Coho Salmon Production in the Clearwater River IX

All of the project objectives, tasks and activities were successfully achieved.

Objective 1: Produce Coho salmon for releases in the Clearwater River subbasin.
Task 1.1: Completed rearing of Coho salmon juveniles from brood year 2008.
Activity 1.1.1: On March 30, 2010 a total of 295,660 Coho smolts were released from Kooskia NFH into Clear Creek.
Activity 1.1.2: On March 2, 2010 a total of 293,760 Coho smolts were transported and direct released from Eagle Creek NFH into Lapwai Creek. On March 4, 2010 a total of 289,850 Coho smolts were transported to Kooksia NFH for final acclimation from Eagle Creek NFH into Clear Creek.
Activity 1.1.3: On March 30, 2010 a total of 291,164 Coho smolts transported from Eagle Creek NFH were released from Kooskia NFH after 26 days of acclimation.
Activity 1.1.4: Acclimation for this group of fish was not completed due to the fact the acclimation site is not completed to date. This group of Coho smolts was direct released into Lapwai Creek
Task 1.2: Trap and rear Coho salmon from brood year 2009.
Activity 1.2.1: During the fall of 2009 a total of 4,912 returning adult Coho salmon were counted across Lower Granite Dam. That count was the highest since adult returns from Clearwater Coho Restoration began in 1997 to the Snake River subbasin. Adult trapping operations took place at Dworshak NFH and Kooskia NFH. A total of 1,930 adults were collected along with 42 jacks at the two trapping sites (Table 1).
Table 1. Adults collected at each trapping site.
Collection Site Adult Jack Total
Dworshak NFH 303 0 303
Kooskia NFH 1627 42 1669
Subtotal 1930 42 1972

Activity 1.2.2.: After five spawning events, a total of 636 females were spawned yielding approximately 1,526,020 million green eggs.
Activity 1.2.3: On December 10, 2009 we transferred 605,376 Clearwater stock eyed eggs from DNFH to Eagle Creek NFH (ECNFH) for final incubation and rearing. December 18, 2009 we transferred 154,069 Clearwater stock eyed eggs from DNFH to ECNFH. These eggs would replace the need of Eagle Creek stock Coho for the Lapwai and Clear Creek releases. The purpose of this plan was to use only Clearwater stock Coho for supplementation in the Clearwater, rather than 1st generation Eagle Creek stock. Unfortunately, this did not go as planned. Inclement weather conditions caused a high number of eggs to freeze during the transport. An estimated 50% were lost due to the extreme cold weather.
Objective 2: Effectively communicate program approach and findings to resource managers.
This activity is divided into three specific areas involving: 1) interagency coordination with on going production issues, 2) coordination with regards to Endangered Species Act issues, and 3) coordination with regards to funding processes.
Activity 2.1.1: We completed the intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding for fish production and fish health screening. We participate in the annual and semi-annual Clearwater Annual Operating Plan meetings at Clearwater and Dworshak fish hatcheries.
Task 2.2: Consult with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries on ESA compliance of the project.
Activity 2.2.1: We are currently in the process of updating our Clearwater Coho Hatchery Genetic Management Plan.
Activity 2.2.2: We annually update National Marine Fisheries Service with our proposed operations.
Task2.3: Communication of results.
Activity 2.3.1 & 2.3.2: We developed monthly, semi-annual and annual progress reports. We participate and assist with developing the Clearwater Annual Operating Plans with co-managers – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and other Nez Perce Tribal Fisheries divisions. We update databases for Coded Wire Tag and Passive Integrated Transponder tags; we provide Coho trap and end of season release summary reports and monthly production reports to other agencies.

Restored adult Coho returns in the Clearwater River to support natural production as well as tribal and non-tribal harvest. The Nez Perce Tribe believes a population of 5,000 to 15,000 adults can meet the production and harvest goals; the long term goal of 14,000 as identified in Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi-Kish-Wit (CRITFC 1996). In addition, this project will expand the range of Coho in the Columbia River Basin and into the Snake River tributaries.
Adult returns during 2011 were the highest number of adults counted over Lower Granite Dam (5,348) to date. Pit tag expansion calculated for adults returning to the Clearwater River at Bonneville Dam was estimated at 14,543 and the same pit tag expansion calculated at McNary Dam was estimated at 6,734 adults. We believe the difference from Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam of 7,809 was harvested in the zone six tribal treaty fisheries.