaks of the White Mountains capture storms in winter that feed the fine coldwater streams that rim the mountain range. Only mere hours from Phoenix, Albuquerque, and El Paso you can wade a stream or paddle a lake and fish for this rare golden native trout.

Though the Apache trout is considered a federally "threatened" species, many populations of Apache trout are fishable with some harvest allowed. This unique opportunity is due in great part by the work of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Alchesay-Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery, located on the Ft. Apache Indian Reservation.

Recent spawning of Apache trout at the Alchesay-Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery promises to bear fruit for fishermen. Fish biologists spawned over a combined 1,600 males and females to produce 509,000 live eggs. Over 248,000 of those eyed eggs were delivered to Tonto State Fish Hatchery, operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, where they will be grown out and stocked in streams of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This year's spawn will be stocked in spring and summer 2002.

"The spawn was a little better this year than in 2000," said fish biologist Mike Ternes. "That translates to more stockable fish in the future."

The hatchery grows Apache trout up to 14 inches long before releasing them into streams and lakes on the Ft. Apache Indian Reservation, home to the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Biologists expect to stock well over 100,000 Apache trout this summer.

"If fishing for rare and unusual trout is your thing to do, then the Apache trout is your fish," said tribal member and fish biologist, Tim Gatewood. "Apache trout pull people from all around for a unique fishing opportunity."

The Apache trout is a story in successful conservation. The White Mountain Apaches closed off Apache trout to fishing in the 1940s, and since then the fish has come a long way. Originally listed as an "endangered" species, this trout could soon be the first species taken off the federal list of threatened and endangered species.

Alchesay-Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery is one of 70 national fish hatcheries managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, along with 64 Fishery Resources Offices, nine Fish Health Centers, and seven Fish Technology Centers across the country.


For more information on fishing for Apache trout and licenses, contact the White Mountain Apache Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Division (520)338-4385, or Arizona Game and Fish Department (520)367-4342.

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