Around 100 years ago, they could be found in of streams in the White Mountains. By the late 1960s, their range had been reduced to around of these streams. Once the Endangered Species Act of 1969 was passed, they became one of the first species listed under it. When this act was replaced by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, they became one of the first fish species protected under the newer Act. Population numbers for this species are still rising. Today, the main risk to the Apache trout is its easy hybridization with the rainbow trout and major forest fires. Cutthroat trout are also genetically similar and cross-breed with Apache trout, compromising the genetic purity of each species. The range of the Apache trout remains limited, which puts it at risk, but it is now common enough that limited fishing is permitted. Many of the Mount Baldy headwater streams that are the stronghold of Apache trout are entirely closed to fishing. Catch and release fishing opportunities for wild (stream born), pure-strain Apache trout exist in a limited number of areas. Additionally, there are numerous consumptive fishing opportunities for Apache trout in waters where natural reproduction is not occurring and the Apache trout population is the result of stocking efforts. References Trinomial from Behnke, 2002. External links Apache Trout Recovery NatureServe Explorer Comprehensive Report Oncorhynchus Trout, Apache Trout, Apache Trout, Apache Trout, Apache Trout, Gila Natural history of Arizona Symbols of Arizona White Mountains (Arizona) Fish described in 1972 ESA threatened species