FY 2014 Sockeye Supplementation

Gametes were collected from adults on the spawning grounds and transported to the Lake Quinault Tribal Hatchery, where they were incubated and juveniles were reared on a UV light-treated water source. Broodstocking began in late October and lasted through the end of January where 196 adults were collected. All production from this program were otolith-marked during incubation to provide means for assessing and monitoring. Zero-age smolts were released into Lake Quinault on 7-5-17 at an average size of 2.3 grams, numbering 161,691 fish (98.3% survival). A second release occurred on 7-6-17 at an average size of 1.9 grams, numbering 118,332 fish (97.5% survival). The total release for 7-5 to 7-6-17 was 280,023 at an overall average size of 2.1 grams.


Project received two three month extensions to 12/31/17.

The supplementation program will provide larger returns of natural sockeye run to the Quinault River, which it is hoped will increase the total number of natural-origin fry entering the lake to rear each year. Larger numbers of returning adults would directly result in better meeting the social and economic needs of the members of the Quinault Indian Nation. Habitat would be improved by increasing the nutrient load within the river system, which would in turn boost aquatic insect communities which are a source of prey for juvenile salmon.