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The threatened Gila trout is native to Arizona and New Mexico’s small mountain streams. Native trout populations dropped due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and introduction of non-native rainbow and cutthroat trout. These threats reduce the range of pure Gila trout. Wildfire threatens Gila trout due to fish kill and ash flows. Gila trout were “Endangered” in the 1970’s but changed to “Threatened” in 2006. After more than 15 years, fish managers continue attempts to expand the range and population of pure Gila trout. The fish are raised in recovery streams and hatcheries and evacuated when wildfires burn.
