Clearwater River Coho Salmon Production XII

The Clearwater River Coho Salmon Production Project XII continued the coho salmon reintroduction work in the Clearwater subbasin begun by the previous eleven projects. This PCSRF project is solely a portion of the larger Nez Perce Tribe Clearwater River Coho Salmon Production Project (CRCSPP) that seeks to restore a localized coho salmon stock capable of enduring the migration to the Clearwater River subbasin to population levels sufficient to support a sustainable run capable of annual harvest.

This project (Phase XII) conducted work at four worksites:

Worksite #1: Dworshak National Fish Hatchery (DNFH) – Trapped 265 returning coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for the coho hatchery production groups. In addition, 99,809 coho were marked with Coded Wire Tags. When the smolts had reached optimum growth levels, they were transported to Kooskia NFH for acclimation and release. Egg to smolt rearing was funded by other sources and was not part of this project.

Worksite #2: Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery (ECNFH) - Marked 60,145 smolts with Coded Wire Tags and transported 273,339 smolts to Lapwai Creek and 242,210 smolts to Kooskia NFH for acclimation and release. Egg (from DNFH and Lapwai Creek) to smolt rearing was funded by other sources and was not part of this project.

Worksite #3: Kooskia National Fish Hatchery (KNFH) – Trapped 846 coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for all of the coho hatchery production groups. Incubated and acclimatized 515,549 coho smolts from DNFH and ECNFH and pit tagged 9,975 of the smolts. Of the surviving coho smolts, released 211,626 coho smolts directly into Clear Creek next to Kooskia National Fish Hatchery.

Worksite #4: Lapwai Creek – Trapped 293 coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for all of the coho hatchery production groups. Acclimated and released 273,519 smolts from ECNFH.

Objective 1: Develop a localized Clearwater River Coho salmon broodstock to support components of the restoration program.
• All fish production has been completed to produce Coho salmon for releases in the Clearwater River subbasin.

Objective 2: Effectively communicate program approach and findings to resource managers.

This activity is divided into three specific areas involving: 1) interagency coordination with ongoing production issues, 2) coordination with regards to Endangered Species Act issues, and 3) coordination with regards to funding processes.

Task 2.1: Coordinate supplementation planning.

Activity 2.1.1: Coordinated with the following agencies: Northwest Power and Conservation Council , Bonneville Power Administration, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and private entities, through one or more of the following forums: technical work groups, hatchery production management meetings, the NPPC hatchery review committees, intergovernmental agreements, US v Oregon Production Advisory Committee (PAC) or Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), other technical and policy meetings, and progress reports.

Restore adult returns in the Clearwater River to support natural production as well as tribal and non-tribal harvest. We believe a population of 5,000 to 15,000 adults can meet the production and harvest goals; the long-term goal is 14,000 as identified in Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi-Wa-Kish-Wit (CRITFC 1996). In addition, this project expands the range of Coho in the Columbia River Basin into Snake River tributaries. Natural production of Coho salmon has been documented in Lapwai and Lolo Creek (tributaries to the Clearwater River) and the Tucannon River (tributary to the Snake River) as a result of the Clearwater River Coho Salmon Production Project releases.