Snake River Coho Restoration

In 1994, the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) initiated a coho reintroduction program as a result of agreements in the U.S. v. Oregon forum that reprogrammed Lower Columbia River Mitchell Act hatcheries to produce coho salmon for release in the Clearwater River Subbasin. The focus of the project is to restore Snake River coho salmon population to levels of abundance and productivity sufficient to support a sustainable run capable of annual harvest in the Clearwater River subbasin and the Grande Ronde River subbasin. This project is utilizing a phased approach for reintroduction and establishment of a localized coho salmon stock capable of enduring the migration to the Clearwater River.

In 2017, the NPT reintroduced coho into the Grande Ronde subbasin. Historically, this subbasin was a major production area for coho. Estimates of adult coho production from this subbasin in the late 1800’s exceeded 20,000 adult coho. Poorly designed hatchery programs, in-basin habitat changes, construction of mainstem dams, and overfishing depleted Columbia River coho runs, including those returning to the Snake River. Coho salmon populations have been extirpated from the Grande Ronde subbasin since 1986. The NPT has a vision of reestablishing and maintaining coho populations in their historic range; thus the purpose of this action.

Specific work performed under this project is listed as follows, by worksite.

Worksite #1: Dworshak National Fish Hatchery (DNFH) – Trapped 30 returning coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for the coho hatchery production groups under this project (used PCSRF funds). Reared 635,326 coho (used non-PCSRF funds) and marked 205,237 of the coho with Coded Wire Tags (used PCSRF funding). When the smolts had reached optimum growth levels they were transported to Kooskia NFH for acclimation and release (used PCSRF funds).

Worksite #2: Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery (ECNFH)- From broodstock eggs from DNFH and Lapwai Creek, reared 558,470 coho smolts (used non-PCSRF funding), prior to transport of 351,990 smolts to Lapwai Creek and 206,480 smolts to Kooskia NFH for acclimation and release. (used PCSRF funds). Marked 60,031 coho with Coded Wire Tags (using PCSRF funds).

Worksite #3: Kooskia National Fish Hatchery (KNFH) – Trapped 432 coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for all of the coho hatchery production groups under this project (used PCSRF funds). Incubated and acclimatized 841,806 coho smolts from DNFH and ECNFH and pit tagged 11,547 of the smolts (used PCSRF funds and some other funds). Of the surviving coho smolts, released 841,806 coho smolts directly into Clear Creek right next to Kooskia National Fish Hatchery (used some PCSRF funds and other funds for this).

Worksite #4: Lapwai Creek – Trapped 0 coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for all of the coho hatchery production groups under this project (used PCSRF funds). Acclimated and released 351,990 smolts from Eagle Creek NFH (used some non-PCSRF funds and other funds for this). Marked 4,797 coho with PIT Tags and 30,016 coho with Coded Wire Tags.

Worksite #5: Lostine River Released 453,165 Tanner Creek stock smolts into Lostine River. Marked 102,453 with coded wire tags. PCSRF funds used was $8000.00.

The NPT’s overall goal is to reintroduce and restore coho salmon to the Snake River Subbasin at levels of abundance and productivity sufficient to support sustainable runs and annual harvest. Consistent with the Clearwater Subbasin Plan and Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi Wa-Kish-Wit: Spirit of the Salmon Tribal Recovery Plan, the NPT envisions an annual escapement of 14,000 coho to the Clearwater River Subbasin. Based on results from the existing Clearwater River Subbasin coho production program and experience in managing anadromous fish populations in the Snake River Basin. The NPT’s long-term goal is to return 7,000 adult coho to the Wallowa River watershed in the Grande Ronde River subbasin. Nez Perce Tribe believes this program will require a substantial hatchery production component and the establishment of highly productive naturally spawning coho salmon aggregates.

The Nez Perce Tribe developed management objectives aimed at achieving the overall goal of the program. These include:
• Establish a localized Clearwater River subbasin coho salmon broodstock.
• Establish a localized Grande Ronde subbasin coho salmon broodstock.
• Establish natural spawning populations of coho salmon in the Clearwater River Subbasin and Grande Ronde River subbasin.
• Utilize hatchery production to achieve optimal production effectiveness while meeting priority management objectives for natural production enhancement, harvest, diversity and minimizing impacts to non-target populations.
• Restore and maintain treaty-reserved tribal and recreational fisheries.
• Monitor and evaluate program activities and communicate program findings to resource managers.
• This project specifically provides fish for tribal treaty rights. It gives the treaty tribes access to Mitchell Act fish that were previously released downstream of Bonneville Dam, it provides fish for harvest in the Columbia River from the mouth up through Zone 6, it provides fish for harvest in the tributaries of the Snake River, and it provides fish for natural spawning and reintroduction of an extirpated stocks in the Snake River.