Clearwater Steelhead Radio Telemetry

This project focused on monitoring adult steelhead movement, distribution, and fishery interaction rates within the Clearwater River and its major tributary areas. The project linked closely with existing projects operated within the drainage that were evaluating wild steelhead spawning distribution and habitat use in three major sub-populations of the Clearwater River. This data enabled assessment of current and prioritization of future habitat restoration efforts within the Potlatch River and South Fork Clearwater River drainages as well as provide baseline data on steelhead migration characteristics, spawning distribution, and habitat use within the Lochsa River drainage. Data collected within the mainstem Clearwater River fishery was used to better understand fishery management practices and support existing run-reconstruction efforts. Data collected by the project was used to inform fishery managers on wild fish interactions with the recreational fishery and help develop methods to maximize the fishery for sport fishing opportunity and wild fish conservation.

Worksite #1 Clearwater River: Monitoring metrics of the mainstem Clearwater River worksite were met during the project. The project sponsor worked along with the University of Idaho at meeting all monitoring objectives of the worksite. The work culminated in the completion of a Master’s thesis entitled “Distribution and movement of steelhead and anglers in the Clearwater River, Idaho.” The thesis contained all aspects of adult steelhead mainstem migration characteristics and fishery overlap of both wild and hatchery stocks within the Clearwater River. Data collection relied on mobile and fixed station radio-telemetry tracking across the mainstem Clearwater River drainage. 178 adult steelhead were tagged during spawn year 2017 and 111 adult steelhead were tagged during spawn year 2018. Wild and hatchery steelhead stocks included in the study were Potlatch River and Lochsa River wild steelhead and Dworshak and South Fork Clearwater River hatchery releases. Specific topics addressed included mainstem Clearwater River (fishery) entrance timing, seasonal distribution of steelhead stocks and anglers, as well as characterizations of final fate and habitat use of steelhead stocks found within the Clearwater River drainage. Results of the project have already been used to inform fishery management decisions within the Clearwater River.

Worksite #2 Lochsa River: Monitoring metrics of the Lochsa River worksite were met during the study although monitoring was only conducted during spawn year 2016 due to limitations during spawn years 2017 and 2018. Inclement weather during 2017 and a low abundance of radio-tagged adult steelhead in 2018 precluded aerial tracking during those two years. Aerial telemetry surveys conducted in the Locsha River drainage by project sponsors during spawn year 2016 showed high site fidelity of known destination adult steelhead. Adult steelhead returned to natal tributaries at high rates. In addition, we documented minimal hatchery straying into the Lochsa River based on the radio-tag effort. One hatchery steelhead (South Fork Clearwater River) was detected in the upper Locsha River basin during aerial surveys, however, the tag was only documented on a single survey and may have been a false coding. Data collected on the Lochsa River by this project coupled with additional data collected on the Potlatch and South Fork Clearwater rivers has provided an extensive data set on wild steelhead spawning tributary entrance and spawning distribution throughout the Clearwater River drainage.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game completed this project in coordination with the University of Idaho, Nez Perce Tribe, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Match funding was provided by the Bonneville Power Administration.

Monitor wild steelhead migration timing, spawn timing, and spatial distribution in the mainstem Locsha River and major tributaries (Fish, Colt Killed, and Crooked Fork creeks) during RY 2016-2017 and RY 2017-2018. Monitor wild and hatchery steelhead movement through mainstem fishery on the Clearwater River during RY 2016-2017 and RY 2017-2018. Field work will include mobile telemetry tracking from ground and aerial surveys and fixed site data collection. Angler effort will also be monitored on the mainstem Clearwater River fishery during RY 2016-2017 and RY 2017 – 2018. Steelhead to be monitored include the ESA-listed lower mainstem Clearwater, Lochsa, and South Fork Clearwater River populations of the Clearwater Major Population Group of the Snake River steelhead Distinct Population Segment.