Creel Clerk/Fish Technician I

This project will provided salaries and travel for collection of salmon and harvest data on the Okanogan and Columbia Rivers. The information is critical to the management of salmon and steelhead populations relative to achieving adequate harvest opportunities for the CTCR. The creel technician played a key role in determining the rate and level of anadromous fish species harvested in the Upper Columbia basin.

July through October – Creel accomplished the following during the summer Chinook snag fishery at the Chief Joseph Dam tailrace fishery in the Columbia River. :
Enumerated the number of ESA-listed summer steelhead harvested
The Chinook snag fishery remained open if there was not significant harvest of ESA-listed steelhead.
Enumerated the number of summer Chinook harvested
Data collected on the harvest of adult summer Chinook was included in the tally of fish harvested by the CCT. The total harvest of Chinook was applied to the yearly harvest allocation as determined by the joint management agreement with the State of Washington through the US v OR allocation process.

October through April – steelhead creel and angler surveyed in the Okanogan River. Worked in conjunction with the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and collected angler surveys and biometric data on harvested fish.

May through July – in conjunction with and additional funding from the US Fish & Wildlife Service in Leavenworth, WA, conducted creel survey on the tribal spring Chinook fishery on Icicle Creek near the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery.

Contribute to increased and sustainable salmon and steelhead populations by effective continuation of monitoring and evaluation strategies.