Anadromous Waters Cataloging and Fish Inventories in Subbasins of the Koyukuk and Kobuk Rivers - 2022

This project sampled 102 sites in 2022 and 2023 for anadromous fishes, resulting in 51 nominations to the AWC totaling 468.19 miles. Electrofishing, eDNA, and aerial surveys were utilized to survey for fish and habitat characteristics were recorded for each site.

Updated and more comprehensive AWC coverage will be the primary benefit of this project toward sustaining salmon habitat. Only anadromous fish habitat listed in the AWC receives protection under the Anadromous Fish Act and various other policies that provide additional protections to specified anadromous fish habitat. Providing more complete and accessible fish community and habitat information will help ADF&G and other federal, state, and local resource agencies better implement their respective fish habitat management, protection, and research missions. Together, better protection and management of salmon habitat will benefit subsistence salmon fisheries and the communities they sustain by safeguarding critical salmon habitat, thereby ensuring the long-term productivity of habitats and salmon populations. Enhanced communication and partnerships with tribal communities will be established through community outreach prior to and after the field work.