2018 Fall pound net trap test fishery
WDFW is conducting a test fishery of a pound net trap, located in Cathlamet Channel, Wahkiakum County, to evaluate the viability of pound net traps as an alternative commercial fishing gear and to evaluate the economic performance of the pound net. In addition, data are being collected on all encountered fish stocks, including stock-composition monitoring, salmonid migration patterns, and collection of Chinook and steelhead genetic samples. The data collected will provide WDFW with information used to ensure that impact limits set under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are not exceeded for Chinook, Coho and steelhead.
Steelhead, non-adipose clipped Chinook and non-adipose clipped coho are released alive immediately after biological data have been collected. Adipose-clipped Chinook and adipose-clipped coho are retained and sold by WDFW to offset costs of conducting test fisheries. If a mortality occurs of a non-retainable fish it is donated to a local food bank.
Test fishing is occurring between Aug. 25 – Oct. 31, 2018.
The pound net trap consists of a series of pilings with netting attached designed to direct fish into a netted enclosure, from which they can be gathered into a livewell, sorted, and the harvestable fish retained while the non-harvestable fish are released alive after biological data have been collected.
2018 Fall pound net trap test fishery preliminary data summary
Date |
# of Lifts |
Total Handle (Chinook) |
Total Release (Chinook) |
Mark Rate (Chinook) |
Total Handle (Coho) |
Total Release (Coho) |
Mark Rate (Coho) |
Total Handle (Steelhead) |
Ad-clip (Steelhead, Total A) | No Ad-clip (Steelhead, Total A) | Ad-clip (Steelhead, Total B) | No Ad-clip (Steelhead, Total B) | Ad-clip (Unknown Stock) | No Ad-clip (Unknown Stock) | Total Handle (Sturgeon) |
Total Release (Sturgeon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25-Sep 1 | 86 | 916 | 516 | 44% | 322 | 196 | 39% | 92 | 41 | 14 | 26 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Sep 2-7 | 42 | 259 | 154 | 41% | 201 | 97 | 52% | 73 | 24 | 12 | 26 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Sep 9-13, 16 | 52 | 332 | 236 | 29% | 389 | 169 | 57% | 142 | 49 | 12 | 58 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 12, 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 20 | 3 | 85% | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 14, 15, 18 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0% | 22 | 4 | 82% | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 190 | 1508 | 907 | 40% | 954 | 469 | 51% | 322 | 122 | 42 | 113 | 22 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Notes:
Chinook and Coho handle numbers are adults only. The shoreside lead was raised (not fishing) for Aug. 25-Sep. 7, and lowered (fishing) for Sep. 9-16.
- Aug. 25 - Sep. 1 2018: 430 adipose-clipped Chinook including 30 jacks, and 130 adipose-clipped coho including 4 jacks sold by agency.
Total Chinook released includes 1 adipose-clip and 1 unknown clip.
Both sturgeon were overlegal size
- Sep. 2-7 2018: 110 adipose-clipped Chinook including 5 jacks, and 107 adipose-clipped coho including 3 jacks, sold by agency.
Total Chinook released includes 2 adipose-clip and 1 unknown clip. Total coho released includes 2 adipose-clipped and 1 unknown clip.
One sturgeon was overlegal size and one was sublegal.
Fishing was unsuccessful on Sep 4 due to continuous marine mammal presence.
- Sep. 9-13,16 2018: 109 adipose-clipped Chinook including 13 jacks, and 220 adipose-clipped coho including 1 jack, sold by agency.
Total Chinook released includes 2 adipose-clip. Total coho released includes 3 adipose-clipped and 1 unknown clip.
One non-adipose clipped coho was donated after being mis-identified as adipose-clipped and retained.
- Oct. 12-13 2018: 20 adipose-clipped coho including 3 jacks, sold by agency. Released 1 Chum and 20 largescale suckers. One adipose-clipped A-run steelhead was donated after being mis-identified and retained
- Oct. 14, 15, 18 2018: 18 adipose-clipped coho sold by agency.
2019 Spring Chinook mainstem test fishery
Mainstem Columbia River Tangle Net test fishing is conducted each spring on the lower Columbia River in Catch Areas 1B and 1C (Zones 2 and 3) to evaluate the current run in regards to timing, stock composition, mark rate and other biological data, and to provide a long-term dataset. This test fishery provides additional information to fishery managers which aides in the in-season management of the recreational spring Chinook fishery.
Steelhead, wild Chinook and sturgeon are released immediately or are placed in a recovery box to aid in collection of biodata then released after the fish recovers. Adipose-clipped Chinook are sold by the agency to offset costs of conducting the test fishery (RCW 77.12.451). Upon request some upriver Chinook may be retained by Columbia River Treaty tribal members to meet immediate ceremonial needs. If a mortality occurs for a non-retainable fish it is donated to a local food bank.
2019 Spring chinook observation preliminary summary
| Date | # of Drifts |
Total Handle (Chinook) |
Total Release (Chinook) |
Mark Rate (Chinook) |
% Upriver (Chinook) |
Chinook/ Drift |
Chinook/ Steelhead |
Steelhead/ Drift |
Total Handle (Steelhead) |
Total Release (Steelhead) |
Mark Rate (Steelhead) |
Total Handle (Sturgeon) |
Total Release (Sturgeon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18 [1] | 15 | 4 | 3 | 25% | 25% | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 5 | 4 | 80% | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 25 [2] | 15 | 11 | 2 | 73% | 36% | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 7 | 7 | 57% | 3 | 3 |
| Apr 1 [3] | 15 | 13 | 2 | 69% | 67% | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 4 | 4 | 50% | 12 | 12 |
| Apr 8 [4] | 15 | 7 | 3 | 57% | 29% | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 5 | 5 | 40% | 22 | 22 |
| Apr 15 [5] | 15 | 75 | 22 | 71% | 45% | 5.0 | 18.8 | 0.3 | 4 | 4 | 25% | 56 | 56 |
| April 21,22 [6] | 12 | 42 | 3 | 74% | 79% | 3.5 | 21.0 | 0.2 | 2 | 2 | 50% | 25 | 25 |
| April 28,29[7] | 14 | 52 | 6 | 85% | 42% | 3.7 | 10.4 | 0.4 | 5 | 5 | 60% | 49 | 49 |
| May 5,6[8] | 14 | 19 | 6 | 68% | 58% | 1.4 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 5 | 2 | 60% | 18 | 18 |
1 March 18 - 1 adipose-clipped Chinook sold by agency. 1 adipose-clipped steelhead donated to food bank.
2 March 25 - 8 adipose-clipped Chinook sold by agency. 1 lower river no mark Chinook donated to food bank.
3 April 1 - 8 adipose-clipped Chinook sold by agency. 3 upriver Chinook (2 no mark, 1 adipose-clipped) retained by Treaty tribe.
4 April 8 - 2 adipose-clipped Chinook sold by agency. 2 upriver adipose-clipped Chinook retained by Treaty tribe.
5 April 15 - 54 adipose-clipped Chinook sold by agency.
6 April 22 - 31 adipose-clipped Chinook sold by agency. 8 upriver Chinook (7 no mark, 1 adipose-clipped) retained by Treaty tribes.
7 April 29 - 48 adipose-clipped Chinook sold by agency. 2 lower river no mark Chinook donated to food bank.
8 May 5,6 - 17 adipose-clipped Chinook sold by agency. 3 steelhead (1 no mark, 2 adipose-clipped) donated to food bank.
2018 Spring Chinook mainstem test fishery
Mainstem Columbia River Tangle Net test fishing is conducted each spring on the lower Columbia River in Catch Areas 1B and 1C (Zones 2 and 3) to evaluate the current run in regards to timing, stock composition, mark rate and other biological data, and to provide a long-term dataset. This test fishery provides additional information to fishery managers which aides in the in-season management of the recreational spring chinook fishery. A test fishing summary can also be found on ODFW's website.
Steelhead, wild chinook and sturgeon are released immediately or are placed in a recovery box to aid in collection of biodata then released after the fish recovers. Adipose-clipped chinook are sold to offset costs of conducting the test fishery. Upon request some upriver chinook may be retained by Columbia River Treaty tribal members to meet immediate ceremonial needs. If a mortality occurs for a non-retainable fish it is donated to a local food bank.
Test Fishery in Zones 2 and 3, using 4.25" mesh tangle net
2018 Spring chinook observation preliminary summary
Date |
# of Drifts |
Total Handle (Chinook) |
Total Release (Chinook) |
Mark Rate (Chinook) |
% Upriver (Chinook) |
Chinook/ Drift |
Chinook/ Steelhead |
Steelhead/ Drift |
Total Handle (Steelhead) |
Total Release (Steelhead) |
Mark Rate (Steelhead) |
Total Handle (Sturgeon) |
Total Release (Sturgeon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18 [1] | 15 | 4 | 0 | 100% | 25% | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 4 | 4 | 75% | 22 | 22 |
| Mar 25 [2] | 17 | 16 | 5 | 69% | 75% | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 9 | 7 | 33% | 30 | 30 |
| Apr 1 [3] | 15 | 14 | 2 | 86% | 71% | 0.9 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 4 | 4 | 50% | 8 | 8 |
| Apr 8 [4] | 16 | 36 | 8 | 78% | 50% | 2.3 | 18.0 | 0.1 | 2 | 2 | 50% | 21 | 21 |
| Apr 15 [5] | 16 | 108 | 15 | 86% | 71% | 6.8 | 8.3 | 0.8 | 13 | 13 | 54% | 12 | 12 |
| Apr 22 [6] | 16 | 129 | 15 | 88% | 67% | 8.1 | 25.8 | 0.3 | 5 | 5 | 60% | 42 | 42 |
| Apr 29 [7] | 12 | 77 | 5 | 79% | 73% | 6.4 | 9.6 | 0.7 | 8 | 6 | 50% | 9 | 9 |
Notes
1 4 adipose-clipped chinook sold by agency.
2 10 adipose-clipped chinook sold by agency. 1 upriver chinook retained by Treaty tribe. 2 steelhead (1 no mark, 1 adipose-clipped) donated to food bank.
3 11 adipose-clipped chinook sold by agency. 3 upriver chinook (2 no mark, 1 adipose-clipped) retained by Treaty tribe.
4 April 8 - 27 adipose-clipped chinook sold by agency. 7 upriver chinook (6 no mark, 1 adipose-clipped) retained by Treaty tribe.
5 April 15 - 108 adipose-clipped chinook sold by agency.
6 April 22 - 113 adipose-clipped chinook sold by agency. 1 upriver no mark chinook donated to food bank.
7 April 29 - 61 adipose-clipped chinook sold by agency. 11 upriver no mark chinook retained by Treaty tribe. 2 steelhead (1 no mark, 1 adipose-clipped) donated to food bank.
Spring chinook Cathlamet Channel research test fishery
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in 2013 adopted the Columbia River Basin Salmon Management Policy (# C-3620), which includes guidance to "seek to phase out the use of non-selective gill nets in non-tribal commercial fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River, and transition gill net use to off-channel areas" by 2017.
In response to these directives, WDFW re-examined potential sites for off-channel "Select Area Fishery Enhancement" (Select Area) for rearing spring chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and determined the Cathlamet Channel to have the most potential as a suitable location. The Cathlamet Channel is located in Wahkiakum County and is a side channel of the mainstem Columbia River running from approximately river mile 38 to river mile 47.
To assess the Cathlamet Channel as a potential Select Area site, research test fishing was initiated in 2013 to determine the run timing, abundance and stock composition, mark rate and other biological data of salmon returning during the late winter and spring time frame. From 2014-2018, spring chinook have been acclimated and released from net pens in Cathlamet Channel. Test fishing is used to evaluate returns of net pen fish to Cathlamet Channel.
Steelhead, wild chinook and sturgeon are released immediately or placed in a recovery box to aid in collection of biodata , then released after the fish recovers. Adipose-clipped chinook are sold to offset costs of conducting the test fishery. Upon request some upriver chinook may be retained by Columbia River Treaty tribal members to meet immediate ceremonial needs. If a mortality occurs for a non-retainable fish it is donated to a local food bank.
Test fishing typically occurs on Mondays and Thursdays from late February through early May.
2018 Cathlamet Channel spring chinook preliminary research data summary
Date |
# of Drifts |
Total Handle (Chinook) |
Total Release (Chinook) |
Mark Rate (Chinook) |
% Upriver (Chinook) | Chinook / Drift |
Total Handle (Steelhead) |
Total Release (Steelhead) |
Mark Rate (Steelhead) |
Total Handle (Sturgeon) |
Total Release (Sturgeon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 26-28 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0.00 | 1 | 1 | 0% | 1 | 1 |
| Mar. 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0.00 | 2 | 2 | 50% | 2 | 2 |
| Mar. 12 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 100% | 0% | 0.13 | 5 | 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 |
| Mar. 15 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 100% | 100% | 0.13 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 2 |
| Mar. 19 [1] | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0.00 | 2 | 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 |
| Mar. 22 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 50% | 0% | 0.25 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 1 |
| Mar. 26 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 25% | 0% | 1.00 | 2 | 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 |
| Mar. 29 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0% | 0% | 0.13 | 2 | 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Apr. 2 | 8 | 15 | 0 | 100% | 0% | 1.88 | 6 | 6 | 17% | 0 | 0 |
| Apr. 5 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 75% | 50% | 1.00 | 1 | 1 | 0% | 3 | 3 |
| Apr. 9 | 7 | 31 | 4 | 87% | 65% | 4.43 | 3 | 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Apr. 12 | 8 | 34 | 8 | 76% | 65% | 4.25 | 2 | 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 |
| Apr. 16 | 8 | 23 | 3 | 87% | 74% | 2.88 | 5 | 5 | 60% | 1 | 1 |
| Apr. 19 | 8 | 65 | 5 | 92% | 72% | 8.13 | 2 | 2 | 50% | 1 | 1 |
| Apr. 23 | 8 | 40 | 5 | 88% | 65% | 5.00 | 6 | 6 | 50% | 3 | 3 |
| Apr. 25 2 | 8 | 41 | 4 | 85% | 63% | 5.13 | 3 | 3 | 67% | 4 | 4 |
| Apr. 30 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 94% | 59% | 4.25 | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 |
| May 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 100% | 67% | 0.75 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 133 | 290 | 36 | 87% | 67% | 43 | 42 | 44% | 19 | 19 |
Notes
1 1 adipose-clipped steelhead donated to food bank.
2 1 lower river, no mark chinook and 1 upriver, no mark chinook donated to food bank.
Through May 7, 252 adipose-clipped chinook sold by the agency.