Chapter 1, a dichotomous key for the identification of nine salmonids of the Inland Northwest using six diagnostic skull bones; and associated equations to estimate total length and weight form bones ingested by piscivores or found in archeological sites; Chapter 2, Utilization of acoustic biotelemetry to define the movements of Lake Roosevelt Redband trout, oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri

The fish skull is a complex anatomical structure, comprised of numerous bones that are often unique to the fish\u27s genera or species. These unique qualities allow researchers to use bone to identify and quantify fish in piscivore and archeological investigations. Due to the high degree of similarity among skull bones of salmonids, adequate descriptions for keying out most salmoinds is limited in the available literature. To address this, eight different bones from a sample of 273 fish, representing nine salmonid species, were observed and measured. Observations and measurements were used to construct dichotomous keys and regression models for identifying and quantifying each the nine salmonids when a single bone is present. Of the eight bones, the premaxillary, maxillary, dentary, cleithra, preopercle and opercle displayed species specific qualities for all nine species. These unique qualities have been used to construct a dichotomous key. The remaining two bones, the pharyngeal arch and vertebra, were not different enough to key out these bones from each species. All eight bones provided a precise single or multilinear regression model usable to back calculate fish total length from the length of a single bone --Leaf 2.; The upper Columbia River Basin once produced annual runs of 1 to 3 million salmon and steelhead (8-12% of Columbia River run; UCUT 1985) and provided habitat for lamprey, sturgeon and other fish species. Today, resident redband rainbow trout and kokanee salmon, potential remnant populations of anadromous runs, remain in Lake Roosevelt. To better understand how naturally occurring redband rainbow trout currently use the reservoir, 51 acoustic tags were surgically implanted into wild Lake Roosevelt redband rainbow trout across several size classes (155-616mTL) in 2013. Tagging efforts were divided across five tributary groups, to infer whether each stock utilizes the reservoir in a distinctive pattern, or if they all rely upon key areas. Condition factor for all redbands averaged at 0.878 (SD, 0.121), with no statistical difference among tributary groups. The movements, generalized distribution, and entrainment rates of redbands were passively monitored between April and August, using 61 acoustic receivers permanently moored in the Sanpoil and Spokane Rivers and across 263km of the mainstem Columbia from Rufus Woods Lake to Huge Keenleyside Dam, British Columbia. Monthly kernel density plots were constructed to provide visual representations of fish movement and occupancy across the reservoir. Minimum displacement per hour (MDPH) was calculated and associated with daily values for reservoir elevation, inflow, discharge, water retention time, and temperature collected from the forebay at Grand Coulee Dam to asses the effects of reservoir operation on redband movement. Though there was a small amount of overlap between the tributary groups, we observed a general trend for tributary groups to reside in distinctive areas. Alder Creek redbands (n=5) ranged across the largest portion of the reservoir, Burbot Creek to Kettle Falls, but were most frequently found between Hunters and Castle Rock. Big Sheep Creek redbands (n=14) generally remained between the Little Dalles Eddy and Big Sheep Creek, with a number of fish remaining exclusively in this zone through August. Outside of this area, Big Sheep redbands were found from the international border to Bis-sell Island. Sanpoil redbands utilized the lower reservoir, particularly Spring Canyon, more than any other tributary group, however, they were most frequently found to remain in the Sanpoil and Keller Ferry region, with some fish remaining exclusively in this area through August. Only five of the total Spokane River redbands (n=13) left the Spokane River during this study. Of these five redbands, three ranged downstream to Spring Canyon, and two ranged upstream of Hunters. Redbands from Big Sheep Creek were the only group that displayed a marginal amount of correlation between MDPH and reservoir inflow (r²=0.122, p\u3c0.001), discharge (r²=0.087, p\u3c0.001), water retention time (r²=0.052, p=0.003), and temperature (r²=0.061, p=0.002). Sanpoil River redbands were the only group that lost tagged fish due to entrainment (n=3). All entrained fish were large (386-521mm TL) adults that left the reservoir between May and July 2013 --Leaf 133

Upper Columbia United Tribes Fisheries Center Fisheries Technical Report No. 12

Predicting the Effect of Reduced Streamflow on Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Sculpin Populations in Chamokane Creek Using the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM

First Records of the Fish Assemblage on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, Spokane County, Washington, 2013

We present the first documentation of the fish assemblage on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR) in Spokane County, Washington. Using various methods, we collected fishes inhabiting the wetlands of TNWR in 2013. A total of 15,921 fish was collected, and included, recorded by relative abundance (RA); brook stickleback (RA = 81%), pumpkinseed (RA = 18%), speckled dace (RA = <1%), redside shiner (RA = <1%), and brown bullhead (RA = <1%). This paper describes the 2013 fish assemblage at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

Assessment of the Fishery Improvement Opportunities on the Pend Oreille River: Recommendations for Fisheries Enhancement: Final Report.

This report recommends resident fish substitution projects to partially replace anadromous fish losses caused by construction of Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams. These recommendations involve enhancing the resident fishery in the Pend Oreille River as a substitute for anadromous fish losses. In developing these recommendations we have intentionally attempted to minimize the impact upon the hydroelectric system and anadromous fish recovery plans. In this report we are recommending that the Northwest Power Planning Council direct Bonneville Power Administration to fund the proposed enhancement measures as resident fish substitution projects under the NPPC's Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. The Pend Oreille River, located in northeast Washington, was historically a free flowing river which supported anadromous steelhead trout and chinook salmon, and large resident cutthroat trout and bull trout. In 1939, Grand Coulee Dam eliminated the anadromous species from the river. In 1955, Box Canyon Dam was constructed, inundating resident trout habitat in the river and creating many back water and slough areas. By the late 1950's the fishery in the reservoir had changed from a quality trout fishery to a warm water fishery, supporting largemouth bass, yellow perch and rough fish (tenth, suckers, squawfish). The object of this study was to examine the existing fishery, identify fishery improvement opportunities and recommend fishery enhancement projects. Three years of baseline data were collected from the Box Canyon portion of the Pend Oreille River to assess population dynamics, growth rates, feeding habits, behavior patterns and factors limiting the fishery. Fishery improvement opportunities were identified based on the results of these data. Relative abundance surveys in the reservoir resulted in the capture of 47,415 fish during the study. The most abundant species in the reservoir were yellow perch, composing 44% of the fish captured. The perch population in the river is stunted and therefore not popular with anglers. Pumpkinseed composed 16% of the total catch, followed by tenth (9%), largemouth bass (8%), mountain whitefish (6%), largescale sucker (5%), northern squawfish (4%) and longnose sucker (3%)

Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) can detect conspecific pheromones in a two choice Y-maze

Two stocks of Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) were tested in a two choice Y-maze to determine if they could detect pheromones from the same natal population (population specific pheromones PSP) or from a different (conspecific) population of Bull Trout (CSP). Fish from the Pack River (PR), Idaho and the Metolius River (MR), Oregon were transferred to a fish hatchery where Y-maze studies were conducted. The Y-maze was constructed to supply well water at 12°C (blank) to both arms with the temperature and discharge of each arm matched to within 0.1°C and 0.01 l/s. One arm was randomly selected to be supplied with pheromones from fish held in stock tanks. Four types of tests were conducted with each stock: 1) blank supplied to both arms; 2) PSP + blank in one arm; 3) CSP + blank in one arm; 4) PSP + blank in one arm and CSP + blank in the other. Chi Square (χ²) Goodness of Fit tests with two degrees of freedom were used to compare the frequency at which fish entered each arm to the theoretical distribution that assumed they randomly selected an arm. Both stocks exhibited no preference when blank water only was present [PR: (χ²=4.79; p=0.091; n=28); MR: (χ²=4.67; p=.097; n=27)]. Both stocks preferred the PSP arm over the blank arm during PSP tests [PR: (χ²=14.00; p\u3c0.001; n=27); MR: (χ²=21.94; p\u3c0.001; n=28)]. Both stocks preferred the CSP arm over the blank arm during CSP tests [PR: (χ²=15.07; p\u3c0.001; n=26); MR: (χ²=16.72; p\u3c0.001; n=31)]. During the PSP vs. CSP tests, both PR and MR spent equivalent frequency in PSP and CSP arms therefore exhibited no preference [PR: (χ²=2.96; p=0.227; n=29); MR: (χ²=4.90; p=0.086; n=31)]. These results showed Bull Trout could detect pheromones from other Bull Trout but could not differentiate between PSPs and CSPs

Fisheries Habitat Evaluation in Tributaries of the Coeur d`Alene Indian Reservation : Annual Report 1992.

In 1987 the Northwest Power Planning Council amended the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program, directing the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to fund, ``a baseline stream survey of tributaries located on the Coeur d`Alene Indian Reservation to compile information on improving spawning habitat, rearing habitat, and access to spawning tributaries for bull trout, cutthroat trout, and to evaluate the existing fish stocks. ff justified by the results of the survey, fund the design, construction and operation of a cutthroat and bull trout hatchery on the Coeur d`Alene Indian Reservation; necessary habitat improvement projects; and a three year monitoring program to evaluate the effectiveness of the hatchery and habitat improvement projects. If the baseline survey indicates a better alternative than construction of a fish hatchery, the Coeur d`Alene Tribe will submit an alternative plan for consideration in program amendment proceeding.`` This report contains the results of the third year of the study and the Coeur d`Alene Indian Tribes` preliminary recommendations for enhancing the cutthroat and bull trout fishery on the Coeur d`Alene Indian Reservation. These recommendations are based on study results from year three data and information obtained in the first two years of the study

Fisheries Habitat Evaluation on Tributaries of the Coeur d`Alene Indian Reservation : Annual Report [1991].

The purpose of this study was to conduct physical and biological surveys of streams located on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation. Surveys were designed to collect information on improving spawning habitat, rearing habitat, and access to spawning tributaries for bull trout and cutthroat trout and to evaluate the existing fish stocks. The objectives of the second year of the study were to: (1) Develop a stream ranking system to select the five streams of primary fisheries potential; (2) Conduct physical field surveys; (3) Determine population dynamics; (4) Determine growth rates of existing trout species; (5) Determine macroinvertebrate densities and diversities; and (6) Determine baseline angler utilization. The Missouri method of evaluating stream reaches was modified and utilized to rank the ten tributaries (as determined by Graves et al. 1990) associated with reservation lands. The method incorporated such data as stream bank and bed stability, condition of riparian vegetation, land use, degree of urbanization, passage barriers, water quality, flow and temperature regimes, as well as the overall habitat suitability for all life history stages of cutthroat and bull trout. This data was then combined with relative abundance data, growth rates and invertebrate densities to choose five streams, which offer the best potential habitat, for further study. Relative abundance estimates resulted in the capture of 6,138 fish from June, August, and October, 1991. A total of 427 cutthroat trout were collected from all sampled tributaries. Relative abundance of cutthroat trout for all tributaries was 6.7%. Fighting Creek had the highest abundance of cutthroat trout at 93.1%, followed by Evans Creeks at 30.8%, Lake Creek at 12.1%, Hell's Gulch at 11.1%, Alder Creek at 3.3%, Benewah Creek at 2.1% and Plummer/Little Plummer creeks at 5%. Population estimates were conducted in Benewah, Alder, Evans and Lake creeks. Estimates were: 23.5 {+-} 2.3 fish/l,922.6 m2 in Benewah Creek, 15.3 {+-} 2.1 fish/l,039.6 m2 in Alder Creek, 69.1 {+-} 36.4 fish/857.1 m2 in Lake Creek, and 120.6 {+-} 20.5 fish/634.4 m2 in Evans Creek. Growth rates and condition factors for cutthroat captured in each stream tended to be low in comparison to other streams in the region except for Benewah Creek. Eastern brook trout growth and condition factors were good in relation to other streams in the region. Mean annual invertebrate densities in the tributaries ranged from 1205.3 organisms/m2 in Alder Creek to 2885.56 organisms/m2 in Evans Creek. Mean annual densities in the drift ranged from 21.3 organisms/m2 in Alder Creek to 265.7 organisms/m2 in Evans Creek. Invertebrate densities were comparable to other streams of the same size in the region. Angler effort was determined to be minimal to nonexistent. Compliance with Idaho fish and game regulations regarding stream closures during spawning migrations limited the amount of angler utilization within the tributaries. Low to intermittent flow conditions in the tributaries during open fishing season also decreased angler pressure. Fishing pressure was heaviest by tribal members in late May during peak spawning runs. When runs began to diminish, fishing pressure declined. Fishing pressure was heaviest on those tributaries that were known to have existing runs of cutthroat trout such as Benewah and Lake creeks. Due to the lack of anglers, creel census were eliminated in early August

Lake Roosevelt Fisheries Evaluation Program : Lake Whatcom Kokanee Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka kennerlyi) : Investigations in Lake Roosevelt Annual Report 1999-2000.

Lake Whatcom stock kokanee have been planted in Lake Roosevelt since 1988 with the primary goal of establishing a self-sustaining fishery. Returns of hatchery kokanee to egg collection facilities and recruitment to the creel have been minimal. Therefore, four experiments were conducted to determine the most appropriate release strategy that would increase kokanee returns. The first experiment compared morpholine and non-morpholine imprinted kokanee return rates, the second experiment compared early and middle run Whatcom kokanee, the third experiment compared early and late release dates, and the fourth experiment compared three net pen release strategies: Sherman Creek hatchery vs. Sherman Creek net pens, Colville River net pens vs. Sherman Creek net pens, and upper vs. lower reservoir net pen releases. Each experiment was tested in three ways: (1) returns to Sherman Creek, (2) returns to other tributaries throughout the reservoir, and (3) returns to the creel. Chi-square analysis of hatchery and tributary returns indicated no significant difference between morpholine imprinted and non-imprinted fish, early run fish outperformed middle run fish, early release date outperformed late release fish, and the hatchery outperformed all net pen releases. Hatchery kokanee harvest was estimated at 3,323 fish, which was 33% of the total harvest. Return rates (1998 = 0.52%) of Whatcom kokanee were low indicating an overall low performance that could be caused by high entrainment, predation, and precocity. A kokanee stock native to the upper Columbia, as opposed to the coastal Whatcom stock, may perform better in Lake Roosevelt