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• 1481. [Article] Warner Valley Fish Investigations- Warner Suckers Progress Reports 2008

  Abstract -- The Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis) is endemic to the Warner Valley, an endorheic subbasin of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada. This species was historically ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Warner Valley Fish Investigations- Warner Suckers Progress Reports 2008 Abstract -- The Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis) is endemic to the Warner Valley, an endorheic subbasin of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada. This species was historically abundant and its historical range includes three permanent lakes (Hart, Crump, and Pelican), several ephemeral lakes, a network of sloughs and diversion canals, and three major tributary drainages (Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks). Warner sucker abundance and distribution has declined over the past century and it was federally listed as threatened in 1985 due to habitat fragmentation and threats posed by the proliferation of piscivorous non-native game fishes (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). The Warner Valley is a northeast-southwest trending endorheic basin which extends approximately 90 km (Figure 1). The elevation of the valley floor is approximately 1,370 m and the basin is bound by fault block escarpments, the Warner Rim on the west and Hart Mountain and Poker Jim Ridge on the east. The Warner basin was formed during the middle Tertiary and late Quaternary geologic periods as a result of volcanic and tectonic activity (Baldwin 1976). Abundant precipitation during the Pleistocene Epoch resulted in the formation of Pluvial Lake Warner (Hubbs and Miller 1948). At its maximum extent approximately 11,000 years ago, the lake reached approximately 100 m in depth and 1,300 km2 in area (Snyder et al. 1964, Weide 1975). In 2008, precipitation and snow pack were near average and Hart and Crump Lakes never filled completely. In 2007, Crump Lake water levels were very low with less than a quarter of the surface area wetted during the winter. Both lakes have been watered continuously since 1993. The Warner sucker inhabits the lakes and low gradient stream reaches of the Warner Valley. Two life history forms are present that comprise the metapopulation of Warner suckers: lake and stream morphs. The lake suckers are lacustrine adfluvial or potamodromous fish which normally spawn in the streams. However, upstream migration may be blocked by low stream flows during dry water years or by irrigation diversion dams and spawning may occur in nearshore areas of the lakes (White et al. 1990). The stream suckers inhabit and spawn in the three major tributary drainages (Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks). Large lake-dwelling populations of introduced fishes in the lakes likely reduce sucker recruitment by predation on young suckers (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). The Recovery Plan for the Threatened and Rare Native Fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) sets recovery criteria for delisting the species. These criteria require that (1) a self-sustaining metapopulation is distributed throughout the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages, and in Pelican, Crump, and Hart Lakes, (2) passage is restored within and among the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages so that the individual populations of Warner suckers can function as a metapopulation, and (3) no threats exist that would likely threaten the survival of the species over a significant portion of its range. In 2008, we conducted investigations in Hart and Crump Lakes to quantify the abundance and distribution of Warner suckers, to search for evidence of recent recruitment, and to estimate sucker abundance relative to nonnative fish abundance. In addition we investigated growth and movement patterns. We used Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagged suckers to determine growth rates and movements, tracked radio-tagged suckers to document seasonal spawning migrations, fished a screw trap in Twelvemile Creek to monitor downstream movements, and operated a trap at the Dyke diversion dam on Twentymile Creek to monitor upstream movements. Title: Warner Valley Fish Investigations- Warner Suckers Progress Reports 2008 Abstract -- The Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis) is endemic to the Warner Valley, an endorheic subbasin of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada. This species was historically abundant and its historical range includes three permanent lakes (Hart, Crump, and Pelican), several ephemeral lakes, a network of sloughs and diversion canals, and three major tributary drainages (Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks). Warner sucker abundance and distribution has declined over the past century and it was federally listed as threatened in 1985 due to habitat fragmentation and threats posed by the proliferation of piscivorous non-native game fishes (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). The Warner Valley is a northeast-southwest trending endorheic basin which extends approximately 90 km (Figure 1). The elevation of the valley floor is approximately 1,370 m and the basin is bound by fault block escarpments, the Warner Rim on the west and Hart Mountain and Poker Jim Ridge on the east. The Warner basin was formed during the middle Tertiary and late Quaternary geologic periods as a result of volcanic and tectonic activity (Baldwin 1976). Abundant precipitation during the Pleistocene Epoch resulted in the formation of Pluvial Lake Warner (Hubbs and Miller 1948). At its maximum extent approximately 11,000 years ago, the lake reached approximately 100 m in depth and 1,300 km2 in area (Snyder et al. 1964, Weide 1975). In 2008, precipitation and snow pack were near average and Hart and Crump Lakes never filled completely. In 2007, Crump Lake water levels were very low with less than a quarter of the surface area wetted during the winter. Both lakes have been watered continuously since 1993. The Warner sucker inhabits the lakes and low gradient stream reaches of the Warner Valley. Two life history forms are present that comprise the metapopulation of Warner suckers: lake and stream morphs. The lake suckers are lacustrine adfluvial or potamodromous fish which normally spawn in the streams. However, upstream migration may be blocked by low stream flows during dry water years or by irrigation diversion dams and spawning may occur in nearshore areas of the lakes (White et al. 1990). The stream suckers inhabit and spawn in the three major tributary drainages (Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks). Large lake-dwelling populations of introduced fishes in the lakes likely reduce sucker recruitment by predation on young suckers (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). The Recovery Plan for the Threatened and Rare Native Fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) sets recovery criteria for delisting the species. These criteria require that (1) a self-sustaining metapopulation is distributed throughout the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages, and in Pelican, Crump, and Hart Lakes, (2) passage is restored within and among the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages so that the individual populations of Warner suckers can function as a metapopulation, and (3) no threats exist that would likely threaten the survival of the species over a significant portion of its range. In 2008, we conducted investigations in Hart and Crump Lakes to quantify the abundance and distribution of Warner suckers, to search for evidence of recent recruitment, and to estimate sucker abundance relative to nonnative fish abundance. In addition we investigated growth and movement patterns. We used Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagged suckers to determine growth rates and movements, tracked radio-tagged suckers to document seasonal spawning migrations, fished a screw trap in Twelvemile Creek to monitor downstream movements, and operated a trap at the Dyke diversion dam on Twentymile Creek to monitor upstream movements. Close

• 1482. [Article] Information Report 2018-02: Relative Performance of Alsea Hatchery Winter Steelhead Produced from Traditional and Wild Broodstocks

  Abstract -- The Alsea River, on the central Oregon coast, historically boasted a premier winter steelhead Oncorhychus mykiss fishery, with harvest estimates exceeding 10,000 fish (hatchery and wild combined) ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Information Report 2018-02: Relative Performance of Alsea Hatchery Winter Steelhead Produced from Traditional and Wild Broodstocks Abstract -- The Alsea River, on the central Oregon coast, historically boasted a premier winter steelhead Oncorhychus mykiss fishery, with harvest estimates exceeding 10,000 fish (hatchery and wild combined) between years 1963-85. By the early 1990s, the hatchery program had experienced a precipitous decline in adult return rates and harvest estimates, which prompted a change in management. Beginning in 2001, two winter steelhead broodstocks were used for smolt production: 1) a new broodstock comprised by “wild”, native steelhead returning to the basin and 2) the “traditional” segregated hatchery broodstock. To evaluate performance of these two broodstocks, three groups of differentially marked smolts were released into the Alsea River during each of three years (2012-2014). Results from creel surveys and trap monitoring (based on 2-salt returns) indicate that the wild broodstock had a longer more uniform run timing versus early season (December) front loading of the traditional stock, fewer detections of Alsea stock steelhead at non-release trapping sites at <7% over 3 seasons, greater harvest 3 out of 4 months sampled each season, and in-river harvest up to a 3:1 ratio over the “traditional” stock. The effectiveness of a lower river smolt release strategy to elicit a prolonged sport fishery in the lower river was assessed and found to provide minimal harvest to lower river anglers and had the lowest total adult return rate (harvest + trap catch) of all groups at <1% in each of the three years. Title: Information Report 2018-02: Relative Performance of Alsea Hatchery Winter Steelhead Produced from Traditional and Wild Broodstocks Abstract -- The Alsea River, on the central Oregon coast, historically boasted a premier winter steelhead Oncorhychus mykiss fishery, with harvest estimates exceeding 10,000 fish (hatchery and wild combined) between years 1963-85. By the early 1990s, the hatchery program had experienced a precipitous decline in adult return rates and harvest estimates, which prompted a change in management. Beginning in 2001, two winter steelhead broodstocks were used for smolt production: 1) a new broodstock comprised by “wild”, native steelhead returning to the basin and 2) the “traditional” segregated hatchery broodstock. To evaluate performance of these two broodstocks, three groups of differentially marked smolts were released into the Alsea River during each of three years (2012-2014). Results from creel surveys and trap monitoring (based on 2-salt returns) indicate that the wild broodstock had a longer more uniform run timing versus early season (December) front loading of the traditional stock, fewer detections of Alsea stock steelhead at non-release trapping sites at <7% over 3 seasons, greater harvest 3 out of 4 months sampled each season, and in-river harvest up to a 3:1 ratio over the “traditional” stock. The effectiveness of a lower river smolt release strategy to elicit a prolonged sport fishery in the lower river was assessed and found to provide minimal harvest to lower river anglers and had the lowest total adult return rate (harvest + trap catch) of all groups at <1% in each of the three years. Close

• 1483. [Article] Gilliam, Morrow and Umatilla County Master Plan for Angler Access and Associated Recreational Uses 1967

  Abstract -- All three counties, Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla, are located in the northeastern quarter of the state and encompass an area of 6,524 square miles. The climate of this region is temperate ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Gilliam, Morrow and Umatilla County Master Plan for Angler Access and Associated Recreational Uses 1967 Abstract -- All three counties, Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla, are located in the northeastern quarter of the state and encompass an area of 6,524 square miles. The climate of this region is temperate and semiarid, characterized by low annual precipitation, low winter temperatures, and high summer temperatures. The fishery consists of warm-water game fish and trout. McKay and Cold Springs Reservoirs provide both types of fisheries while the remainder of the impoundments provide angling on stocked rainbow trout. The season is open the entire year on these waters with the exception of McKay and Cold Springs Reservoirs which are closed during the waterfowl nesting period. Since this area has only a limited supply of surface water, emphasis is being put on the construction of reservoirs which would impound runoff waters for angling and other recreation uses. At present, there are only six impoundments within the tri-county area. and these come far from meeting the public demand. An additional 15 reservoirs have been recommended for future development in order to provide adequate public fishing access. Title: Gilliam, Morrow and Umatilla County Master Plan for Angler Access and Associated Recreational Uses 1967 Abstract -- All three counties, Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla, are located in the northeastern quarter of the state and encompass an area of 6,524 square miles. The climate of this region is temperate and semiarid, characterized by low annual precipitation, low winter temperatures, and high summer temperatures. The fishery consists of warm-water game fish and trout. McKay and Cold Springs Reservoirs provide both types of fisheries while the remainder of the impoundments provide angling on stocked rainbow trout. The season is open the entire year on these waters with the exception of McKay and Cold Springs Reservoirs which are closed during the waterfowl nesting period. Since this area has only a limited supply of surface water, emphasis is being put on the construction of reservoirs which would impound runoff waters for angling and other recreation uses. At present, there are only six impoundments within the tri-county area. and these come far from meeting the public demand. An additional 15 reservoirs have been recommended for future development in order to provide adequate public fishing access. Close