Run Timing and Spawning Distribution of Copper River Chinook Salmon

This project estimated the spawning distribution and escapement of Chinook salmon in six major spawning tributaries/areas of the Copper River (Chitina, Tonsina, Klutina, Tazlina, and Gulkana rivers, and the upper Copper River drainage) in 2019 and 2020. Chinook salmon were radiotagged in the lower Copper River and tracked upstream with a series of fixed tracking stations and aerial surveys. Escapement was estimated using weighted distribution proportions to the overall Copper River escapement estimate less inriver harvests.

Subsistence fisheries span almost the entire length of the Copper River mainstem, and different stocks are prosecuted at different rates depending on their location relative to where the subsistence harvest is occurring. Understanding spawning distribution allows ADF&G to manage for certain stocks. Knowledge gained from previous run timing and spawning distribution studies have led to regulation changes which were designed to allow more Chinook salmon to the upper Copper River stocks to satisfy subsistence needs.