Fish were collected at 18 sites in the Arkansas (N=6) and Eagle (N=12) rivers. Richness at all sites was low (1–3 species). Analyses of fish assemblage data from the Arkansas and Eagle rivers and their tributaries suggested significant differences among sites subject to mine impacts and control or recovering sites. Native taxa were collected at only one site in the Arkansas River drainage (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) and only at the Eagle River control sites (Paiute sculpins,Cottus beldingi).