On-Going Reservoir Habitat Manipulation Projects in New Mexico
New Mexico has numerous small reservoirs (80-200 ha) that are over 50 years old and in need of habitat manipulations/installations, especially woody debris. Historically, when issues in sportfish populations pertaining to growth rates, relative abundances, and body conditions have been observed, the only management tool available has been the manipulation of stocking strategies, change in recreational harvest limits, or removal/relocation of stunted fish. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) decided to start exploring the possibility of lacustrine habitat manipulation projects to improve sportfish population dynamics in 2018 and implemented the first project in 2020. In this presentation I intend to share the background information that influenced the NMDGF to start implementing these projects, a summary of the previous projects and information on the current project and habitat structure changes. Hopefully the sharing of this information will help the NMDGF and other groups/agencies learn how future habitat manipulation projects can be improved to benefit fish populations and anglers.