FY 2019 Nisqually Chinook Stock Management Plan Monitoring

1. Hatchery broodstock sampling, sorting, and transport upriver were conducted when the forecasts were low and the hatcheries had a surplus.



2. Trapping was done within the Centralia City Lights fish ladder or in-river capture using tangle nets and fyke traps of up to 105 natural origin fish that were used for Kalama Creek’s 25% integrated broodstock program. A Kalama Creek facility rebuild with smaller tanks and re-circulated filter water was started in 2019 to accommodate this program. Adult returns from Kalama Creek fed into the stair-step integration for the bigger production at the Clear Creek Hatchery. Hatchery-origin fish captured in tangle nets or traps were sampled, tagged, and either harvested or released based on return abundance.



3. When in-river visibility allowed, the fish counter/camera system located within the Centralia City Light fish ladder located at river mile 26 was utilized to enumerate and identify Chinook by origin (Hatchery vs. Natural) and visually look for jaw-tagged fish.

The expected result of this project is that it will contribute towards implementing recent modifications to the Nisqually Chinook Stock Management Plan. The intent of the plan is to implement actions that will lead to ESA delisting of the Chinook population through the development of a self-sustaining natural population, and to provide meaningful harvest opportunities for the Nisqually tribal community.