This project is providing important information about the wild production of Chinook salmon in the Salmon River.

Other projects conducted around the Basin by agencies, universites and other partners are documenting wild reproduction of salmon and trout, and providing managers with other scientific knowledge needed to effectively manage this highly-valued diverse fishery.

Natural Reproduction of Chinook Salmon in the Salmon River, NY

Research Activities and Results of 2004
We are conducting a direct contact creel survey on the Salmon River. The survey began September 7, 2004 and ran through November 28. Three creel agents have interviewed 2,188 parties of anglers through the week of 8 November. The creel survey was conducted by NYDEC Salmon River stewards and data were analyzed by NYSDEC Biologist Dan Bishop.
Angler effort was estimated using instantaneous counts of anglers, vehicles and boats.
Effort patterns were generally similar to those measured in previous surveys with the peak occurring in early October (Figure 9). This generally coincides with the peak of the Chinook salmon run. Total estimated effort to date is 86,445 ± 6,038angler days. Catch and harvest rates were estimated for individual species using a ratio of mean catch rate (i.e., the average number of fish caught divided by the average number of angler hours for all parties interviewed). These data were stratified by week and fishing type (shore access, drift boats, boats in the estuary, tributaries and special regulations fly fishing areas). Chinook salmon have accounted for the majority of the catch and harvest. As of November 8th, the estimated catch of Chinook was 86,433 ± 9,243 and harvest was 24,696 ± 2,352. Steelhead was the second most abundant fish in the catch followed by brown trout, coho salmon and Atlantic salmon (Figure 10). Catch rates for Chinook salmon peaked the week of October 11th (0.33 fish/angler hour, Figure 11). Catch rates for steelhead increased in late October as the Chinook catch rates declined; steelhead is the most frequently caught species in November.
Figure 9. Estimated angler effort (hours) by week for the 2004 Salmon River Creel Census.
Figure 10. Species composition of estimated catches for the 2004 Salmon River Creel Census. .
Figure 11. Estimated catch rates (fish/angler hour) by week for Chinook salmon and steelhead from the 2004 Salmon River Creel Census.

Project Cooperators

New York
Department of Environmental Conservation