Redfish Sockeye Return

The first two Redfish Lake sockeye salmon of 2007 have returned to the Sawtooth Valley. Two adults, one male and one female, were trapped in late July at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Sawtooth Fish Hatchery adult trap on the Salmon River in Stanley and taken to the Eagle Fish Hatchery. The Redfish Lake sockeye salmon was listed as an endangered species in 1991 and recovery efforts involving state, federal and tribal entities have been underway since then to preserve genetic resources and prevent extinction. The Redfish Lake sockeye stock is unique to the Pacific Northwest - noted for being the farthest-migrating sockeye salmon, traveling more than 900 river miles, to the highest elevation at 7,000 feet above sea-level, and the southern-most spawning population of sockeye salmon in the world. Hatchery employees trapped a male sockeye 21inches long, 2 pounds 15.7 ounces, and transported it to the Eagle hatchery for pre-spawn rearing and observation on July 23. They also trapped a female, 21.25 inches long, 3 pounds 1 ounce, on July 28. It was taken to the hatchery on July 30 for pre-spawn rearing and observation. Researchers at the Eagle Fish Hatchery don't know the ages of the fish yet, but they have taken scales from the each sockeye and further analysis will indicate the age of the individuals. Fish deposit "growth rings" on scales as they age - similar to growth rings on a tree. Both fish were "unmarked" with no external or internal tags and no fin clips. They are the offspring of one of three potential sources:

• Naturally-spawning, hatchery adult sockeye released for volitional spawning in either 2002 or 2003.
• Hatchery-spawned adults that were released as fertilized eggs in either 2002 or 2003.
• Residual, non-migratory sockeye that spawned in either 2002 or 2003.

Researchers have taken genetic samples from a small portion of fin on both fish, which will be analyzed by geneticists from the Fish and Game Eagle Fish Genetics Laboratory. The results will help determine the most beneficial disposition option for the overall sockeye population. They will either be released to Sawtooth Valley lakes for volitional spawning or incorporated into the captive broodstock program at Eagle hatchery. Juvenile sockeye salmon that leave Idaho swim about 900 miles downstream to the Pacific Ocean and typically spend two to three years in the ocean. Adult sockeye begin their upstream migration to Idaho in the spring, typically arriving in the Sawtooth Valley in late July through early September. Sockeye salmon spawn in late September through October over graveled areas of lake shoals with upwelling water flow. So far this season, 53 sockeye salmon have passed Lower Granite Dam, the most upstream dam on the Snake River in southeastern Washington. Historically, about 50 percent of the fish that make it past this facility, still more than 400 miles away, return to the Sawtooth Valley. Program managers are optimistic that many more of these fish will find their way into collection facilities over the next several weeks. For more information contact: Dan Baker, at the Eagle Fish Hatchery at 208-939-4114; or Mike Peterson or Paul Kline of Nampa Fisheries Research at 208-465-8404.