Aquatic Biologists Study Greenback Cutthroat Demographics in Bear Creek

Description: TEAM (Main Photo): Cory Noble, CPW Aquatic Biologist, aided by Seasonal Aquatic Technicians Reece Wagers, left, and Nicki Bortz, conducts electrofishing in Bear Creek to determine the abundance and species of its fish population in Colorado Springs, Aug 25.

Aquatic Biologists Study Greenback Cutthroat Demographics in Bear Creek

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife conducted electrofishing in Bear Creek Monday near the intersection with Gold Camp Road to determine the abundance and species of the creek’s fish population.

“This effort gives us insight into the demographics of greenback cutthroat trout and brook trout in the area,” said Cory Noble, CPW Aquatic Biologist.

Noble, rigged with an electrofishing backpack and pole, along with Reece Wagers and Nicki Bortz, CPW seasonal aquatic technicians, assisting with buckets and nets, completed two upstream collections, walking approximately 100 yards of riverbed twice. The first collection of fish was placed upstream in a submerged net during the second count.

Electrofishing sends a small charge to a metal ring on a pole that’s moved under water. The ring discharges a low-amp electrical charge to temporarily stun nearby fish, allowing them to be netted for the count.

The number, type, and health of the fish collected provide data used to determine overall health of the creek and its fish population.

“The health of the cutthroat trout population is a good indicator of the overall health of Bear Creek,” said Noble.

After the assessment, the cutthroat were released back into the creek. A population estimate for the specific location had not been completed since 1996.

“Bear Creek has very clean water, but faces an ongoing road sediment challenge,” said Noble. “The sediment fills pools that the fish need for habitat, and that creates a shallow creek with less habitat complexity.”

Additional fish counts down the river continue throughout the week. The CPW aquatic biology team has been assessing the Bear Creek cutthroat trout population for years. 

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NETS: Colorado Parks and Wildlife team members conduct electrofishing in Bear Creek to determine the abundance and species of its fish population in Colorado Springs, Aug 25.

FISHING: Cory Noble, CPW Aquatic Biologist, conducts electrofishing in Bear Creek to determine the abundance and species of its fish population in Colorado Springs, Aug 25.