Spring/Summer/Fall Mainstem Outmigrant Salmonid Monitoring on Klamath, Big Bar & Lower Salmon River 2016

Trapping operations were completed in cooperation with the Salmon River Restoration Council. Trapping operations included out migrant monitoring in the mainstem Klamath River near Big Bar and in the lower Salmon River. Trapping data was entered into our comprehensive trapping database and data summaries were completed.

This project benefits Klamath River Salmonid by providing up to date information in a long term data set to water managers, researchers and restoration efforts by collecting data on migration timing, presence, fork length, and health of juvenile outmigrant salmonid as well as other fish in the Klamath River. The big bar data set began in 1993 and is especially useful because we can run the rotary screw trap safely in this location during fishable periods during the fall, winter, and spring months when other Klamath River rotary screw traps are not able to be safely operated. Tagged Coho have been recaptured here and so it serves as a site to learn about Coho life history as well. The Salmon River data set began in 2001 and is especially useful because it is the only rotary screw trap located on the Salmon River which is an important tributary known to hold the Spring Chinook which is in declining abundance in the Klamath River.