GAME BIRDS 



Blue grouse, sage grouse, occasional ruffed grouse and Hungarian partridge exist on the WMA and 

 will benefit from, improved range condition on the WMA. No population estimates have been made, 

 but all species will undoubtedly benefit fi-om the increased food and cover afforded the WMA as 

 range condition improves. 



WATERFOWL 



Some waterfowl nesting occurs along the numerous beaver dams located along Robb and Ledford 

 Creeks. The principal waterfowl use is by mallards and teal. Nesting success and brood rearing sites 

 for waterfowl will be improved by the rest rotation grazing system that has been implemented on the 

 WMA. 



FISHERIES 



The WMA contains portions or all of Crows Nest, Ledford, Robb, Rock, Swamp and Taylor Creeks. 

 If grazing on the WMA is coordinated with BLM, Indian Creek and several miles of the East Fork of 

 Blacktail Creek may also be influenced by the grazing system that is implemented. 



Ledford Creek supports rainbow, rainbow-cutthroat hybrids, brown trout and mottled sculpin. 

 Based on an inventory in 1991, total densities of trout were estimated at approximately 240 per mile. 

 Brown trout were the predominant species representing 74% of the catchable (6 inches or longer) 

 fish. Habitat was limited in the inventoried section, due to a low abundance of willows and other 

 shrubs in riparian areas. Stream and riparian conditions appeared to have been influenced by historic 

 livestock use. 



The East Fork of Blacktail Creek fishery is primarily comprised of brook and rainbow trout. 

 Mountain whitefish and mottled sculpin are also present. In 1995, a short section of stream was 

 inventoried downstream of the mouth of Rough Creek. Brook trout were the only trout species 

 captured. Sizes ranged fi-om 4 to 9 inches and densities were very low, estimated at 66 per mile. 

 Westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) are present in the headwaters at similar densities. Analysis of 

 several fish indicated they were 88% genetically pure. Instream flow reservation was requested and 

 granted at 1 8 cubic feet per second. 



Robb Creek is dominated by brook trout, but maintains a small population of WCT. Mottled sculpin 

 are also present. A survey in 1991 estimated catchable size fish at 496 per mile. Brook trout 

 averaged nearly eight inches in length, with the largest exceeding 12 inches. Westslope cutthroat 

 trout averaged only 6% of the game fish population. Sizes ranged to 9 inches in length. Habitat in 

 the surveyed area consisted primarily of a network of beaver ponds connected by short reaches of 

 stream. The majority of habitat was provided by the ponds or woody debris associated with the 

 dams. Livestock impacts had influenced portion of the inventoried stream reach. 



Rock Creek contains exclusively WCT. Population densities range fi-om 160 to 300 catchable size 

 fish per mile, with the largest fish exceeding 12 inches in length. Fish habitat is limited throughout 

 most of the stream. Two reservoirs appear to provide over-winter habitat to a significant portion of 

 the population. Primary factors influencing the habitat include the outlet of the upper reservoir which 

 has eroded a 15 foot gully for approximately 200 yards. This has largely obliterated habitat features 

 for a significant distance downstream. In addition, a natural slump has confined the channel resulting 



