WDFW Sport Sampling Results:
August 9-15, 2004

Latest Southwest Washington Sport Sampling Summaries [PDF Format]

Salmon/Steelhead -

Cowlitz River - Higher flows last week slowed the steelhead bite for boat anglers. Flows have since been reduced.

During the past week, Tacoma Power and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife employees recovered 847 summer-run steelhead, 349 spring Chinook adults, 24 spring Chinook jacks, 12 cutthroat trout, one chum and one sockeye salmon during five days of separator operations at Tacoma Power's Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery.

Tacoma Power employees transported 314 spring Chinook adults and 24 jacks to the upper Cowlitz River at the Day Use Park in Lake Scanewa during the week.

During the past week, Tacoma employees recycled 317 summer-run steelhead and one cutthroat downstream to the I-5 boat launch, they recycled 309 summer-run steelhead and three cutthroat trout to the Massey Bar boat launch and they recycled 215 summer-run steelhead to the Blue Creek boat launch. In addition, they transported 64 summer-run steelhead to the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery for brood stock.

During the past week eight sea-run cutthroat trout were transported to the Tilton River basin.

River flows at Mayfield Dam are approximately 3,140 cubic feet per second on Monday August 16. Water visibility is over 11 feet.

Lewis River - Some summer run steelhead are still being caught.

Washougal River - No report on angling success. Night closure, non-buoyant lure restriction and moving gear requirement have been put in place from the mouth to the Mt. Norway Bridge at Vernon Road.

Wind River - Effort is generally low. Good numbers of summer run steelhead are present near the mouth.

Drano Lake - Boat anglers averaged over a steelhead per rod including fish released last week. Some fall chinook are also being caught. Effort is high with around 125 boats here early on Saturday August 14.

White Salmon River - Bank anglers are catching chinook early morning or late evenings. Boat anglers are catching mainly summer run steelhead. About 35 boats here early Saturday August 14.

Klickitat River - No fish found in the sample last week but some summer run steelhead and bright fall chinook have been reported caught below the Fisher Hill Bridge.

Based on the difference between steelhead counts at Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam, over 100,000 fish are swimming somewhere in Bonneville Pool or it's tributaries.

Buoy 10 report
Contributed by Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife -

On Tuesday Aug. 17, Buoy 10 anglers averaged a chinook per every 3 rods. Coho catches are increasing. Through August 18, an estimated 15,191 angler trips have produced 3,145 chinook and 1,210 coho.

2004 Oregon and Washington Buoy 10 Sampling Data
Date	Angler trips	Chinook	Coho	Chinook/ Angler	Coho/ Angler
Aug 1	150	8	6	0.05	0.04
Aug 2-8	1,175	57	29	0.05	0.02
Aug 9-15	1,469	330	98	0.22	0.07
Aug 16-22	4,543	1,628	899	0.36	0.20
16-Aug	315	88	35	0.28	0.11
17-Aug	305	105	53	0.34	0.17
18-Aug	457	168	97	0.37	0.21
19-Aug	674	271	183	0.40	0.27
20-Aug	646	286	161	0.44	0.25
21-Aug	1,326	414	150	0.31	0.11
22-Aug	820	296	220	0.36	0.27

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