Arizona’s Apache trout rebounds from near extinction; 22 miles now protected
The Apache trout, native to Arizona, has been removed from the federal endangered species list following decades of conservation efforts. A new barrier on Big Bonito Creek now protects 22 miles of habitat from invasive trout species.
Why it matters
This represents a significant success story in biodiversity conservation and the restoration of native ecosystems through tribal and federal collaboration.
Arizona’s Apache trout has made a remarkable recovery after decades of pressure from habitat degradation, overfishing and introduced trout. The native fish was once close to disappearing from the cold mountain streams of eastern Arizona, but long-term conservation led by the White Mountain Apache Tribe and supported by state and federal partners helped rebuild its populations. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Apache trout was officially removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in September 2024 after meeting recovery goals. The latest milestone is the completion of a new barrier on Big Bonito Creek, which now protects nearly 22 miles of stream habitat from invading non-native trout.A native trout facing multiple threatsThe Apache trout is found naturally only in the mountain streams of eastern Arizona, particularly around the White Mountains.
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