Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Elk River Chinook Sampling Plan 2008
Originally prepared by Ron Williams and Chris Stephens
Introduction
Beginning in 1992 ODFW began a program to develop an Exploitation Rate Indicator Stock
(ERIS) for the mid-coastal wild chinook stocks using Elk River stock as the surrogate. Elk
River stock was chosen as there had been a long term coded-wire tag (CWT) program using a
domesticated local stock. The hatchery began operation in 1968 using only Elk River wild
chinook stock. The first year of tagging began with the 1976 brood year. For 9 years (197180) the agency conducted intensive research studies on this stock, using a mark-recapture
technique to estimate run size. Subsequent to the research, analysis of the mark-recapture
estimates provided a calibration procedure to relate annual monitoring statistics to the run size.
Tagging of a portion of the production from the Elk River hatchery has been conducted
continuously since the 1976 brood, except for the 1978 brood. Monitoring of the run has
occurred every year to varying degrees. During the research phase, intensive monitoring of the
catch, hatchery return and spawning grounds was conducted. Subsequent to the research
project, the same recovery strata were sampled, but less intensively. From 1988-1992 no catch
sampling occurred.
Based on the ocean migration patterns and the continuous tagging and return monitoring of this
stock it is judged to be the most appropriate group for a mid-coastal exploitation rate indicator.
Beginning in 1990 the ODFW increased the tagging rate of smolts from the hatchery
production to meet standards set by the Chinook Technical Committee (CTC) of the Pacific
Salmon Commission. Increased recovery efforts in river were implemented in 1992 and have
continued to the present. The current recovery program includes a statistical creel survey,
complete census of the hatchery returns, and continuation of the intensive spawning survey
meant to mimic the sampling procedure conducted during the calibration phase (1971-80). As
of 2001, the stock has not been formally proposed to the CTC as and ERIS, however, there is
now sufficient information to submit the stock formally to the CTC.
Tagging and return monitoring is funded by a grant to ODFW from the US section of the
Pacific Salmon Commission, administered by the NW Region of the National Marine Fisheries
Service, coordinated by the Marine Resources Program of ODFW. Each year 200,000 chinook
smolts from the annual production at the Elk River hatchery are CWT’d to conform to the CTC
requirements. Tagged fish are representative of normal production from this hatchery, and are
released directly in to the Elk River in the fall of the year, usually in October.
Goals
The goals of the sampling program in 2008 will be: 1) estimate the number of CWT chinook,
by tag code, that are in the terminal run; 2) continue historic data collection to characterize the
chinook run.
Sampling objectives
Specific sampling objectives will be: 1) conduct a statistical creel survey to sample to catch of
chinook; 2) assist with broodstock and hatchery collection tasks to recover CWT chinook, and
other population characteristics; 3) sample the spawning grounds to obtain a sample of
spawning chinook similar to the sample obtained during the calibration period 1972-1980.
Sampling procedures
Creel survey
Task 1.0 Conduct a randomly designed survey of anglers to determine the following for the
sport salmon fishery:
1) total angler hours
2) angler hours on the sample
3) catch per unit effort (fish/hour)
4) number of chinook caught in Elk River.
5) number of CWT fish caught in Elk River
6) stratify the fishery by the following:
a) river areas: 1- 4 (see table 1 for a description of survey areas)
b) angler types: shore, private boat, and guide boat
c) month
Activity 1.0 Conduct randomly chosen pressure count of anglers.
Each sample day two 2-hour pressure count periods will be chosen. These 2 periods won’t be
consecutive, but will be separated by a 2-hour interview period. Each sample day there will be
two combinations of pressure counts and interview periods.
During the pressure counts only enumeration of anglers will be made – no interviews will be
conducted. However, interviews may be conducted during the 2-hour count period after counts
are completed. For area 3 a kayak or pontoon boat will generally be used to tally all shore
anglers, boat anglers and boats; the kayaker must paddle rapidly enough to travel from the
lower boat launch at the hatchery down to the Ironhead take-out (approximately 7 miles) within
the 2-hour count period. Angler effort in area 3 above the kayak put-in must be tallied by the
“shuttle person” simultaneous with the kayak launch. Trailer counts will be used when kayak
counts are not practical or not available, i.e., when river levels are too low (below 3 feet), too
high (above 6 feet) or personnel are not available. During trailer counts only enumeration of
shore anglers and boat trailers will be made. Pressure counts in areas 1, 2 and 4 will be covered
by vehicle due to great distance involved. The surveyor must avoid any activities that would
distract the counts.
Pressure count times will be as follows:
P1 – 08:00 to 10:00 and 12:00 to 14:00
P2 – 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 16:00
Throughout the survey season the number of pressure counts periods must be maintained so
that equal numbers of P1 and P2 periods are sampled. The initial design is set to accomplish
this even distribution but when surveys are canceled due to weather the design becomes
unbalanced. Therefore, periodically during the course of the season, the crew leader may need
to change the assigned pressure period combinations to rebalance the coverage of all possible
time periods. Counts are made onto tally whackers during kayak counts and onto paper when
traveling by vehicle. Counts are later transferred to a paper Effort Count Form and then to an
electronic form.
Activity 1.1 Transfer all pressure information onto paper, then into electronic forms. The crew
leader is responsible for setting up a system to assure that all data is finally residing on the
electronic files in proper format. Crew leader will track coverage of pressure counts and assure
even distribution of all time periods throughout the length of the creel survey.
Activity 2.0 Conduct unbiased angler interviews of a random selection of anglers in each creel
area (1 through 4) and of each angler type that is present. Creel areas surveyed may change
throughout the course of the season depending on river flows and time of season. See table 1
for description of survey areas.
Activity 2.1 Collect angler and catch information, either on paper forms or into electronic
media if available in 2008. Record fork length to the nearest 5mm.
Activity 2.2 Collect snouts from all fish with a missing adipose fin. Each snout will be
identified by a unique ID number and placed individually into a bag with its snout label.
Record date, sex and length on label. Snouts will be stored in a chest freezer located at the
hatchery.
Activity 2.3 Collect scales from all non-adipose clipped chinook. Scales will generally be
mounted on pre-labeled gum cards. However, during wet windy weather scales may be placed
in scale envelopes, to be mounted on said gum cards upon return to the lab.
Activity 3.0 At the end of the day, review data for accuracy and make corrections – don’t wait!
Corrections are best made the same day so errors are not forgotten. Samplers are responsible
for correcting their own errors.
Hatchery Sampling
Task 2.0 Assist with spawning activities at the hatchery and record data from all chinook that
are killed.
Activity 1.0 Record all Elk River chinook that are spawned and/or killed; record collection type
(Broodstock or Pre-spawn mort), finmark type (if any), fork length and sex.
Activity 2.0 Collect snouts from all adipose-clipped chinook. Each snout will be identified by
a unique ID number and placed individually into a bag with its snout label. Record date, sex
and length on label. Snouts will be stored in a chest freezer located at the hatchery.
Activity 3.0 Take scale samples from non-adipose clipped chinook only. Scales will be
mounted on pre-labeled gum cards.
Activity 4.0 Whenever possible, collect snouts from ad+CWT coho that swim into the trap
(scan snout with NMT Tag Detection Wand to detect CWT).
Spawning Ground Sampling
Task 3.0 Conduct repetitive surveys of standard sites. Standard sites, frequency and
descriptions are included in table 2.
Activity 1.0 Conduct surveys on all priority 1 sites on a weekly basis, weather and water
conditions permitting.
Activity 2.0 Conduct surveys on priority 2 sites as often as time permits so that some repetitive
data is available.
Activity 3.0 Conduct surveys on priority 3 sites 2 + times per season. These sites can be
surveyed as time permits so that earlier and peak spawning records are collected; if more time
permits they may be visited 3 times a season.
Activity 4.0 Collect information from carcasses, and record live fish counts in tributary and
upper mainstem surveys. Record data on Spawning Survey forms supplied in the Spawning
Survey booklet.
Activity 4.1 Record header information: date, survey name, visibility, surveyor ID number and
page number. Label the “left” page “1A, 2A, 3A”, etc.; label the “right” page “1B, 2B, 3B”,
etc.
Activity 4.2 Enumerate and record live adult salmonids by species (except in lower mainstem).
Activity 4.3 Record MEPS length, record sex, take scale sample from key area. Scales will
generally be mounted on pre-labeled gum cards. However, during wet windy weather scales
may be placed in scale envelopes, to be mounted on said gum cards upon return to the lab.
Activity 4.4 Denote fish with identifiable missing adipose fins and collect snout. Each snout
will be identified by a unique ID number and placed individually into a bag with its snout label.
Record date, length, sex and survey on label. Snouts will be stored in a chest freezer located at
the hatchery.
Activity 4.5 If caudal area is destroyed and a positive missing adipose cannot be discerned do
no collect snout. In this situation enter code “99” in the mark column and make a note in the
comment field such as “adipose area eaten” or “adipose area decomposed”, etc.
Activity 4.6 If fish has an identifiable adipose clip but the head is missing or snout material is
insufficient for collection, identify the appropriate mark code, but do not collect the snout.
Table 1.
Creel Survey area designations
Area 1. From the mouth up to the lower end of the Big Bend Hole at Knapp’s.
Area 2. From the Big Bend Hole at Knapp’s up to the upstream extent of bank access above
the Hwy 101 bridge.
Area 3. From the downstream extent of bank access below Ironhead boat ramp up to the upper
end of the Big Rock Hole, about ¼ mile above the fish hatchery (any boat below Ironhead is
considered to be in Area 2 until it enters Area 1).
Area 4. From the upper end of the Big Rock Hole up to the angling deadline at Bald Mt.
Creek.
Table 2.
Spawning ground surveys for the Elk River Basin.
Survey
Mainstem surveys
Anvil Cr. To Reynold’s Bridge
Reynold’s Bridge to Ironhead
Red Cedar Cr. to Slate Cr.
Sunshine Cr. to Red Cedar Cr.
Ironhead to Knapp’s
Tributary surveys
Rock Creek
Anvil Creek
Bald Mt. Creek
Red Cedar Creek
Panther Creek
North Fork Elk River
Blackberry Creek
Butler Creek
Purple Mt. Creek
Priority
Survey
Length (mi.) Count Type
1
1
2
2
3
(boat survey)
(boat survey)
(boat survey)
(boat survey)
(boat survey)
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
0.41
0.33
0.21
0.88
1.38
1.82
~0.30
~2.00
~0.25
Dead only
Dead only
Live and dead
Live and dead
Dead only
Live and dead
Live and dead
Live and dead
Live and dead
Live and dead
Live and dead
Live and dead
Live and dead
Live and dead