EMERY COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said the illegal introduction of Utah chub into Millsite Reservoir has endangered another fish species.
The DWR said the endangered species is called the bluehead sucker, which lives in Millsite Reservoir. The DWR called the bluehead sucker “a species with the greatest conservation need.” social media message.
READ NEXT: Time to go fishing? Rainbow trout filling Utah waters in ‘greater abundance than normal’
“The illegal introduction took place in recent years, because we found different age categories in our sample,” the DWR said.
According to the DWR, officials have been working to ensure a “healthy balance” in the Millsite Reservoir ecosystem, which supports both recreation and the conservation of the bluehead sucker.
“The illegal introduction of the Utah chub has endangered it,” the DWR said.
In its post, the DWR reminded Utahns that moving fish between bodies of water in Utah is illegal – especially since the introduced fish may prey on other species, including native or endangered species.
“Bucket biology could also introduce disease into the water body because the fish and introduced water have not been declared disease-free,” the DWR said.
What is the Utah chub?
Utah chub is the common name for the species Gila atrariaand are often found in freshwater areas, such as lakes or creeks, according to the website Fish base.
The fish are said to have a “deep, compressed body” with large eyes and a short snout, according to FishBase.
“Introduced populations often reach high abundance and become serious competitors of sport fish, especially trout,” said A USGS non-native aquatic species fact sheet.
Utah officials have said the illegal introduction of the chub into Millsite Reservoir has endangered the reservoir’s ecosystem.
What is the bluehead sucker?
According to the DWR’s Utah Species Field Guide“Bluehead sucker” is the common name for the species Catostomus discoboluswhich is native to parts of Utah, Idaho and several other states.
The fish is said to have a modified mouth that helps it scrape algae from the surface of rocks as it resides at the bottom of the water bodies in which it is found.
“In Utah, bluehead suckers have declined in numbers and distribution due to changes in currents, habitat loss/alteration, and the introduction of non-native fish,” the DWR said in its guide.
Utah officials said the main cause of this species’ population decline is the change and loss of its habitats.
Why is moving fish illegal in Utah?
The DWR has asked Utah residents “Don’t throw away fish,” and has also encouraged Utahns to know the law regarding fish movements.
The most important things to note are that introducing fish into Utah waters is illegal, and transporting live fish between waters is a violation of state law.
Additionally, using live baitfish while fishing is illegal in Utah, and releasing any fish species into any body of water in the state is illegal.
The DWR has a updated guide with the latest fishing regulations available online.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit ABC4 Utah.
