Angling for Answers: Nooksack Early Chinook Origins

We propose funding to continue to operate the selective research fishery for Nooksack early Chinook salmon to evaluate temporal and spatial distribution and post-release survival of released Chinook salmon. Additionally, we seek funding to pay for analysis of otolith samples from harvested fish and DNA from tissue samples of all unmarked fish to evaluate stock composition, freshwater entry timing and survival of different hatchery releases and natural-origin populations.

This funding to run to the tangle net, in conjunction with the previously funded radio tag study, will provide a better understanding of in-river spatial and temporal distribution, post-release tangle net survival and sources of in-river pre-spawn mortality of early Chinook.

The genetic stock composition will provide a better understanding of spawn timing, survival and pre-spawn mortality of North Fork early Chinook spawning in the South Fork and South Fork early Chinook spawning in the North Fork. Data gathered from this project will directly benefit the Nooksack Indian Tribe and WDFW. Improving hatchery survival of these key recovery programs will provide more naturally spawning fish to boost depressed natural-origin populations.