This work (juvenile electro fishing) is used to determine abundance of resident and anadromous life history types in pre selected locations in the Yakima River.

Biological data is collected on all fish that are PIT tagged (Target: 100%) will include species identification/verification, additional biodata is uploaded to PTAGIS at regular intervals  including length, weight.  

Additional genetic samples, and scale samples will be collected during sampling.   

- Scale samples will be collected on a subset of fish handled and will be sent to the WDFW scale lab in Olympia  (Lance Campbell-WDFW scale and otolith lab in Olympia, WA).  Note: since we will attempt to collect bio data on all fish sampled, the time frame for this milestone will include the entire contract period.  

A sub-sample of scales that are collected from O. mykiss juveniles at the time of tagging will be mounted on gummed scale cards and sent to the WDFW scale lab in Olympia for age verification. Scales will be sent the spring following the collection to allow several months during the winter season to "clean up" and remount scales on gummed cards to facilitate acetate impressions.  Although scale cards will be sent to Olympia for ageing, the timeline the results will be returned will be dependent upon workload in the lab (but generally within a few months).      

- Genetic samples will be collected on all juvenile O. mykiss tagged (collections are made in 28rkms in Swauk Creek, 29rkms in the Middle Fork Teanaway River, 26 rkms in the West Fork Teanaway River, 26 rkms in Manastash Creek, and 32.31 rkms of the Mainstem Yakima River, and tributaries) and will be sent to the WDFW genetics lab at the end of the contract period.  The genetic samples will be banked at the WDFW District 8 field office until sent to the WDFW molecular genetics lab in Olympia, WA for future assessment.  Since PIT tagged smolts can migrate years after tagging, the samples will be run for individual fish that are identified as anadromous smolts if/when they are detected at downstream locations (e.g., mainstem dam; bird colony; trawl survey).  Thus, the results of the genetic sampling will be completed in future contract periods for fish other than those that smolt in the same contract period in which they are tagged.  Thus, the analysis and results will likely have milestone dates in subsequent years.  Genetic samples will be banked under the direction of the WDFW genetics lab in Olympia.  

Future movement data coupled with instream abundance estimates and survival rate estimates will provide a means to estimate proportion of anadromous production in the upper Yakima.