Skeena Fisheries Report #SK 96 iiRiver steelhead spawning upstream of the weir and the fact that some steelhead migrate through the weir during fall (Beere, 1997). The primary purpose

Movements of Babine River Summer Run Steelhead Tagged with Surgically and

Gastrically Implanted Radio Transmitters

Mark C. Beere

British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection Environmental Stewardship Division

Fish & Wildlife, Science & Allocation Fisheries Branch Skeena Region

Box 5000 Smithers, B.C.

V0J 2N0

Skeena Fisheries Report # 139

June, 2004

Skeena Fisheries Report #SK 96 ii

Skeena Fisheries Report #SK139 iii

Table of Contents

List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... iv

List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ v

List of Appendices ................................................................................................................... vi

Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction............................................................................................................................... 1

Study Area ................................................................................................................................ 2

General Description............................................................................................................... 2

Fish Populations .................................................................................................................... 2

Fisheries................................................................................................................................. 4

Methods..................................................................................................................................... 4

Fish Capture and Tagging ..................................................................................................... 4

Radio Telemetry .................................................................................................................... 8

Weir Operations................................................................................................................... 11

Data Interpretation............................................................................................................... 11

Results..................................................................................................................................... 12

Fish Capture and Tagging ................................................................................................... 12

Radio Telemetry/Steelhead Movements.............................................................................. 13

Kelt Emigrations.................................................................................................................. 18

Water and Temperature Data............................................................................................... 21

Discussion ............................................................................................................................... 22

Conclusions/Recommendations.............................................................................................. 26

Acknowledgments................................................................................................................... 27

References............................................................................................................................... 28

Appendices.............................................................................................................................. 31

Skeena Fisheries Report #SK139 iv

List of Figures Figure 1. The Babine River watershed. Figure 2. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Babine River enumuneration weir. Figure 3. Number of anglers, angler days and total steelhead catch in the Babine River,

1985 to 1995 inclusive, as estimated by the British Columbia Steelhead Harvest Questionnaire.

Figure 4. Photograph illustrating the insertion of a gastric implanted transmitter (note

the tagging tool, barely visible in the fish’s mouth and orange Floy tag). Figure 5. Photograph illustrating a male steelhead in an anaesthetic bath of tricane

methane sulfonate (MS222). Figure 6. Photograph illustrating the surgical incision in preparation for a transmitter

implant. Figure 7. Photograph illustrating the insertion of the surgical coring tool to facilitate the

exit of the transmitter antenna (to prevent articulation at the suture site). Figure 8. Photograph illustrating the insertion of the surgically implemented radio

transmitter. Figure 9. Photograph illustrating the suturing of a steelhead after a surgical transmitter

implant (note the exit of the transmitter antenna). Figure 10. Photograph of the Lotek SRX_400 telemetry receiver used for fixed station

and aerial tracking. Figure 11. Photograph of the Magellan Nav 5000 Pro global positioning receiver used for

aerial tracking. Figure 12. Photograph of a fixed receiver tracking station (note the receiver, top, 12 volt

deep cycle recreational vehicle battery, bottom, and a voltage regulator, middle right, to guard against power surges from solar power - solar panel not shown).

Figure 13. Photograph of a Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter used for aerial tracking

flights (note the three element Yagi antenna fixed to the high frequency antenna and the GPS antenna fixed above the windscreen).

Skeena Fisheries Report #SK139 v

Figure 14. Length-frequency histogram of radio tagged steelhead. Figure 15. Photograph of a recaptured, surgically tagged, 78.5 cm female steelhead (Fish

#1), tagged October 25, 1995, and recaptured April 11, 1996 (note algae growth at antenna point of exit and necrotic tissue at site of surgical incision).

Figure 16. Pie chart illustrating the fate of radio tagged steelhead. Figure 17. Photograph of a female steelhead natural mortality discovered during spring

tagging/tracking flight (April 12, 1996) in the vicinity of Beaver Flats. Figure 18. Histograms showing the number and timing of Babine River summer

steelhead kelts tagged by angling in October, 1995 (right) and April, 1996 (left) emigrating past the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence, spring, 1996.

Figure 19. Histogram showing the number and timing of steelhead kelts radio tagged

angling in October, 1995 and April, 1996 in the Babine River and in fall, 1995, at the Kitselas fishwheels emigrating past the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence, spring 1996.

Figure 20. Pie charts illustrating the percentage of steelhead kelts emigrating past the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence by tagging session and method (left) and by sex (right).

Figure 21. Daily water temperatures at the Babine River enumeration fence, November 1

through May 2, 1996. Figure 22. Total daily discharge of the Babine River at the outlet of Nilkitkwa Lake,

January 1995 through August 1996. Figure 23. Photograph of a surgically tagged recaptured female (ventral view of fish

shown in Figure 15) showing necrotic tissue at the incision site. Figure 24. Histogram showing the number of steelhead radio tagged in 1994 ocean seine

and Moricetown Canyon fisheries, by angling in the Babine River in October, 1995 and April, 1996 and at the Kitselas fishwheels, fall, 1995, emigrating past the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence as kelts, spring 1996.

List of Tables Table 1. Migration rates of radio tagged steelhead between April 26 and May 24, 1996,

by tagging session. Table 2. Number of steelhead migrating upstream of the D.F.O. weir by tagging

method and sex.

Skeena Fisheries Report #SK139 vi

Table 3. Fate of radio tagged steelhead by sex and transmitter implementation method. Table 4. Number of steelhead considered post spawn mortalities/regurgitations by

tagging method and sex. Table 5. Steelhead kelt emigration rates between the D.F.O. weir and the Exchamsiks-

Skeena confluence by transmitter implant method.

Table 6. Percentage survival of steelhead angled and radio tagged by the Fisheries Branch, Skeena Region, since 1990.

Table 7. Number of radio tagged steelhead from three different Babine River radio telemetry projects migrating upstream of the D.F.O. weir.

List of Appendices Appendices 1-60. Movements of individual radio tagged steelhead as determined by tracking

flights and fixed tracking station data. Appendix 61. Time in anaesthetic bath (until Stage 4), surgery/gastric implantation

handling time, recovery time and release condition (1=best) and comments regarding the condition of steelhead radio tagged in October, 1995.

Appendix 62. Time in anaesthetic bath (until Stage 4), surgery/gastric implantation

handling time, recovery time and release condition (1=best) and comments regarding the condition of steelhead radio tagged in April, 1996.

Appendix 63. Information regarding steelhead radio tagged in October, 1995, and

subsequent locations on aerial tracking flights. Appendix 64. Information regarding steelhead radio tagged in April, 1996, and

subsequent locations on aerial tracking flights. Appendix 65. Information regarding radio tagged steelhead movements in the vicinity of

the Babine fish counting fence, as determined by fixed station receiver and mobile tracking.

Appendix 66. Information regarding steelhead mortalities found on the upstream side of

the Babine River D.F.O. weir, spring 1995. Please note that none of these fish were radio tagged.

Appendix 67. Kelt emigration rates between fixed receiver stations for Babine and

Kitselas fish wheel tagged fish.

Skeena Fisheries Report #SK139 1

Abstract Radio telemetry was used to evaluate two radio transmitter insertion methods and to assess these results for fish tagged at two different times of the year. Conventional angling methods were used to capture wild adult summer run steelhead; a total of sixty fish were radio tagged in the upper 37 kilometers of the Babine River, equally divided between spring and fall using two different methods of radio transmitter insertion: gastric and surgical. Transmitters were monitored using fixed telemetry stations and aerial tracking. The primary purpose of this investigation was to assess whether fish behavior differed between the two implementation times and methodologies. The secondary objectives were to document steelhead movements, including those in the vicinity of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ enumeration weir located near the outlet of Nilkitkwa Lake, spawning locations, and to monitor kelt emigrations for these and five other steelhead, tagged in a separate study. Twenty one (35.0 %) steelhead migrated upstream of the weir and were assumed to have spawned there; of those 21, four (6.7%) entered Boucher Creek while two (3.3%) others were tracked to Rainbow Alley, the stretch of river between Babine and Nilkitkwa lakes. Eight (13.3%) steelhead were believed to have spawned in the mainstem Babine River, two (3.3%) in Secret Creek, one (1.7%) in Hanawald Creek, seven (11.7%) in the Nilkitkwa River and nine (15.0%) in Nichyeskwa Creek. Twelve (20.0%) were suspected to be mortalities or to have regurgitated the radio transmitter; four (33.3%) of these were tagged gastrically and eight (66.7%) surgically and 11 (91.7%) were tagged in the fall while only a one (8.3%) was the result of a spring tagging. Thirty five (58.3%) steelhead were tracked emigrating from the Babine after spawning; 15 (42.9%) were surgically tagged while 20 (57.1%) were gastrically tagged and 15 (42.9%) were tagged in the fall while 20 (57.1%) were tagged in the spring. The results of this investigation suggest that fish radio tagged in the fall have a higher mortality rate than fish tagged in the spring and that there is a higher mortality rate associated with surgically implanting transmitters than with gastric implants.

Introduction Estimating summer run steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spawning escapements for Skeena River stocks is a difficult task; most spawning tributaries are too large and volatile to maintain enumeration weirs on and water visibility is rarely sufficiently clear to conduct visual counts by snorkel surveys or over flights. As the Babine River commences at British Columbia’s largest natural lake, which stabilizes water flows, it is one of the only Skeena tributaries on which it is possible to maintain an enumeration weir in the spring (Figure 1). The weir was constructed in 1946, 1.5 kilometers downstream of the outlet of Nilkitkwa Lake, by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (D.F.O.) to enumerate sockeye salmon adults (Figure 2). However, available data suggests that spring weir counts are not recommended for population estimates due to annual fluctuations in the proportion of Babine


River steelhead spawning upstream of the weir and the fact that some steelhead migrate through the weir during fall (Beere, 1997). The primary purpose of this investigation was to assess whether fish behavior differed between the two implementation times and methodologies: specifically, to determine whether or not steelhead that were surgically implanted with radio transmitters would exhibit different behaviors from those radio tagged with the method used previously (Beere 1991c, Beere 1996, Beere, 1997), namely gastric implants, and if fish captured and tagged in the fall would yield different results than from fish captured and tagged in the spring. The secondary objectives were to document steelhead movements, including those in the vicinity of the D.F.O.’s enumeration weir located near the outlet of Nilkitkwa Lake, spawning locations, and to monitor kelt emigrations for these and five other steelhead tagged in a separate study at the Skeena River fish wheels approximately 12 kilometers upstream of Terrace, B.C., at Kitselas (Alexander et al. 1996).

Study Area

General Description The 99 kilometer long Babine River flows from the outlet of Nilkitkwa Lake, at a point approximately 78 kilometers northeast of Smithers, northwest to its confluence with the Skeena River, approximately 51 kilometers northeast of Hazelton. Twenty seven kilometers (28%) of the lower one third of the river consists of high gradient canyon sections. The Babine River watershed drainage area upstream of the D.F.O. weir is 10 400 km², and at that point the monthly mean discharge ranges from a low in March of 21.1 m³/s to a high in June of 126 m³/s (Sebastian, 1988; Water Survey of Canada, 1989). The majority of the watershed is found within the Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) biogeoclimatic zone; downstream of Gail Creek the river flows through Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH).

Fish Populations In addition to summer run steelhead, sockeye salmon (O. nerka), coho salmon (O. kisutch), chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), pink salmon (O. gorbuscha), chum salmon (O. keta), resident rainbow trout (O. mykiss), cutthroat trout (O. clarki), Rocky Mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) and bull char (S. confluentus) are all found in the Babine River. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has estimated average escapement of sockeye, coho, pink, chum and chinook salmon escapement over a ten year period (1980 to 1989) to be 464542, 2960, 60000, 2, and 863 respectively (Anonymous, 1991). Escapement estimates are not available for the other species listed present. Steelhead, salmon (with the exception of chum, which are rare), rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bull trout and Rocky Mountain whitefish are widely distributed throughout the watershed.


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Figure 1. The Babine River watershed.

Figure 2. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Babine River enumuneration weir.


Fisheries Both First Nations and recreational fisheries exist on the Babine River; First Natives fish for both commercial and sustenance purposes. On average, 474 recreational anglers per year have fished for steelhead during the ten year period between 1985 and 1995, accounting for an average yearly catch of 3678 steelhead (Figure 3; Anonymous, 1995). Other species listed are also captured in sport fisheries although no catch data is available. Current freshwater fishing regulations prohibit the retention of steelhead, sockeye, chum and pink salmon in the Babine; coho and chinook salmon, trout, char and whitefish may be retained. The retention of coho, chinook and sockeye salmon has been permitted in the past (Anonymous, 1994).

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Figure 3. Number of anglers, angler days and total steelhead catch in the Babine River, 1985

to 1995 inclusive, as estimated by the British Columbia Steelhead Harvest Questionnaire.

Methods

Fish Capture and Tagging Wild adult summer run steelhead were captured using conventional angling methods. Steelhead that were less than 60 cm (fork length) or that appeared to be in less than optimum condition were marked at the base of the left side of the dorsal fin with a single coloured, numbered anchor tag (Floy Tags, Washington, U.S.A.) and released. All fish greater than 60 cm that were in good condition were radio tagged. Steelhead receiving gastric implants were held at the surface of the water while the radio transmitter was inserted orally into the stomach with a hollow, flexible plastic tube (Figure 4).


Only surgically tagged steelhead were anaesthetized; steelhead were held in a 50mg/L tricaine methanesulfonate solution (buffered with sodium bicarbonate, 50 mg/L; Figure 5) until the opercular rate was slow and regular and equilibrium was lost (Lotimer, et al., 1994). Fish were transferred from the anaesthetic bath to a v-shaped, closed cell, foam padded trough containing river water. The ventral surface was swabbed with Ovadine solution, and a 2 cm long incision was made slightly lateral of the ventral midline and anterior to the pelvic girdle (Figure 6). A surgical coring tool was used to penetrate the body wall, the core removed and the transmitter antenna threaded through the coring tool casing (Figure 7). The transmitter was then inserted into the body cavity with the antenna directed towards the anterior of the fish (Figure 8). The incision was closed with a 2-0 (3.0 metric), CP-2 cutting needle equipped, polydioxanone sterile suture (Ethicon/Ortho; Figure 9). The sutured incision was then swabbed with Ovadine solution. Both surgical and gastric implanted fish were returned to the water immediately. Time in anaesthetic bath, surgery or implementation time and recovery time were recorded. Condition upon release was rated qualitatively on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being a fish that swam away most vigorously. Radio tagged fish were marked with two anchor tags at the base of the left side of the dorsal fin. Sex, fork length, anchor tag number(s), radio tag number (if radio tagged), colour, and, where applicable, the presence of scars, net or hook marks were noted for each fish captured. Water temperature was recorded using a pocket thermometer (Ertco -35 ºC to 50 ºC). All tagging locations were described using Global Positioning Satellite (G.P.S.) equipment (Canadian Helicopters’ Trimble, model 19437-60, USA and the Fisheries Branch’s Magellan Nav 5000 Pro, San Dimas, California).

Figure 4. Photograph illustrating the insertion of a gastric implanted transmitter (note the

tagging tool, barely visible in the fish’s mouth and orange Floy tag).


Figure 5. Photograph illustrating a male steelhead in an anaesthetic bath of tricane methane

sulfonate (MS222).

Figure 6. Photograph illustrating the surgical incision in preparation for a transmitter implant.


Figure 7. Photograph illustrating the insertion of the surgical coring tool to facilitate the exit

of the transmitter antenna (to prevent antenna articulation at the suture).

Figure 8. Photograph illustrating the insertion of the surgically implanted radio transmitter.


Radio Telemetry Radio telemetry equipment used in this study was obtained from Lotek Engineering Inc. (Newmarket, Ontario). Radio transmitters (model CFRT-3B) were cylindrical, 16.2 mm in diameter, 49.5 mm in length and had a 470 mm long antenna leading from the anterior end of the transmitter which protruded from the fishes’ mouths if gastrically tagged or through the lateral surface of the body wall if surgically tagged. Transmitters weighed 16.0 g in air, 7.0 g in water and were powered by a 3.6 volt lithium battery which had a 450 day life. Transmitters emitted a digitally encoded radio signal at two discrete frequencies: 149.560 and 149.700 MHz. Individual radio tag signals were detected and decoded by telemetry receiver (model SRX_400 with software version 3.48 W16D; Figure 10) used in conjunction with a G.P.S. receiver (Magellan Nav 5000 Pro, San Dimas, California; Figure 11) during helicopter flights or with stationary receiver stations (Figure 12). The receiver was used in combination with a 6 m length of RG-58 A/U double shielded coaxial cable and a three element Yagi antenna for aerial tracking flights. The Yagi antenna was mounted to the helicopter’s high frequency antenna (Figure 13) with elements orientated perpendicular to the surface of the water to minimize radio signal attenuation (Lotimer, et al., 1994). The receiver logged the time, transmitter code and relative signal strength in an internal memory that was later transferred to a computer file.

Figure 9. Photograph illustrating the suturing of a steelhead after a surgical transmitter

implant (note the exit of the transmitter antenna).


Figure 10. Photograph of the Lotek SRX_400 telemetry receiver used for fixed station and

aerial tracking.

Figure 11. Photograph of the Magellan Nav 5000 Pro global positioning receiver used for aerial tracking.


Figure 12. Photograph of a fixed receiver tracking station (note the receiver, top, 12 volt deep cycle recreational vehicle battery, bottom, and a voltage regulator, middle right, to guard against power surges from solar power - solar panel not shown).

Figure 13. Photograph of a Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter used for aerial tracking flights

(note the three element Yagi antenna fixed to the high frequency antenna and the GPS antenna fixed above the windscreen).


Stationary receiver stations consisted of a telemetry receiver stored in a locked, steel, weatherproof, enclosure box mounted on a tree trunk with one or three three-element Yagi antennae mounted as far as 20 m above the ground in an adjacent tree(s). Two stationary receiver stations were installed on the Babine River: one in the vicinity of the DFO weir with antennae directed upstream and downstream of the weir to detect and record the movements of radio tagged steelhead in proximity to the weir and the second at the Babine-Skeena river confluence. The Babine-Skeena confluence receiver was set up with three antennae that were directed upstream and downstream on the Skeena River and upstream on the Babine River. Receivers were externally powered by a deep cycle 12 volt lead acid battery (195 cold crank amps) and operated for 10 days between battery changes. The Babine-Skeena confluence station was augmented with a single 75 watt, 4.4 amp solar panel (Siemens, Procharger 4) in conjunction with a battery charge regulator (Specialty Concepts, Inc., U.S.A.) that ensured operation for a minimum of 14 days between battery changes. Data was logged by the receiver in the same fashion as for the mobile tracks and data was downloaded with a laptop computer in the field during battery changes. In addition to the two Babine receiver stations, three others, installed at the Bulkley-Skeena, Zymoetz-Skeena and Exchamsiks-Skeena river confluences also recorded movements of emigrating radio tagged Babine River steelhead. These stations were installed to track Skeena River steelhead radio tagged in a separate study, but incidentally provided useful kelt emigration data (Koski et.al., 1995). Tagged fish locations were recorded on a 1:50 000 scale map with placements estimated to the nearest 500 m.

Weir Operations The DFO enumeration weir was monitored by B.C. Environment staff from April 23, 1995, 0930 hours to May 27, 1995, 1300 hours, to estimate the number of adult steelhead spawning upstream of the weir and to evaluate the performance of a computerized video fish counting system. During this period fence panels were installed to direct migrating steelhead through two 1.8 m wide chutes into box traps. Traps were opened for discrete, brief periods (usually 30 minutes to 1 hour) of time during which steelhead passing upstream or downstream through the weir were enumerated. The results of this investigation are found elsewhere (Atagi, in prep.).

Data Interpretation As steelhead may have exhibited an interrupted migration pattern and tracking flights were conducted at specific points in time, it was assumed that the calculated migration rates were the minimum possible rates. Migration rates were calculated by dividing the number of kilometers that an individual fish had migrated since last detection, by the number of days since last detection. Determination of spawning locations was subjective. Radio tagged fish that were repeatedly located at known or suspected spawning locations (or locations with habitat values conducive to


spawning) at suspected spawning times were considered to have spawned at those locations. Individual radio tagged fish were not observed spawning.

Results

Fish Capture and Tagging Sixty adult summer run steelhead were captured and radio tagged between river kilometer 62 and 85 on the mainstem Babine River. Thirty fish were tagged in the fall of 1995 (October 25 to 27) while the remaining thirty were tagged in the spring of 1996 (April 10 to 12). Fish ranged in fork length from 60.0 to 100.0 cm (mean 79.4 cm) and the sex ratio was 1 ♂ to 1 ♀ (Figure 14). Sixteen females, equally divided between surgical and esophageal implants, were radio tagged in the fall while 14 were radio tagged in the spring. Conversely, fourteen male steelhead were radio tagged in the fall, equally divided between surgical and esophageal implants, while 16 were radio tagged in the spring.

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Figure 14. Length-frequency histogram of radio tagged steelhead. Surgically radio tagged steelhead were held in the anaesthetic bath for between 2.0 and 5.8 minutes (mean 3.7 ± SD 1.2) before a loss of equilibrium was achieved (the fourth stage of anaesthesia). The time required to perform a gastric implant ranged from 1.5 to 3.6 minutes (mean 2.5 ± SD 0.6) while surgical implants required between 2.7 and 11.1 minutes (mean 5.2 ± SD 0.4). On average, fish receiving gastric implants required less recovery time (range 0 to 0.3 minutes; mean 0.0 ± SD 0.1) than surgical implanted fish (range 0 to 5.3 minutes; mean 1.9 ± SD 1.6); gastrically implanted fish also in better condition upon release (1.1 ± SD 0.3) than surgically


implanted fish (1.9 ± SD 0.8), where 1 is the rank given to a fish in excellent condition and 5 for fish in very poor condition (Appendices 61, 62). A minimum of 4 (6.7%; 1 ♂, 3 ♀) of the sixty fish were found to have hook scars, presumably from being angled and released in the Babine or Skeena rivers. Fish with hook scars ranged from 73.0 to 100.0 cm. A minimum of 2 (3.3%; 69.5 cm ♀, 86.0 cm ♀) were scarred from having encountered either a tidal commercial or in-river (First Nations) gillnet. Three radio tagged steelhead (5.0%; 3 ♀) were recaptured by our study team: a 79.0 cm female surgically tagged on October 25, 1995, was recaptured in the same location and released 65 minutes later; a 70.0 cm female gastrically tagged on April 12, 1996, was recaptured in the same location and released 20 minutes later; a 78.5 cm female surgically tagged on October 25, 1995, was recaptured 13 km downstream and released on April 11, 1996 (Figure 15).

Radio Telemetry/Steelhead Movements Radio tagged steelhead were tracked by helicopter on 17 separate flights (for fall tagged fish; 11 flights for spring tagged fish) beginning on October 26, 1995 and concluding on June 27, 1996 (Appendices 61, 62).

Figure 15. Photograph of a recaptured, surgically tagged, 78.5 cm female steelhead (Fish #1),

tagged October 25, 1995, and recaptured April 11, 1996 (note algae growth at antenna point of exit and necrotic tissue at site of surgical incision).

Fixed receiver stations recorded radio tagged fish movements throughout the study period. The station located at the DFO weir operated from April 19 to June 27, 1996, while the Babine-Skeena station operated intermittently throughout the winter and spring until June 27, 1996. Stations at


the Babine, Bulkley, Zymoetz and Exchamsiks river confluences with the Skeena operated continuously throughout the study period. Steelhead behavior in response to tagging was assessed by determining the change in fish position relative to the tagging location on tracking flights conducted November 28 and February 23, 1995, for steelhead from the October 25-27, 1995, tagging session and April 26 and May 10, 1996, for the April 10-12, 1996, tagging session. Thirty steelhead were located on November 28, 1995. The change in relative position ranged from 10 km upstream of the tagging site to 33 km downstream (mean 6.0 km d/s ± SD 8.7); 23 (76.7%) fish had moved downstream, three (10.0%) had moved upstream and four (13.3%) were in the same location. Thirty steelhead were also located on February 23, 1995; the change in relative position ranged from 25 km upstream of the tagging site to 46 km downstream (mean 3.9 km d/s ± SD 13.5); 13 (43.3%) fish had moved downstream, 10 (33.3%) had moved upstream and seven (23.3%) were in the same location. Twenty nine steelhead were located on April 26, 1996; the change in relative position ranged from 30 km upstream of the tagging site to 26 km downstream (mean 0.8 km u/s ± SD 10.8); 10 (34.5%) fish had moved downstream, 11 (37.9%) had moved upstream and eight (27.6%) were in the same location. Twenty nine steelhead were also located on May 10, 1996; the change in relative position ranged from 40 km upstream to 20 km downstream (mean 9.6 km u/s ± SD 12.7); two (7.0%) fish had moved downstream, 20 (69%) had moved upstream and seven (24.0%) were in the same location. The migration rates of radio tagged steelhead averaged 0.2 km/day and 0.7 km/day between April 26 and May 10, 1996, for October and April tagging sessions, respectively; between May 10 and May 24, 1996, October and April tagged fish migration rates averaged 0.7 and 0.3 km/day (Table 1). Table 1. Migration rates of radio tagged steelhead between April 26 and May 24, 1996, by

tagging session. Migration Rate (km/day) Range (mean±SD)

Tagging Session 26 April-10 May 10 May-24 May

October -4.1 to 2.5 (0.2±1.1) -0.1 to 2.71(0.7±1.1) April -0.7 to 2.9 (0.7±0.9) -6.7 to 2.7 (0.3±1.8)

It was determined from both fixed receiver station data and helicopter tracks that 21 (35.0%) radio tagged steelhead migrated upstream of the D.F.O. weir (Table 2; Appendix 63). These fish spent as little as 2.5 hours and as long as 633 hours (26 days) downstream of the fence before proceeding upstream through the weir. The average time spent downstream of the weir was 222.6 hours. Seventeen (81.0%) of the 21 tagged steelhead that migrated upstream of the weir did so during the period that it was fished (April 23 to May 27); four (19.1%; 2♂, 2♀) steelhead migrated upstream through the weir when the fence was not fishing (i.e. fence panels had been removed). Two of these migrated through the fence after the telemetry station had been installed


but prior to fence panel installation. These fish (86.0 cm ♀, 87.0 cm ♀) spent 0.9 hour and 2.4 hours, respectively, to negotiate the weir while it was not fishing. Nineteen (90.5%) of the 21 steelhead that migrated upstream of the D.F.O. weir emigrated back downstream; 15 (78.9%) did so after the fence panels had been both removed. Two of the radio tagged fish were believed to have died or regurgitated their radio transmitter (93.5 cm ♂ surgical implant; 80.0 cm ♂ gastric implant) upstream of the weir.

Table 2. Number of steelhead migrating upstream of the D.F.O. weir by tagging method and sex.

No. Fish u/s No. u/s Weir by Method No. u/s Weir by SexTagging Date No. Tagged DFO Weir (%) Gastric(%) Surgical(%) Male(%) Female(%)

October, 1995 30 6(20.0) 3(50.0) 3(50.0) 4(66.7) 2(33.3)April, 1996 30 15(50.0) 8(53.3) 7(46.7) 7(46.7) 8(53.5)

Five fish (8.3%; 3♂, 2 ♂) migrated to the weir but were not tracked upstream of it. These fish ranged in fork length from 81 cm to 92 cm; four were gastric implants while one was a surgical implant). These five fish spent as little as between 2 and 33 days downstream of the weir before emigrating, presumably after spawning downstream of the weir or leaving the area to spawn elsewhere. The fate of radio tagged steelhead by sex and transmitter implementation method are shown below (Table 3, Figure 16). Nine (15.0%) migrated into Nichyeskwa Creek and are assumed to have spawned there. These fish were found between 3 and 33 kilometers upstream of the Nichyeskwa Creek-Babine river confluence, in the mainstem Nichyeskwa Creek. Seven (11.7%) migrated into the Nilkitkwa River. Six of these fish were found between 3 and 42 kilometers upstream of the Nilkitkwa-Babine river confluence, in the mainstem (Nilkitkwa east) river; a single fish (65 cm ♂) was found one kilometer up a tributary located approximately 17 km upstream of the Nilkitkwa-Babine river confluence. Two (3.3%) migrated into Secret Creek and are assumed to have spawned there. Secret Creek is a small (2-3 m maximum width), ephemeral (in some years) system. These fish were found between 1 and 3 kilometers upstream of the Secret Creek-Babine river confluence. These were two of the largest steelhead radio tagged (87 cm ♂, 100 cm ♂) in this study. Table 3. Fate of radio tagged steelhead by sex and transmitter implementation method.

Location Number(%) Gastric(%) Male Female Surgical(%) Male Female Total Male(%) Total Female(%)

Babine L. Outlet 15(25.0) 8(53.3) 4 4 7(46.7) 4 3 8(53.5) 7(46.7)Mainstem 8(13.3) 6(75.0) 3 3 2(25.0) 1 1 4(50.0) 4(50.0)


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Rainbow Alley

Secret Cr.

Hanaw ald Cr.

Nilkitkw a R.

Nichyeskw a R.

Mortalities/Regurgitations

Figure 16. Pie chart illustrating the fate of radio tagged steelhead. Eight (13.3%) were tracked only to areas of the mainstem Babine River and may have either spawned in the mainstem or entered a tributary stream to spawn without detection. One (1.7%; 64 cm ♂) migrated into Hanawald Creek and is assumed to have spawned there. This fish was found one kilometer upstream of the Hanawald Creek-Babine river confluence. Of the 21 radio tagged steelhead that migrated through the D.F.O. weir, two (both ♂) migrated to Rainbow Alley, the section of the Babine River between Babine and Nilkitkwa lakes while four


fish entered Boucher Creek. These fish were found between 3 to 16 kilometers upstream of the Boucher Creek-Babine river confluence. Twelve fish (20.0%) were suspected to have died or to have regurgitated their radio transmitter (Table 2, Figure 16). Eight (66.7%) of the 12 fish had received surgical implants and seven (58.3%) were male. Eleven (91.7%) were tagged during in October; only one of the steelhead tagged in April was considered a mortality. Thirteen (27.1%) of the 48 radio tagged steelhead that were assumed to have spawned successfully were believed to have died or regurgitated the radio transmitter after spawning (Table 4). The majority were male (76.9%) steelhead tagged in April (69.2%). Table 4. Number of steelhead considered post spawn mortalities/regurgitations by tagging

method and sex.

Post Spawn Post Spawn Morts. by Method Post Spawn Morts. by SexTagging Date No. Tagged Mortality(%) Gastric(%) Surgical(%) Male(%) Female(%)

October, 1995 30 4(13.3) 3(75.0) 1(25.0) 2(50.0) 2(50.0)April, 1996 30 9(30.0) 5(55.6) 4(44.4) 8(88.9) 1(11.1)

During the spring of 1995, steelhead mortalities that drifted downstream onto the D.F.O. weir were collected. Sex, fork length and carcass condition were assessed. Steelhead were also autopsied to determine the degree to which they had spawned based on the amount of gonads remaining (Appendix 66). Scale samples were also taken to age the steelhead. Sixteen steelhead were collected and fork lengths were determined for 13. Fifteen (93.8%) of sixteen were male. Fork lengths ranged from 78 cm to 94 cm (mean 88.8 ±SD 5.1). The single female steelhead had not spawned; all 15 male steelhead were post spawn mortalities.

One female steelhead, pre-spawn mortality was discovered on mainstem Babine River near Beaver Flats during the April 12 tracking flight (Figure 17). This fish appeared to have been predated upon by a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).


Figure 17. Photograph of a female steelhead natural mortality discovered during spring tagging/tracking flight (April 12, 1996) in the vicinity of Beaver Flats.

Kelt Emigrations Thirty five (53.3%) of 60 radio tagged steelhead were detected at the Babine-Skeena confluence fixed telemetry receiver station in the spring of 1996. Five steelhead tagged in the Skeena River fish wheels at Kitselas also migrated upstream to the Babine River and then emigrated past fixed receiver stations as kelts. Forty kelts were detected passing the Babine-Skeena telemetry station between May 12 and June 26 (mean June 6). These fish passed the station between 0001 hours and 2337 hours (mean 1034 hours; median 1003 hours; mode 1346 hours). Male steelhead emigrated from the Babine River between May 12 and June 26 (mean June 9; median June 9; mode June 7) while females emigrated between May 27 and June 19 (mean June 7; median June 7; mode June 7). Both gastric and surgical implanted steelhead left the Babine during the same time period, between May 12 and June 25 for gastric and June 26 for surgically implanted fish (mean June 6). Steelhead radio tagged in October emigrated between May 12 and June 26 (mean June 7; median June 11; mode May 31); steelhead tagged in April emigrated between May 12 and June 21 (mean June 4; median June 6; mode June 7; Figure 18).


0

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Figure 18. Histograms showing the number and timing of Babine River summer steelhead

kelts tagged by angling in October, 1995 (right) and April, 1996 (left) emigrating past the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence, spring, 1996.

Thirty nine kelts were detected at the Bulkley-Skeena confluence receiver station, 65.4 km downstream of the Babine-Skeena confluence. Thirty five were detected at the Zymoetz-Skeena confluence receiver station, 131.1 km downstream of the Bulkley-Skeena station and 34 were detected at the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence receiver station, 71.4 km downstream of the Zymoetz-Skeena confluence (Appendix 65). Figure 19 shows the number of steelhead kelts passing the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence receiver station in the spring of 1996; these fish were radio tagged by angling in October, 1995 and April, 1996 in the Babine River and at the Kitselas fishwheels. These 49 steelhead were detected at this station between May 26 and July 11 (mean June 16; median June 15; mode June 15). The emigration rates of steelhead kelts tracked between the D.F.O. weir and the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence ranged from 2.3 to 303.5 km/day and increased as the fish traveled downstream (Table 5). A statistical comparison (Student’s t distribution; Zar 1984) emigration rates for both transmitter implant methods revealed no significant differences. Table 5. Steelhead kelt emigration rates between the D.F.O. weir and the Exchamsiks-

Skeena confluence by transmitter implant method.

Emigration Rate (km/day) by Transmitter Implant Method Gastric Surgical

Location min-max (mean+/-SD) min-max (mean+/-SD) D.F.O Weir to Babine-

Skeena 10.8-231.1 (80.9+/-79.8) 2.3-201.3 (58.4+/-74.0) Babine-Skeena to Bulkley-Skeena 8.1-232.0 (61.1+/-58.4) 5.5-258.0 (79.8+/-74.2)

Bulkley-Skeena to Zymoetz-Skeena 6.0-303.5 (76.2+/-75.0) 17.7-267.8 (104.0+/-104.2)

Zymoetz-Skeena to Exchamsiks-Skeena 12.3-217.4 (118.8+/-79.0) 17.4-227.0 (103.3+/-69.9)


0

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Num

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# Males

Figure 19. Histogram showing the number and timing of steelhead kelts radio tagged angling

in October, 1995 and April, 1996 in the Babine River and in fall, 1995, at the Kitselas fishwheels emigrating past the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence, spring 1996.

The majority of steelhead kelts that emigrated past the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence were gastrically tagged (57.1%), from the April tagging session (57.1%), and female (62.9%; Figure 20).

28%

29%

29%

14%

Spring Gastric

Spring Surgical

Fall Gastric

Fall Surgical

37%

63%

MaleFemale

Figure 20. Pie charts illustrating the percentage of steelhead kelts emigrating past the

Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence by tagging session and method (left) and by sex (right).


Water and Temperature Data Water temperatures ranged from 4.5 ˚C to 6.0 ˚C during the October, 1995, tagging sessions and between 1.0 ˚C to 2.0 ˚C during the April, 1996, tagging sessions. Water temperatures recorded during the study period are found in Figure 21 (Water Survey of Canada, 1989). Total daily discharge steadily increased from approximately 20 m³/s on April 2 to a peak of approximately 195 m³/s on June 9, after which it receded gradually (Figure 22; Water Survey of Canada, 1989).

-1

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ine

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er W

ater

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ture

(deg

rees

C) a

t the

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.O. W

eir

Figure 21. Daily water temperatures at the Babine River enumeration fence, November 1

through May 2, 1996.

Study Period


0

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ers/

sec)

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Figure 22. Total daily discharge of the Babine River at the outlet of Nilkitkwa Lake, January

1995 through August 1996.

Discussion The majority of suspected radio tagged steelhead mortalities came from the surgically tagged sample group; eight (66.7%) of twelve suspected mortalities were surgically radio tagged. There were fewer successful emigrants passing the Exchamsiks-Skeena receiver station from the surgically tagged sample group; fifteen (42.9%) of 35 successful emigrants were from the surgically radio tagged group. The single surgical recapture, radio tagged on October 25, 1995, and recaptured on April 11, 1996, is shown in figures 15 and 23. Necrotic tissue was noted around the incision line and algae growth was also evident at the antenna point of exit. Although the incision wound had healed, there were areas of the wound that were suggestive of infection and algae growth was noted. The results of this study suggest that the less invasive gastric implant method produced the best results, although statistical analysis did not confirm a significant difference.

Only one (8.3%) of the 12 suspected steelhead mortalities were radio tagged in April and 20 (57.1%) of 35 successful emigrants past the Exchamsiks-Skeena receiver station were radio tagged in April. Previous study results suggest that steelhead captured and radio tagged in the spring have a higher percentage survival to destination than those handled in the fall (Beere 1991b, Beere 1991c, Beere 1991d, Beere 1995, Beere 1997; Table 6). Stress in fish can disrupt normal metabolic and osmo-regulatory functions in fish and various stresses are cumulative in their affect on fish (Wydoski 1977). Steelhead may be experiencing more physiological stress in the weeks immediately following entry into a riverine environment to achieve the osmoregulatory


shift from salt to fresh water which is further confounded by the stress of handling. The capture and tagging of fish of higher condition factor, as is the case for summer steelhead in the fall, may cause correspondingly higher levels of intracellular acidosis, as was noted with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) by others (Brobbel et al. 1996, Booth et al. 1994). Handling fish at the relatively higher water temperatures present in the fall would most likely not explain the reduced survival in the present study, as the temperatures present during capture and handling operations in the Babine River were significantly less than in studies where warm water temperatures have been shown to exacerbate the physiological disturbances of stress due to angling (Wilkie et al. 1996).

Figure 23. Photograph of a surgically tagged recaptured female (ventral view of fish shown in

Figure 15) showing necrotic tissue at the incision site. Minimum average individual fish migration rates ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 km/day between April 26 and May 25, 1996. Babine River steelhead radio tagged in the fall of 1994 averaged between 0.1 and 2.6 km/day (range: 0.08 km/day to 10 km/day; Beere 1997); these rates are similar to those found by Lough (1979) for steelhead angled between July 30 and August 2, 1978, 96 km upstream of Tyee (1.4 - 1.8 km/day), and Beere (1995) on the Zymoetz River in April, 1994 (0.5 - 2.1 km/day). Spence (1989), who was studying the migrations of steelhead seined in tidal waters in the fall of 1988, and for the most part, in the mainstem Skeena River during the late summer, found that the average rate of travel for radio tagged steelhead less than 10 km upstream of the mouth of the Skeena was 7.5 km/day; up to kilometer 54 he found and average rate of 8.3 km/day; 10.4 km/day downstream of the Zymoetz River, 20.2 km/day between the Zymoetz and Bulkley rivers (individuals as high as 26.2 km/day), as high as 32 km/day upstream of Bulkley River and as low as 1.5 km/day. Spence documented that migration rates were reduced once steelhead had


entered their natal stream in the fall, and that the final migration from an overwintering location to the spawning destination in the spring was slower than most fall migrations, which concur with the results of this investigation. Twenty percent of the October tagging group and 50% of the April tagging group migrated upstream of the D.F.O. weir (Table 6). Five separate radio tagging sessions on the Babine River have shown that between 12.8% and 73.3% (mean 40.8 ±SD 24.5) of steelhead tagged downstream of the weir migrated and presumably spawned upstream of it (Beere 1991c, Beere 1996, Beere, 1997).

Table 6. Percentage survival of steelhead angled and radio tagged by the Fisheries Branch, Skeena Region, since 1990.

Project

Number of Steelhead Angled and Radio Tagged

Percent Survival To Destination

Bulkley River Fall, 1989 23 95.6 Babine River Spring, 1990 15 86.7

Zymoetz River Fall, 1990/Spring 1991

7 100.0

Zymoetz River Spring, 1994 14 85.7 Babine River Spring, 1994 25 72.0

Babine River Fall, 1994 39 51.3 Babine River Fall, 1995 30 63.3

Babine River Spring, 1996 30 96.7 The results of this study strongly suggest that fish enumeration weirs disrupt steelhead migrations as the average time spent downstream of the weir was 222.6 hours for the seventeen steelhead that migrated upstream of the weir during the period that it was fished (April 23 to May 27). Two steelhead that migrated through the fence after the telemetry station had been installed but prior to fence panel installation spent only 0.9 hour and 2.4 hours, respectively, to negotiate the weir when it was not fishing. These findings support those previously noted on the Babine River in 1994 where 50% of radio tagged steelhead negotiated the weir only after it was no longer fishing, and in 1995, where radio tagged steelhead spent as long as five days downstream of the D.F.O. weir (Beere 1997).


Table 7. Number of radio tagged steelhead from three different Babine River radio telemetry projects migrating upstream of the D.F.O. weir.

Steelhead were not directly observed spawning in this study but spawn timing can be inferred from emigration dates at the D.F.O. weir receiver station; steelhead migrated downstream through the weir between April 26 and June 13 (mean May 27; median May 27; mode May 27) indicating that spawning was completed by then. Lough (1983) noted in a study on the Zymoetz River that although spawning took place in mid-May to early June, some remained in the river until July 10. Finding two large (87 cm ♂; 100 cm ♂) radio tagged steelhead in Secret Creek (km 84, Figure 1) was significant. This short (4 km), high gradient stream is thought to be ephemeral during some years but is lake headed. The importance of small and particularly lake headed streams to steelhead can not be over emphasized. Forest harvest operations often overlook small streams, rationalizing their lack of importance due to size as this stream was not previously identified as a system utilized by steelhead. Two steelhead (88 cm ♂; 91 cm ♂) tagged in April, 1994, also migrated into Secret Creek and presumably spawned there in the spring of 1995 (Beere 1996). Some steelhead kelts were found to actively emigrate, not solely drift passively downstream with the current. Minimum kelt emigration rates ranged from 2.3 km/day to 303.5 km/day. The water velocity of the Babine River at Nilkitkwa on June 5, 1996, was 159.3 km/day and on June 25, 1996, the Skeena River at Usk was 283.6 km/day (Water Survey of Canada, 1989). Kelt emigration timing past the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence for steelhead radio tagged in this investigation are plotted with Kitselas fish wheel tagged fish from 1995 and with ocean seine and Moricetown Canyon beach seine caught steelhead radio tagged in summer, 1994 (Figure 24). Emigration dates past Exchamsiks for all steelhead ranged from May 26 to July 11 (mean June 13). Emigration timing for Babine angled fish past the same point ranged from June 2 to June 30, 1996 (mean 15 June); Moricetown Canyon beach seined steelhead ranged from June 2 to June 29 (mean June 12) while Kitselas Canyon fish wheel fish emigrated between May 26 and July 11 (mean June 18).

Tagging Date

Number Radio Tagged Number (percent) of Radio Tags u/s of DFO Weir

April 11, 1990 15 11 (73.3%)

April 14, 1994 25 12 (48.0%)

November 7, 1994 39 5 (12.8%)

October 25, 1995 30 6 (20.0%)

April 10, 1996 30 15 (50.0%)


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Figure 24. Histogram showing the number of steelhead radio tagged in 1994 ocean seine and

Moricetown Canyon fisheries, by angling in the Babine River in October, 1995 and April, 1996 and at the Kitselas fishwheels, fall, 1995, emigrating past the Exchamsiks-Skeena confluence as kelts, spring 1996.

Conclusions/Recommendations 1. Surgical radio transmitter implants are not recommended due to the invasive nature of the procedure, the condition of a surgically implanted steelhead recaptured six months after the initial tagging and mortalities believed associated with this method. Gastric implants are relatively quick, inexpensive, less invasive and appear to produce better results based on the current findings. 2. The results of this and other similar investigations suggest that steelhead are more resilient to handling in spring than in fall. 3. The importance of small and particularly lake headed streams to steelhead can not be over emphasized. Forest harvest operations often overlook small streams, rationalizing their lack of importance due to size. The utmost of care must be taken to inventory and protect these steelhead spawning/juvenile rearing streams when preparing forest harvest plans. 4. The results of this study strongly suggest that actively fishing the DFO weir disrupted steelhead migrations, any further enumeration attempts at this weir or other similar structures should be carefully monitored to ensure that this does not occur. 5. Steelhead conservation efforts should consider kelt emigrations. Managers often focus on upstream migrating steelhead when attempting to mitigate the impacts of interception fisheries.


Acknowledgments This study was conceived by R. Hooton and he participated in the tagging of fish as did Fisheries Branch staff S. Hatlevik, D. Atagi and R. Tetreau and Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ R. Diewert. R. Diewert graciously and effectively demonstrated and instructed the surgical transmitter implant technique. Canadian Helicopters transported Fisheries Branch personnel for tracking flights; thanks to pilots D. Adzich and T. Brooks and engineers T. Grant and T. Torunski. T. Leewondowski and B. Taylor at Lotek Engineering provided telemetry equipment and answered telemetry related questions. D. Harris at Water Survey of Canada, Terrace, B.C., provided water discharge data. LGL Environmental Consultants maintained mainstem Skeena River telemetry stations under contract to the Fisheries Branch. This project was funded by BC Environment’s Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and developed by personnel of BC Environment. The Habitat Conservation Fund was created by an act of the legislature to preserve, restore and enhance key areas of habitat for fish and wildlife throughout British Columbia. Hunters, anglers, trappers and guides contribute to HCTF enhancement projects through license surcharges. Tax deductible donations to assist in the work of HCTF are welcome.

DNUNOTON ERV ISC

TTH IB

RUSTT


References Alexander, R.F., K.K. English and W.R. Koski. 1996. Distribution, timing and numbers of

steelhead returning to the Skeena Watershed in 1995. Report by LGL Limited, Sidney, B.C. for the Fisheries Branch, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.

Anonymous. 1991. Fish habitat inventory and information program. Stream summary catalogue.

Subdistrict 4D Smithers Volume 1. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Vancouver, B.C..

Anonymous. 1994. British Columbia freshwater fishing regulations synopsis, 1994-1996.

Fisheries Branch. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, 2-780 Blanshard Street, Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X4.

Anonymous. 1995. British Columbia steelhead harvest questionnaire 1984-1994. Fisheries

Branch. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Data Warehouse. 2-780 Blanshard Street, Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X4.

Adams, N.S., D.W. Rondorf, S.D. Evans and J.E. Kelly. 1998. Effects of surgically and

gastrically implanted radio transmitters on growth and feeding behaviour of juvenile chinook salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 127: 128-136, 1998.

Atagi, D.Y. In prep. Babine River Steelhead, 1995: Weir operation and field testing of a video

fish counting system. Unpublished M.S. Skeena Fisheries Report #SK ?? ?? pp. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..

Beere, M.C. 1991a. Steelhead migration behaviour and timing as evaluated from radio tagging at the

Skeena River test fishery, 1989. Unpublished M.S. Skeena Fisheries Report #SK-69, 24 pp. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..

Beere, M.C. 1991b. Radio telemetry investigations of steelhead tagged in the lower Bulkley River,

1989. Unpublished M.S. Skeena Fisheries Report #SK-70, 18pp. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..

Beere, M.C. 1991c. Radio telemetry investigations of Babine River steelhead, spring 1990.

Unpublished M.S. Skeena Fisheries Report # SK 71, 17 pp. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..

Beere, M.C. 1991d. Memo to file. Re: Results of flight to Kitnayakwa River - Monitoring radio

tagged steelhead, April 24, 1991. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C.. File No. 34560-27/ZYM/KITNAY.


Beere, M.C. 1995. Movements of summer run steelhead trout tagged with radio transmitters in the Zymoetz River during spring, 1994. Unpublished M.S. Skeena Fisheries Report #93, 22 pp. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..

Beere, M.C. 1996. Movements of summer run steelhead trout tagged with radio transmitters in

the Babine River during spring, 1994. Unpublished M.S. Skeena Fisheries Report #94, 36 pp. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..

Beere, M.C. 1997. Movements of wild summer run steelhead tagged with radio transmitters in the

Babine River during fall, 1994. Unpublished M.S. Skeena Fisheries Report #96, 42 pp. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..

Booth, R.K., J.D. Kieffer, K. Davidson, J.D., A.T. Bielak and B.L. Tufts. 1994. Effects of late-

season catch and release angling on anaerobic metabolism, acid-base status, survival, and gamete viability in wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 52: 283-290.

Brobbel, M.A., M.P. Wilkie, K. Davidson, J.D. Kieffer, A.T. Bielak and B.L. Tufts. 1996.

Physiological effects of catch and release angling in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at different stages of freshwater migration. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 53: 2036-2043.

Koski, W.R., R.F. Alexander and K.K. English. 1995. Distribution, timing and numbers of coho

salmon and steelhead returning to the Skeena watershed in 1994. 35 pp. Report by LGL Limited, Sidney, B.C., for Fisheries Branch, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Victoria, B.C..

Lotimer, J.C. Grant and B. Taylor. 1994. Advanced radio telemetry techniques for fisheries and

wildlife applications. Unpublished. Literature provided at a biotelemetry workshop, February 7-9, 1994, Fairbanks, Alaska. Lotek Engineering, Newmarket, Ontario.

Lough, M.J. 1979. Radio-telemetry studies of summer run steelhead trout in the Skeena River,

1978, with particular reference to equipment and capture methods. Unpublished M.S. Skeena Fisheries Report #78-10 (S.E.P.), 17 pp. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..

Lough, M.J. 1983. Radio telemetry studies of summer steelhead trout in the Cranberry, Kispiox,

Kitwanga and Zymoetz rivers and Toboggan Creek, 1980. Unpublished M.S. Skeena Fisheries Report #80-04 (S.E.P.), 73 pp. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..

Saimoto, R.S. 1995. Babine River steelhead, 1993/94: population estimate and weir assessment.

Unpublished M.S. Skeena Fisheries Report # SK 92, 22pp. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..


Sebastian, D.C. 1988. Steelhead production characteristics of the Babine River and tributaries, 1987. Unpublished M.S. Fisheries Assessment and Improvement Unit, Recreational Fisheries Branch, Victoria, B.C., Fisheries Project Report No. FAIU-09, 73 pp.

Spence, C. R. 1989. Rates of movement and timing of migrations of steelhead trout to and within

the Skeena River, 1988. Skeena Fisheries Report # SK 62, 24 pp. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Smithers, B.C..

Water Survey of Canada. 1989. Historical streamflow summary - British Columbia.

1058 pp. Inland Waters Directorate, Water Resources Branch, Ottawa, Canada.

Wilkie, M.P., K. Davidson, M.A. Brobbel, J.D. Kieffer, R.K. Booth, A.T. Bielak and B.L. Tufts. 1996. Physiology and survival of wild Atlantic salmon following angling in warm summer waters. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 125: 572-580.

Wydoski, R.S. 1977. Relation of hooking mortality and sublethal hooking stress to quality

fishing management. From the proceedings of a national sportfishing symposium. R.A. Barnhart and T.D. Roelofs (Eds.). Humboldt State University, Arcata, California.

Zar, J.H. 1984. Biostatistical analysis. 2nd edition. Prentice-Hall Inc., N.J..


Appendices Appendices 1-60: Movements of individual radio tagged steelhead as determined by tracking

flights and fixed tracking station data. T designates tagging location while S designates suspected spawning location. Babine, Bulkley, Zymoetz and Exchamsiks designations denotes fixed tracking stations located at the confluences of those rivers with the Skeena.


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 25October 26October 27November 28February 23

6-106 March 127 March 28

2

8 April 119 April 1210 April 2611 May 1012 May 18 - weir13 May 24

T

May 30May 31 - BabineJune 2 - BulkleyJune 9 - ZymoetzJune 9 - Exchamsiks

S15161718

34

15

5, 11 12, 13, S

Appendix 1. Movements of surgically radio tagged steelhead #1, 78.5 cm female. Ch. 20, code 7. ___________________________________________________________________________

Appendix 2. Movements of gastrically radio tagged steelhead #2, 74 cm female. Ch. 20, code 8.

Riv

er

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 25October 27November 28February 23March 12

6 March 287 April 108 April 11S April 12

11 April 2612 May 10S May 2414 May 30 - Babine

32

14

5-10 T

4

11-12, S

15 June 6

1510 April 21 - weir

Riv

er

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23




32

14

5-10 T

4

11-12, S

15 June 6



Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


T, 2-3, 8

6 March 127 March 288 April 109 April 1110 April 1211 April 2612 May 1013 May 13 - weir

May 24June 6June 7 - BabineJune 9 - BulkleyJune 10 - Zymoetz

S15161718

15

12

4-7, 9-11

June 10 - Exchamsiks19

13, S

16

Appendix 3. Movements of gastrically radio tagged steelhead #3, 75 cm female. Ch. 20, code 21. ___________________________________________________________________________

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


5, 6, 86 March 28

9

7 April 11

7

2

8 April 129 April 2610 May 10S May 2412 June 713 June 12 - Babine

10T

June 12 - BulkleyJune 15 - ZymoetzJune 19 - Exchamsiks

141516

3 4S

12

13

Appendix 4. Movements of surgically radio tagged steelhead #4, 69.5 cm female. Ch. 20, code 22.


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


T, 2, 10

6 March 127 March 28

12

8 April 119 April 1210 April 2611 May 1012 May 2413 June 6

June 7June 15 - BabineJune 17 - Bulkley

S1516

11

15

June 18 - Zymoetz17June 18 - Exchamsiks18

3, 6, 7, 9

4, 5, 8

13, S


Appendix 6. Movements of surgically radio tagged steelhead #6, 60 cm female. Ch. 20, code 28.

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


2, 3

6 March 127 March 288 April 129 April 2610 May 1011 May 2412 May 30S June 7

11

5-10

T

4

S12

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


2, 3

6 March 127 March 288 April 129 April 2610 May 1011 May 2412 May 30S June 7

11

5-10

T

4

S12


Appendix 7. Movements of surgically radio tagged steelhead #7, 79 cm female. Ch. 20, code 29. ___________________________________________________________________________

Appendix 8. Movements of surgically radio tagged steelhead #8, 93.5 cm male. Ch. 20, code 31.

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T23


T, 2, 3

6 March 127 March 288 April 129 April 2610 May 1011 May 24

5-7

48-11

4Ri

ver

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T23


T, 2, 3


5-7

48-11

4Ri

ver

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


T, 2

6 March 127 March 288 April 119 April 12

11 April 2612 May 10

6, 7

13 May 24S May 3015 June 6

3

45

89

1215

13, S

April 23 - weir10

10, 11

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


T, 2

6 March 127 March 288 April 119 April 12

11 April 2612 May 10

6, 7

13 May 24S May 3015 June 6

3

45

89

1215

13, S

April 23 - weir10

10, 11


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


2, 3

6 March 127 March 288 April 119 April 1210 April 2611 May 10

T, 4

12 May 24S June 714 June 17 - Babine

510

S14

6, 711

12

8, 9

15 June 17 - Bulkley16 June 20 - Zymoetz17 June 21 - Exchamsiks


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23



T, 2, 3

12 June 613 June 27

12, 13

4

5-11

Appendix 10. Movements of surgically radio tagged steelhead #10, 77 cm male. Ch. 20, code 33.


Appendix 11. Movements of gastrically radio tagged steelhead #11, 95 cm male. Ch. 20, code 34.

___________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


6 March 127 March 288 April 119 April 1210 April 2611 May 10S May 2413 May 30

3

11

T, 2

4

14 June 6

S

15 June 13 - Babine5

15


6-10

1314

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


6 March 127 March 288 April 119 April 1210 April 2611 May 10S May 2413 May 30

3

11

T, 2

4

14 June 6

S

15 June 13 - Babine5

15


6-10

1314

Rive

r

45

T23



T, 2

5, 6

Rive

r

45

T23



T, 2

5, 6

Riv

er

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

BabineSk

eenaN

BC

USA

45

T23




32

14

5-10 T

4

11-12, S

15 June 6


Riv

er

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

BabineSk

eenaN

BC

USA

45

T23




32

14

5-10 T

4

11-12, S

15 June 6



Appendix 13. Movements of gastrically radio tagged steelhead #13, female of unknown length. Ch. 20, code 36.

___________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babin

45

T23


6 March 127 March 288 April 129 April 2610 May 10S May 2412 May 29 - Babine13 Ma 29 B lkle

T, 2-4

12

7-9

Rive

r

Babin

45

T23


6 March 127 March 288 April 129 April 2610 May 10S May 2412 May 29 - Babine13 Ma 29 B lkle

T, 2-4

12

7-9

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


6 March 127 March 288 April 109 April 1110 April 12

12 April 2613 May 1014 May 24

T, 4-7

15 May 3016 June 6

18

S June 718 June 11 - Babine

2, 3


8-10

13, 15, 16

14, S

11 April 20 - weir

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23



12 April 2613 May 1014 May 24

T, 4-7

15 May 3016 June 6

18


2, 3


8-10

13, 15, 16

14, S

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23



12 April 2613 May 1014 May 24

T, 4-7

15 May 3016 June 6

18


2, 3


8-10

13, 15, 16

14, S

11 April 20 - weir



___________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23



T, 2, 3

9

6-8

54

10, 11

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23



T, 2, 3

9

6-8

54

10, 11

Rive

r

45

T23


6 March 127 March 288 April 129 April 2610 May 1011 M 14 i

12-14, S

T, 2

16

Rive

r

45

T23


6 March 127 March 288 April 129 April 2610 May 1011 M 14 i

12-14, S

T, 2

16



___________________________________________________________________________


Riv

er

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


6 March 127 March 288 April 119 April 1210 April 26S May 10

T, 2-5

12

12 May 31 - Babine13 June 1 - Bulkley14 June 14 - Zymoetz15 June 14 - Exchamsiks

S10

6, 7

8, 9

Riv

er

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23


6 March 127 March 288 April 119 April 1210 April 26S May 10

T, 2-5

12

12 May 31 - Babine13 June 1 - Bulkley14 June 14 - Zymoetz15 June 14 - Exchamsiks

S10

6, 7

8, 9

Riv

er

45

T23

October 26October 27November 28February 23

6March 12

7March 28

8April 12

9April 26

10May 10May 24

T, 2 4-8 9, 10

Riv

er

45

T23

October 26October 27November 28February 23

6March 12

7March 28

8April 12

9April 26

10May 10May 24

T, 2 4-8 9, 10


Appendix 19. Movements of surgically radio tagged steelhead #19, 81 cm male. Ch. 20, code 77. ___________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

October 26

October 27October 27November 28

6 February 237 March 1289

March 28

10April 12

12April 26

T, 2

May 10

3

8-13 5-7October 264

5

May 24May 30

131414

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

October 26

October 27October 27November 28

6 February 237 March 1289

March 28

10April 12

12April 26

T, 2

May 10

3

8-13 5-7October 264

5

May 24May 30

131414

Rive

r

45

T23

October 26

November 28February 23March 126March 287April 128

9 April 2610 May 1011

T, 2, 3

M 24

8-10 5-7 October 27October 26

Rive

r

45

T23

October 26

November 28February 23March 126March 287April 128

9 April 2610 May 1011

T, 2, 3

M 24

8-10 5-7 October 27October 26




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 26

November 28February 23March 12

6 March 287 April 1289

April 26

10May 10

11May 24May 30

2

7-13 October 27

3

12 June 613 June 27

5 T

4

6

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 26

November 28February 23March 12

6 March 287 April 1289

April 26

10May 10

11May 24May 30

2

7-13 October 27

3

12 June 613 June 27

5 T

4

6

Rive

r

Babine

45

T23

October 26

November 28February 23

March 286April 117April 128

S11

April 26

12May 10May 12 - Babine

3

T, 2

October 27

13 May 16 - Bulkley

12

March 124-6

April 24 - weir9

Rive

r

Babine

45

T23

October 26


March 286April 117April 128

S11

April 26

12May 10May 12 - Babine

3

T, 2

October 27

13 May 16 - Bulkley

12

March 124-6

April 24 - weir9



___________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 26


March 2867

April 128910

April 26

11May 24June 6

3

4-13 October 27

12 June 7

March 12

T, 2

13 June 27

October 26

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 26


March 2867

April 128910

April 26

11May 24June 6

3

4-13 October 27

12 June 7

March 12

T, 2

13 June 27

October 26

Rive

r

Babin

45

T23

October 26


March 2867

April 128910

April 26May 10

5, 8, 9

October 27

March 12

T, 2, 3, 7 October 26

Rive

r

Babin

45

T23

October 26


March 2867

April 128910

April 26May 10

5, 8, 9

October 27

March 12

T, 2, 3, 7 October 26




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 26


March 2867

April 128910

April 26May 10

4

5, 6

October 27

March 12

T, 2 October 26

8, 9

3

11 May 24S June 6

7

S

10

11

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 26


March 2867

April 128910

April 26May 10

4

5, 6

October 27

March 12

T, 2 October 26

8, 9

3

11 May 24S June 6

7

S

10

11

Rive

r

Babine

45

T23

October 27

March 12March 28

April 2667

May 108910

May 24May 30

February 23

April 12

3-12November 28

11 June 612 June 27

Rive

r

Babine

45

T23

October 27

March 12March 28

April 2667

May 108910

May 24May 30

February 23

April 12

3-12November 28

11 June 612 June 27




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 27

February 23March 12

April 1267

April 268910

May 10May 24

November 28

March 28

T, 2, 3 October 27

11 June 612 June 27

4-12

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 27

February 23March 12

April 1267

April 268910

May 10May 24

November 28

March 28

T, 2, 3 October 27

11 June 612 June 27

4-12

Riv

er

River

Babine

keen

aN

45

T23

October 27

February 23March 12

April 1167

April 128910

April 26May 10

November 28

March 28

T, 2October 27


11, S

6

7

3, 5

9

8


13

Riv

er

River

Babine

keen

aN

45

T23

October 27

February 23March 12

April 1167

April 128910

April 26May 10

November 28

March 28

T, 2October 27


11, S

6

7

3, 5

9

8


13




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 27

February 23March 12

April 1267

April 268910

May 10May 24

November 28

March 28

T, 2

October 27

May 3012 June 6

12

3-8

S

S

9, 10Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

45

T23

October 27

February 23March 12

April 1267

April 268910

May 10May 24

November 28

March 28

T, 2

October 27

May 3012 June 6

12

3-8

S

S

9, 10

Rive

r

River

Babine

Skee

naN

45

T23

April 10

April 26May 10

May 307S

June 3 - Babine9

April 12

May 24T, 2, 3

April 11

96, 7, S

4, 5

June 5 - Bulkley10June 10 - Zymoetz11June 15 - Exchamsiks12

6 May 23 - weir

Rive

r

River

Babine

Skee

naN

45

T23

April 10

April 26May 10

May 307S

June 3 - Babine9

April 12

May 24T, 2, 3

April 11

96, 7, S

4, 5


6 May 23 - weir




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

56

T23 April 12

April 26

May 24S8 June 27

April 11

May 10

2, 3

April 10

T

4, 5, 6

S

8

4 April 23 - weir

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

56

T23 April 12

April 26

May 24S8 June 27

April 11

May 10

2, 3

April 10

T

4, 5, 6

S

8

4 April 23 - weir

Rive

r

River

Babine

Skee

naN

56

T23 April 12

April 26

May 2478 June 6

April 11

May 10

T, 2, 3, 6

April 10

5

9 June 27

8, 9

4 April 24 - weir

Rive

r

River

Babine

Skee

naN

56

T23 April 12

April 26

May 2478 June 6

April 11

May 10

T, 2, 3, 6

April 10

5

9 June 27

8, 9

4 April 24 - weir




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

56

T23 April 12

May 3 - weir

May 24S8 June 6

April 11

May 10

T, 3

April 10

8

9

2, 4

101112

June 7 - BabineJune 8 - BulkleyJune 9 - ZymoetzJune 9 - Exchamsiks

5, 6, S9

4 April 26

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

56

T23 April 12

May 3 - weir

May 24S8 June 6

April 11

May 10

T, 3

April 10

8

9

2, 4

101112

June 7 - BabineJune 8 - BulkleyJune 9 - ZymoetzJune 9 - Exchamsiks

5, 6, S9

4 April 26

Rive

r

River

Babine

Skee

naN

56

T23

April 11April 12

May 1078

May 24

April 10

April 26

T, 3

2

S101112

May 30June 6June 7June 9 - Babine4, 6-8, S11

13June 9 - Bulkley

14June 10 - ZymoetzJune 10 - Exchamsiks

5

10

4 April 25 - weir

Rive

r

River

Babine

Skee

naN

56

T23

April 11April 12

May 1078

May 24

April 10

April 26

T, 3

2

S101112

May 30June 6June 7June 9 - Babine4, 6-8, S11

13June 9 - Bulkley


5

10

4 April 25 - weir


Appendix 35. Movements of gastrically radio tagged steelhead #35, 83.5 cm male. Ch. 13, code 22. ___________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

S6

T2

4

April 11

April 26

May 2478

April 10

May 10

2

9

May 27 - Babine

6

7

May 28 - BulkleyJune 2 - Zymoetz

T

4

3 April 21 - weir

S, 3

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

S6

T2

4

April 11

April 26

May 2478

April 10

May 10

2

9

May 27 - Babine

6

7

May 28 - BulkleyJune 2 - Zymoetz

T

4

3 April 21 - weir

S, 3

Rive

r

River

Babine

Skee

naN

45

T23

April 11April 12

May 106

S

April 10

April 26

9 June 3 - Babine

9 June 3 - BulkleyJune 6 - Zymoetz

10


May 24

May 30

T-6

7 May 27 - weir

7, S

Rive

r

River

Babine

Skee

naN

45

T23

April 11April 12

May 106

S

April 10

April 26

9 June 3 - Babine

9 June 3 - BulkleyJune 6 - Zymoetz

10


May 24

May 30

T-6

7 May 27 - weir

7, S



Appendix 38. Movements of surgically radio tagged steelhead #38, female of unknown length. Ch.

13, code 38.

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

6

T23

April 11April 12

May 107S

April 10

April 26

9 June 9 - Babine

9June 10 - BulkleyJune 10 - Zymoetz

10


May 24June 6

T, 2

3, 4, 6

7

5 April 29 - weir

5, S

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

6

T23

April 11April 12

May 107S

April 10

April 26

9 June 9 - Babine

9June 10 - BulkleyJune 10 - Zymoetz

10


May 24June 6

T, 2

3, 4, 6

7

5 April 29 - weir

5, S

Rive

r

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

56

T23

April 11April 12

May 10S8

April 10

April 29 - weir

9 June 6 - Bulkley


1011

May 24June 6 - Babine

T, 2-4

6

4 April 26

S, 5Rive

r

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

56

T23

April 11April 12

May 10S8

April 10

April 29 - weir

9 June 6 - Bulkley


1011


T, 2-4

6

4 April 26

S, 5




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5S

T23

April 11April 26

May 2478

April 10

May 10

9 June 8 - Zymoetz

7June 14 - Exchamsiks10

May 27 - BabineMay 29 - Bulkley

T

5

2

4 April 28 - weir

3

4, S

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5S

T23

April 11April 26

May 2478

April 10

May 10

9 June 8 - Zymoetz

7June 14 - Exchamsiks10


T

5

2

4 April 28 - weir

3

4, S

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4S

T23

April 12April 26 -weir

May 2467

April 11

May 10

8 June 2 - Exchamsiks

6


S

T, 2

3, 4

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4S

T23

April 12April 26 -weir

May 2467

April 11

May 10


6


S

T, 2

3, 4



__________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5S

T23

April 12April 26

May 2478

April 11

May 10

9 June 11 - Zymoetz

7

May 30 - BabineJune 11 - Bulkley

T, 2

S3


4 May 6 - weir

4, 5

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5S

T23

April 12April 26

May 2478

April 11

May 10

9 June 11 - Zymoetz

7

May 30 - BabineJune 11 - Bulkley

T, 2

S3


4 May 6 - weir

4, 5

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

56

T2

4

April 12

April 26

May 247S

April 11

May 10

9 June 7 - Babine

9

May 30June 6

T

4

2


3-7, S

3 April 19 - weir

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

56

T2

4

April 12

April 26

May 247S

April 11

May 10

9 June 7 - Babine

9

May 30June 6

T

4

2


3-7, S

3 April 19 - weir



___________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 12April 26

May 2467

April 11

May 10

8 June 21 - Zymoetz

6

June 13 - BabineJune 14 - Bulkley


T, 2, 35

4, 5

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 12April 26

May 2467

April 11

May 10

8 June 21 - Zymoetz

6



T, 2, 35

4, 5

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T2

4

April 12

April 26

May 24S8

April 11

May 10

9 June 6 - Bulkley

8


T2

10 June 7 - Exchamsiks3-6, S

6

3 April 22 - weir

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T2

4

April 12

April 26

May 24S8

April 11

May 10

9 June 6 - Bulkley

8


T2

10 June 7 - Exchamsiks3-6, S

6

3 April 22 - weir




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 12April 26

May 2467

April 11

May 10 - weir

8 June 10 - Bulkley

7

June 6June 8 - Babine

9 June 13 - Zymoetz

T

5

2


3

4 S

6

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 12April 26

May 2467

April 11

May 10 - weir

8 June 10 - Bulkley

7

June 6June 8 - Babine

9 June 13 - Zymoetz

T

5

2


3

4 S

6

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T23

April 12April 26

May 24

8

April 11

May 10

9 June 25 - Zymoetz

7



T, 2, 3S

5

S

4 April 29 - weir

7

4

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T23

April 12April 26

May 24

8

April 11

May 10

9 June 25 - Zymoetz

7



T, 2, 3S

5

S

4 April 29 - weir

7

4




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 12April 26

May 246

April 11

May 10

3

June 27S

4

S2T

6

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 12April 26

May 246

April 11

May 10

3

June 27S

4

S2T

6

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T23

April 12April 26

May 247

April 11

May 10

May 30S

5

S7

8 June 1 - Babine9 June 4 - Bulkley

10 June 6 - Zymoetz11 June 6 - Exchamsiks8

T, 2, 3

4 May 7 - weir

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T23

April 12April 26

May 247

April 11

May 10

May 30S

5

S7

8 June 1 - Babine9 June 4 - Bulkley

10 June 6 - Zymoetz11 June 6 - Exchamsiks8

T, 2, 3

4 May 7 - weir




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T23

April 12April 26

May 247

April 11

May 10

May 30S

S

8 June 69 June 7 - Babine

10 June 7 - Bulkley11 June 8 - Zymoetz

8

T, 2, 3

9

7


4 May 5 - weir

4, 5

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T23

April 12April 26

May 247

April 11

May 10

May 30S

S

8 June 69 June 7 - Babine

10 June 7 - Bulkley11 June 8 - Zymoetz

8

T, 2, 3

9

7


4 May 5 - weir

4, 5

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 12April 26

May 24

April 11

May 10

6

3

4

T, 2

6

May 12 - weir5

5

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 12April 26

May 24

April 11

May 10

6

3

4

T, 2

6

May 12 - weir5

5



___________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

S

T23

April 12April 26

May 12 - Babine

April 11

May 106

3

T, 2

6

May 13 - Bulkley7

4 April 29 - weir

4, S

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

S

T23

April 12April 26

May 12 - Babine

April 11

May 106

3

T, 2

6

May 13 - Bulkley7

4 April 29 - weir

4, S

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 12April 26

May 24

April 11

May 10S

3

4

T, 2

S

June 66

6

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 12April 26

May 24

April 11

May 10S

3

4

T, 2

S

June 66

6


Appendix 53. Movements of surgically radio tagged steelhead #53, 87 cm male. Ch. 13, code 74. __________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

S

T23

April 26May 10

June 7

April 12

May 245

3

ST

5

June 12 - Babine6

6


2

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

S

T23

April 26May 10

June 7

April 12

May 245

3

ST

5

June 12 - Babine6

6


2

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

S

T23

April 26May 10

June 7

April 12

May 245

3

S

T

5

2

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

S

T23

April 26May 10

June 7

April 12

May 245

3

S

T

5

2




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 26May 10

May 30

April 12

May 24S

34T

S2

June 276

6

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

4

T23

April 26May 10

May 30

April 12

May 24S

34T

S2

June 276

6

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T

34

April 26May 10

May 30

April 12

May 24S

2

TS

June 277

7

June 8 - Babine8June 11 - Bulkley9June 14 - Zymoetz108

2 April 23 - weir

5

3, 4

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T

34

April 26May 10

May 30

April 12

May 24S

2

TS

June 277

7

June 8 - Babine8June 11 - Bulkley9June 14 - Zymoetz108

2 April 23 - weir

5

3, 4



___________________________________________________________________________


Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T

34

April 26May 10

May 30

April 12

May 246

T

June 6SJune 278

3

4, 8

5, 6

2 April 21 - weir

2, S

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T

34

April 26May 10

May 30

April 12

May 246

T

June 6SJune 278

3

4, 8

5, 6

2 April 21 - weir

2, S

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T

34

May 9 - weirMay 10

June 7

April 12

May 24S

T5

2

S

2 April 12

3, 4

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

5

T

34

May 9 - weirMay 10

June 7

April 12

May 24S

T5

2

S

2 April 12

3, 4




Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

S

T2

4

April 26

May 10

May 30

April 12

May 246

T2

June 67June 278

3, 4, S

6-83 May 5 - weir

Rive

r

Babine L.

Nilkitkwa L.

River

Babine

Skee

naN

BC

USA

S

T2

4

April 26

May 10

May 30

April 12

May 246

T2

June 67June 278

3, 4, S

6-83 May 5 - weir


Appendix 61. Time in anaesthetic bath (until Stage 4), surgery/gastric implantation handling time, recovery time and release condition (1=best) and comments regarding the condition of steelhead radio tagged in October, 1995.

Tagging Location Time to Surgery/ Recovery ReleaseCode Sex Length Method 25 October, 1995 Stage 4 Handling Time Time Condition Comments

(FL in cm) (mins) (mins) (mins)Ch. 20 7 F 78.5 Surgical Lobo(85) 1100 hrs 5.5 11.1 3.5 2 Pelvic scar, recaptured April 11, 1996

8 F 74 Gastric n/a 2.5 0.0 1 Daggertooth21 F 75 Gastric n/a 2.0 0.0 122 F 69.5 Surgical 5.0 8.3 2.2 2 Operculum gill net scar27 F 73 Gastric n/a 2.2 0.0 1 Lots of hook marks28 F 60 Surgical 5.3 7.2 0.0 1

29 F 79 Surgical Home Run(84) 4.2 6.2 0.3 1 Recaptured 65 mins later incision ok31 M 93.5 Surgical 1350 hrs 3.8 6.2 1.8 2 Split lower caudal32 F 69 Gastric n/a 2.0 0.0 133 M 77 Surgical 5.8 5.3 2.5 334 M 95 Gastric n/a 1.6 0.0 1 Line marks35 M 77 Surgical 4.0 7.0 1.5 1 Right pectoral missing36 F ? Gastric n/a 1.8 0.0 139 M 94 Surgical 3.5 6.0 0.3 1

26 October, 199541 F 74 Gastric u/s Beaver Flats(74) n/a 2.5 0.0 169 F 78 Surgical 1026 hrs 5.6 9.5 3.5 1 Surgical blood loss; release in fast water

70 M 79 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) n/a 1.9 0.0 1 Scar on left side74 F 81 Gastric 1140 hrs n/a 2.0 0.0 1 Transmitter did not drop77 M 81 Surgical 5.1 6.7 0.379 M 91 Gastric n/a 2.0 0.0 1 Easy drop81 F 73 Surgical 5.1 6.3 0.2 282 F 80 Gastric n/a 3.0 0.0 1 Hook scar; nice drop83 M 92 Gastric n/a 2.2 0.0 1 Tight esophagus

84 M 88 Gastric u/s Shahnagh(66) n/a 3.1 0.0 2 Tight esophagus85 F 88 Surgical 1412 hrs 4.2 4.3 0.3 2 Good surgery86 F 73 Surgical 3.8 5.2 0.5 2 Some blood loss

27 October, 199587 M 62 Surgical Bonanza(62) 4.7 4.5 0.1 1 Good surgery88 M 65 Gastric 1119 hrs n/a 1.8 0.0 189 M 83 Surgical 4.1 3.8 0.3 290 M 100 Gastric n/a 1.5 0.0 1


Appendix 62. Time in anaesthetic bath (until Stage 4), surgery/gastric implantation handling time, recovery time and release condition (1=best) and comments regarding the condition of steelhead radio tagged in April, 1996.

Tagging Location Time to Surgery/ Recovery ReleaseCode Sex Length Method 10 April, 1996 Stage 4 Handling Time Time Condition Comments

(FL in cm) (mins) (mins) (mins)

Ch. 13 7 F 72 Gastric Lobo(85) 1030 hrs n/a 2.6 0.0 1 Tight esophagus8 M 94 Surgical 4.6 4.4 5.3 3 Slow recovery9 M 84 Surgical 3.7 4.0 2.4 1

21 M 84 Gastric n/a 3.6 0.0 1 Easy drop22 M 83.5 Gastric n/a 3.4 0.0 1 Tight esophagus

32* F 86 Surgical 3.0 3.8 5.1 2 Net marks; slow recovery

35* F 87 Gastric Home Run(84) n/a 2.4 0.0 1 Lower caudal worn38 F ? Surgical 1300 hrs 2.5 3.8 0.8 1 Good, fast surgery39 F 74 Surgical 3.2 2.7 4.0 1 Good release40 F 75 Gastric n/a not recorded 0.0 1

11 April, 199641 M 78 Surgical Home Run(84) 2.0 3.8 0.2 3 Excessive bleeding ~1.5 tbsps42 F 74 Surgical 1315 hrs 2.2 3.4 2.0 2 Some bleeding from incision43 M 84 Gastric n/a 3.4 0.0 1 Good release45 M 85 Gastric n/a not recorded 0.0 1 Slipped from hand

46 F 77 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) n/a not recorded 0.0 1 Good tagging; dorsal fin scar47 F 80 Surgical 1500 hrs 2.1 3.6 2.3 3 Minimal bleeding; anal fin scar; loose egg48 M 66 Surgical 3.2 3.9 2.5 2 Eye damage from hook51 M 65 Gastric n/a 2.9 0.0 1 Excellent condition upon release66 F 76 Gastric n/a 3.1 0.0 1 Hook scar67 M 79 Surgical 2.6 5.5 2.0 368 M 80 Gastric n/a 1.8 0.0 1 Lost fish: leader, 2 split shot in mouth70 F 83 Surgical 2.0 3.7 1.5 374 M 87 Surgical 3.0 3.8 3.8 2 Pectoral fin damage

12 April, 199676 F 75 Gastric Bonanza(62) n/a 3.0 0.3 1 Good tagging77 F 70 Gastric 1300 hrs n/a not recorded 0.0 1 Operculum and bottom caudal scar82 M 64 Gastric n/a 3.0 0.0 2 Tag not in too far

78 F 82 Surgical Home Run(84) 2.5 3.4 2.5 2 Good tagging79 M 73 Surgical 1645 hrs 2.3 4.3 0.2 1 Good tagging81 M 100 Surgical 2.3 4.0 3.7 3 Hook scar, deep hook (left hook in)83 M 84 Gastric n/a 3.3 0.0 1 Transmitter in too far?


Appendix 63. Information regarding steelhead radio tagged in October, 1995, and subsequent locations on aerial tracking flights.

Tagging Location Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter HelicopterCode Sex Length Method 25 October, 1995 25 Oct. 1623 hrs 26 Oct. 959 hrs 26 Oct. 1618 hrs 27 Oct. 1030 hrs 27 Oct. 1340 hrs 28 Nov. 1037 hrs 23 February 1500 hrs 12 March 1200 hrs 28 March 1400 hrs 10 April 1000 hrs 11 April 1200 hrs 12 April 1000 hrs 26 April 1100 hrs 10 May 1200 hrs 24 May 1130 hrs 30 May 1200 hrs 06 June 0830 hrs 07 June 1220 hrs 27 June 1130 hrs

(FL in cm)

Ch. 20 7 F 78.5 Surgical Lobo(85) 1100 hrs Home Run(84) d/s Beaver Flats(70) d/s Beaver Flats(68) u/s Shahnagh(67) Triple Header(58) d/s Beaver Flats(71) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) d/s Beaver Flats(70) smolt weir(96) smolt weir(96) fs 25 31 May 0549 hrs8 F 74 Gastric Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) d/s Home Run(83) Home Run(84) u/s Beaver Flats(75) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Shahnagh(62) d/s Shahnagh(62) d/s Norlakes(89) up Nichyeskwa(93+18) fs 25 05 June 0656 hrs

21 F 75 Gastric Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Lobo(85) u/s Home Run(85) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) u/s Nilkitkwa(92) smolt weir(96) d/s Silver Hilton(46) fs 25 7 June 0327 hrs22 F 69.5 Surgical Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Bonanza(62) u/s Shahnagh(66) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) u/s Beaver Flats(73) Beaver Flats(72) Laura's(81) Nilkitkwa confl.(91) up Nilkitkwa(91+21) d/s Shelagyote(48) fs 25 12June 0930 hrs27 F 73 Gastric Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) d/s Home Run(83) d/s Home Run(83) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) d/s Home Run(83) Home Run(84) Lobo(85) u/s Nilkitkwa(92) d/s fence(94) up Nichyeskwa(93+30) up Nichyeskwa(93+30) fs 25 15 June 1252 hrs28 F 60 Surgical Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) d/s Beaver Flats(69) d/s Gail Cr.(38) d/s Gail Cr.(38) d/s Gail Cr.(38) d/s Gail Cr.(38) d/s Gail Cr.(38) d/s Gail Cr.(38) d/s Beaver Flats(71) d/s Nilkitkwa(91) up Nilkitkwa(91+3)

29 F 79 Surgical Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) d/s fence(94) d/s Silver Hilton(48) Silver Hilton(48) Silver Hilton(48) d/s Silver Hilton(47) d/s Silver Hilton(47) d/s Silver Hilton(47) d/s Silver Hilton(47)31 M 93.5 Surgical 1350 hrs Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Lobo(85) d/s Lobo(85) u/s Beaver Flats(76) u/s Clearcut(79) Clearcuts(77) Clearcuts(77) Clearcuts(75) d/s Clearcuts(74) d/s fence(94) up Boucher(96+2) up Boucher(96+5) up Boucher(96+5) up Boucher(96+3)32 F 69 Gastric Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) u/s Clearcut(79) Clearcuts(77) Clearcuts(77) u/s Clearcuts(78) u/s Clearcuts(78) Clearcuts(75) u/s Nilkitkwa(91) up Nilkitkwa(91+38) up Nilkitkwa(91+55+1) fs 25 17 June 1014 hrs33 M 77 Surgical Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) u/s Shelagyote(51) d/s Thomlinson(28) d/s Thomlinson(28) d/s Thomlinson(28) d/s Thomlinson(28) d/s Thomlinson(28) d/s Thomlinson(28) d/s Thomlinson(28) d/s Thomlinson(27) d/s Thomlinson(27)34 M 95 Gastric Hot Shot(88) u/s Lobo(86) d/s Nilkitkwa(89) d/s smolt weir(96) u/s smolt weir(97) u/s smolt weir(97) u/s smolt weir(97) u/s smolt weir(97) u/s smolt weir(97) u/s fence(94) u/s fence(94) u/s fence(94) fs 25 30 May 2337 hrs d/s Skeena-Babine(-84-2)35 M 77 Surgical Home Run(84) Home Run(84) d/s Home Run(83) d/s Home Run(83) Laura's(81) u/s Beaver Flats(73) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) u/s Nilkitkwa(91) up Nichyeskwa(93+17) d/s Beaver Flats(67) d/s Coffee Pot(64) fs 25 13 June 1916 hrs36 F ? Gastric Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) d/s Home Run(83) d/s Home Run(83) Beaver Flats(74) u/s Coffee Pot(65) u/s Coffee Pot(65) u/s Coffee Pot(66) u/s Beaver Flats(73) Beaver Flats(72) u/s Lobo(86) d/s Nichyeskwa(93) up Nichyeskwa(93+25) up Nichyeskwa(93+33) fs 25 19 June 1346 hrs39 M 94 Surgical Home Run(84) Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) u/s Lobo(86) u/s Lobo(86) u/s Lobo(86) d/s fence(94) u/s fence(95) smolt weir(96) u/s fence(95) u/s fence(95) smolt weir(96) fs 25 11June 2019 hrs

26 October, 199541 F 74 Gastric u/s Beaver Flats(74) u/s Beaver Flats(74) u/s Beaver Flats(74) u/s Beaver Flats(74) u/s Beaver Flats(74) u/s Shahnagh(66) d/s Beaver Flats(70) d/s Beaver Flats(70) d/s Beaver Flats(70) d/s Beaver Flats(70) u/s Laura's(82) Home Run(84) fs 25 29 May 0316 hrs69 F 78 Surgical 1026 hrs u/s Beaver Flats(74) u/s Beaver Flats(74) u/s Beaver Flats(74) Beaver Flats(72) u/s Shahnagh(66) u/s Coffee Pot(65) u/s Coffee Pot(65) u/s Coffee Pot(65) Coffee Pot(64) d/s Shelagyote(49) d/s Shelagyote(49)

70 M 79 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) d/s Beaver Flats(71) d/s Shahnagh(61) d/s Hanawald(60) u/s Triple Header(59) d/s Triple Header(55) u/s Shelagyote(51) u/s Shelagyote(53) d/s clearcuts(74) d/s fence(94) d/s fence(94) d/s fence(94) d/s fence(94) fs 25 15 June 0607 hrs74 F 81 Gastric 1140 hrs Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Clearcuts(77) Clearcuts(77) Clearcut(75) Clearcut(75) Hot Shot(88) d/s fence(94) fs 25 31 May 1030 hrs77 M 81 Surgical Beaver Flats(72) d/s Beaver Flats(68) Silver Hilton(48) Silver Hilton(48) Silver Hilton(48) Silver Hilton(48) Silver Hilton(48) d/s Silver Hilton(47) d/s Silver Hilton(47) d/s Silver Hilton(46) d/s Silver Hilton(46) d/s Silver Hilton(46)79 M 91 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) u/s Shahnagh(67) u/s Shahnagh(66) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60) Triple Header(58) Triple Header(58) Triple Header(58) Triple Header(58) Triple Header(58) Triple Header(58) d/s Triple Header(55)81 F 73 Surgical Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) d/s Beaver Flats(69) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60) Triple Header(58) Triple Header(58) Triple Header(58) d/s Triple Header(56)82 F 80 Gastric u/s Shahnagh(66) d/s Beaver Flats(70) u/s Clearcut(79) u/s Beaver Flats(73) d/s Beaver Flats(68) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60) d/s Hanawald(60)83 M 92 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Triple Header(58) d/s Home Run(83) d/s Home Run(83) d/s Home Run(83) u/s Laura's(82) u/s Laura's(82) d/s fence(94) d/s Gail Cr.(37) fs 25 12 May 1640 hrs

84 M 88 Gastric u/s Shahnagh(66) u/s Shahnagh(66) u/s Shahnagh(66) u/s Shahnagh(65) d/s Shelagyote(48) d/s Shelagyote(48) d/s Shelagyote(48) d/s Shelagyote(48) d/s Shelagyote(48) d/s Shelagyote(48) d/s Shelagyote(48) d/s Shelagyote(48) d/s Shelagyote(48) d/s Shelagyote(48)85 F 88 Surgical 1412 hrs u/s Shahnagh(66) u/s Shahnagh(65) u/s Shahnagh(66) Triple Header(58) Coffee Pot(64) u/s Coffee Pot(65) u/s Coffee Pot(66) Coffee Pot(64) Coffee Pot(64) d/s Shahnagh(61)86 F 73 Surgical u/s Shahnagh(66) u/s Shahnagh(65) u/s Shahnagh(65) d/s Shahnagh(60) Shelagyote(49) Silver Hilton(49) u/s Shelagyote(51) u/s Shelagyote(53) u/s Shelagyote(53) d/s Triple Head.(56) Clearcuts(76) up Nichyeskwa(93+5)

27 October, 199587 M 62 Surgical Bonanza(62) d/s Shelagyote(48) u/s Shelagyote(53) u/s Shelagyote(53) u/s Shelagyote(53) u/s Shelagyote(53) u/s Shelagyote(53) u/s Shelagyote(53) u/s Shelagyote(53) u/s Shelagyote(53) u/s Shelagyote(53) u/s Shelagyote(53)88 M 65 Gastric 1119 hrs Bonanza(62) Bonanza(62) u/s Bonanza(63) u/s Bonanza(63) u/s Bonanza(63) u/s Bonanza(63) u/s Bonanza(63) u/s Bonanza(63) u/s Bonanza(63) u/s Bonanza(63) u/s Bonanza(63)89 M 83 Surgical Bonanza(62) Triple Header(58) u/s Hanawald(61) Triple Header(58) d/s Beaver Flats(69) Clearcuts(75) Clearcuts(77) d/s Hanawald(60) up Nilkitkwa(91+4) up Nilkitkwa(91+42) up Nilkitkwa(91+42) fs 25 26 June 0840 hrs90 M 100 Gastric Bonanza(62) d/s Beaver Flats(70) d/s Beaver Flats(70) d/s Beaver Flats(70) d/s Beaver Flats(70) d/s Beaver Flats(70) d/s Beaver Flats(70) Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Secret Cr.(84+1) Home Run(84)

Bold text indicates suspected mortality/regurgitation.


Appendix 64. Information regarding steelhead radio tagged in April, 1996, and subsequent locations on aerial tracking flights.

Tagging Location Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter Helicopter HelicopterCode Sex Length Method 10 April, 1996 10 April 1410 hrs 11 April 1200 hrs 11 April 1800 hrs 12 April 1000 hrs 26 April 1100 hrs 10 May 1200 hrs 24 May 1130 hrs 30 May 1200 hrs 6 June 0830 hrs 7 June 1220 hrs 27 June 1130 hrs

(FL in cm)

Ch. 13 7 F 72 Gastric Lobo(85) 1030 hrs Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Lobo(85) d/s Home Run(83) d/s Home Run(83) u/s fence(95) u/s fence(95) fs25 3 June 0056 hrs8 M 94 Surgical Home Run(84) Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Lobo(85) d/s fence(94) d/s fence(94) d/s fence(94) d/s Gail Cr.(38)9 M 84 Surgical Lobo(85) u/s Lobo(86) u/s Lobo(86) u/s Lobo(86) Home Run(84) u/s Lobo(86) u/s Nilkitkwa(92) d/s Triple Header(53) d/s Triple Header(53)

21 M 84 Gastric Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) u/s fence(95) u/s fence(95) d/s Shelagyote(48) fs25 7 June 2138 hrs22 M 83.5 Gastric Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Lobo(85) Laura's(81) u/s fence(95) u/s fence(95) u/s fence(95) u/s fence(95) d/s Shelagyote(48) fs25 9 June 0150 hrs

32* F 86 Surgical Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Smolt weir (97) u/s fence(95) u/s Gail Cr.(41) fs25 27 May 0607 hrs

35* F 87 Gastric Home Run(84) Lobo(85) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) u/s fence(95) fs25 3 June 0233 hrs38 F ? Surgical 1300 hrs Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Lobo(85) Lobo(85) Lobo(85) d/s Nilkitkwa(91) u/s fence(95) fs25 9 June 1059 hrs39 F 74 Surgical Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Home Run(84) d/s bridge(94) u/s fence(95) fs25 6 June 0925 hrs40 F 75 Gastric Home Run(84) d/s Home Run(83) Lobo(85) d/s Nichyeskwa(92) u/s fence(94) u/s fence(95) fs25 27 May 1107 hrs

11 April, 199641 M 78 Surgical Home Run(84) Home Run(84) d/s bridge(94) d/s bridge(94) u/s fence(95) fs25 30 May 0418 hrs42 F 74 Surgical 1315 hrs Home Run(84) Home Run(84) Hot Shot(88) d/s bridge(94) up Nichyeskwa(93+3) fs25 30 May 0952 hrs43 M 84 Gastric Home Run(84) Lobo(85) Rainbow Alley(96+9) u/s fence(95) u/s fence(95) u/s fence(95) u/s fence(95) fs25 7 June 0438 hrs45 M 85 Gastric u/s Lobo(86) d/s fence(94) d/s fence(94) d/s fence(94) d/s fence(94) fs25 4 June 1118 hrs

46 F 77 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Bonanza(62) Bonanza(62) fs25 13 June 1346 hrs47 F 80 Surgical 1500 hrs d/s Beaver Flats(71) u/s Beaver Flats(73) d/s bridge(94) up Boucher(96+5) d/s Gail Cr.(38) fs25 8 June 1123 hrs48 M 66 Surgical Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) d/s Laura's(80) up Nilkitkwa(91+27) fs25 21 June 0001 hrs51 M 65 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) d/s Beaver Flats(71) Clearcuts(77) d/s Nilkitkwa(91) up Nilkitkwa(91+17+1) d/s Home Run(83)66 F 76 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) u/s Laura's(82) up Boucher(96+16) up Boucher(96+3) fs25 1 June 2259 hrs67 M 79 Surgical Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) d/s fence(94) up Boucher(96+14) up Boucher(96+5) d/s Thomlinson(33) fs25 7 June 1627 hrs68 M 80 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) d/s Beaver Flats(70) u/s Lobo(86) Rainbow Alley(96+8)70 F 83 Surgical Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) u/s Shelagyote(54) d/s fence(94) fs25 12 May 0818 hrs74 M 87 Surgical Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) d/s Beaver Flats(71) Home Run(84) up Secret Cr.(84+3) d/s Home Run(83)

12 April, 199676 F 75 Gastric Bonanza(62) Clearcuts(77) up Nilkitkwa(91+3) up Nilkitkwa(91+37) up Nilkitkwa(91+1) fs25 12 June 1450 hrs77 F 70 Gastric 1300 hrs Coffee Pot(64) u/s Beaver Flats(73) up Nichyeskwa(93+7) Home Run(84)82 M 64 Gastric d/s Hanawald(60) Coffee Pot(64) Hanawald confl.(61) up Hanawald(61+1) u/s Kisgegas(14)

78 F 82 Surgical Home Run(84) d/s Nichyeskwa(92) d/s Nichyeskwa(92) up Nichyeskwa(93+16) up Nichyeskwa(93+22) Nilkitkwa confl.(91) fs25 8 June 0736 hrs79 M 73 Surgical 1645 hrs Triple Header(58) d/s bridge(94) u/s fence(95) u/s fence(95) d/s smolt weir(96) d/s fence(94)81 M 100 Surgical d/s Hanawald(59) d/s fence(94) up Nichyeskwa(93+26) up Nichyeskwa(93+25)83 M 84 Gastric Lobo(85) d/s fence(94) d/s fence(94) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72) Beaver Flats(72)

* denotes used transmitterBold text indicates suspected mortality/regurgitation.


Appendix 65. Information regarding radio tagged steelhead movements in the vicinity of the Babine fish counting fence, as determined by fixed station receiver and mobile tracking.

Chan. Code Tag Date Sex FL(cm) Method Tagging Location Babine Fence 1st Detection Time D/S Fence (hours) Passed U/S Passed D/S Babine Fence Last Detection

Ch. 20 7 Oct 25 95 F 78.5 Surgical Lobo(85) 1100 hrs 18 May 2206 hrs 63.8 21 May 1453 hrs 30 May 1500 hrs 30 May 1544 hrs8 F 74 Gastric21 F 75 Gastric 13 May 0849 hrs 78.2 16 May 1503 hrs 29 May 1201 hrs 29 May 1202 hrs22 F 69.5 Surgical 13 May 1935 hrs27 F 73 Gastric31 M 93.5 Surgical Home Run(84) 1350 hrs 23 April 1644 hrs 311.4 6 May 1607 hrs mortality32 F 69 Gastric34 M 95 Gastric 21 April 2252 hrs < 23 Feb 27 May 2249 hrs 28 May 0405 hrs35 M 77 Surgical36 F ? Gastric39 M 94 Surgical 20 April 0243 hrs 346.4 4 May 1304 hrs 9 June 0903 11 June 0913 hrs41 Oct 26 95 F 74 Gastric u/s Beaver Flats(74)70 M 79 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) 1140 hrs 14 May 1025 hrs 7 June 0821 hrs 13 June 0527 hrs 13 June 1150 hrs74 F 81 Gastric83 M 92 Gastric 26 April 1126 hrs89 Oct 27 95 M 83 Surgical Bonanza(62) 1119 hrs

Ch. 13 7 Apr 10 96 F 72 Gastric Lobo(85) 1030 hrs 23 May 1855 hrs 16.7 24 May 1135 hrs 30 May 1817 hrs 31 May 0923 hrs21 M 84 Gastric 3 May 0244 hrs 37.7 4 May 1628 hrs 3 June 1135 hrs 5 June 1824 hrs22 M 83.5 Gastric 25 April 2103 hrs 307.6 8 May 1641 hrs 7 June 0432 hrs 7 June 0432 hrs32* F 86 Surgical 21 April 0012 hrs 21 April 0104 hrs 22 May 2353 hrs 23 May 0427 hrs35* F 87 Gastric Home Run(84) 1300 hrs 27 May 1927 hrs 27 May 2153 hrs 31 May 0501 hrs 2 June 0026 hrs38 F ? Surgical 29 April 1352 hrs 633 25 May 2252 hrs 7 June 1829 hrs 8 June 2315 hrs39 F 74 Surgical 29 April 1405 hrs 420.1 16 May 1156 hrs 27 May 1550 hrs 27 May 1833 hrs40 F 75 Gastric 28 April 1010 hrs 128.1 7 May 0218 hrs 24 May 2115 hrs 27 May 0111 hrs41 Apr 11 96 M 78 Surgical Home Run(84) 1315 hrs 26 April 2055 hrs 204.2 14 May 0906 hrs 24 May 1641 hrs 27 May 1245 hrs42 F 74 Surgical 22 May 1856 hrs43 M 84 Gastric 19 April 1905 hrs 2.5 19 April 2132 hrs 6 June 1858 hrs 6 June 1858 hrs45 M 85 Gastric 1 June 1256 hrs46 F 77 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) 1500 hrs47 F 80 Surgical 10 May 2037 hrs 161.1 17 May 1341 hrs 30 May 0148 hrs 30 May 0148 hrs48 M 66 Surgical 11 May 1817 hrs66 F 76 Gastric 7 May 0458 hrs 292.3 19 May 0916 hrs 30 May 1933 hrs 30 May 1933 hrs67 M 79 Surgical 5 May 0000 hrs 231.4 14 May 1522 hrs 5 June 2225 hrs 5 June 2225 hrs68 M 80 Gastric 12 May 1425 hrs 48.8 13 May 2113 hrs mortality mortality70 F 83 Surgical 10 May 1537 hrs76 Apr 12 96 F 75 Gastric Bonanza(62) 1300 hrs78 F 82 Surgical Home Run(84) 1645 hrs 20 May 0440 hrs79 M 73 Surgical 21 April 1946 hrs 500.9 12 May 1638 hrs 24 May 1029 hrs 21 June 0738 hrs

Ch. 12 16 Sep 13 95 F 76 Gastric Fish Wheel #1 1610 hrs31 Sep 13 95 F 68 Gastric Fish Wheel #1 0914 hrs

Ch. 14 19 Sep 7 95 M 70 Gastric Fish Wheel #5 1635 hrs23 Sep 2 95 M 59 Gastric Fish Wheel #5 0845 hrs

Ch. 18 8 Sep 18 95 F 68.5 Gastric Fish Wheel #5 0828 hrs

*denotes used radio transmittersFence In: 23 Apr 0930 hrsFence Out: 27 May 1300 hrs

denotes fence was removed


Appendix 66. Information regarding steelhead mortalities found on the upstream side of the Babine River D.F.O. weir, spring, 1996. Please note that none of these fish were radio tagged.

Date Sex Fork Length (cm) % Spawned Carcass Condition

8-May-95 F 83.5 0 fungus on jaw17-May-95 M 91.0 10017-May-95 M 78.0 10019-May-95 M 93.0 100 beaten up, poor21-May-95 M 94.0 10021-May-95 M 93.0 10021-May-95 M 87.5 10022-May-95 M 84.5 10022-May-95 M 91.5 100 fungus on side22-May-95 M n/a 10023-May-95 M n/a n/a completely fungussed23-May-95 M 94.0 100 good, hook scars23-May-95 M 84.0 100 good24-May-95 M 88.0 100 good, fresh gills25-May-95 M 93.0 100 lesion, fresh gills25-May-95 M n/a n/a fungussed


Appendix 67. Kelt emigration rates between fixed receiver stations for Babine and Kitselas fish wheel tagged fish.

Chan. Code Tag Date Sex FL(cm) Method Tagging Location Babine Fence km/day Babine/Skeena km/day Bulkley/Skeena km/day Copper/Skeena km/day Exchamsiks/Sk.

Ch. 20 7 Oct 25 95 F 78.5 Surgical Lobo(85) 1100 hrs 30 May 1544 hrs 158.66 31 May 0549 hrs 27.98 2 June 1355 hrs 19.67 9 June 0551 hrs 125.54 9 June 1930 hrs8 F 74 Gastric 5 June 0656 hrs 8.14 13 June 0744 hrs 22.62 19 June 0249 hrs 59.09 20 June 0749 hrs

21 F 75 Gastric 29 May 1202 hrs 10.77 7 June 0327 hrs 31.88 9 June 0441 hrs 152.74 10 June 0117 hrs 103.44 10 June 1751 hrs22 F 69.5 Surgical 13 May 1935 hrs 3.15 12 June 0930 hrs 176.69 12 June 1643 hrs 51.01 15 June 0624 hrs 17.36 19 June 0907 hrs27 F 73 Gastric Home Run(84) 1350 hrs 15 June 1252 hrs 40.77 17 June 0322 hrs 101.12 18 June 1029 hrs 192.90 18 June 1922 hrs32 F 69 Gastric 17 June 1014 hrs 158.01 17 June 2010 hrs 48.21 20 June 1326 hrs 96.27 21 June 0714 hrs34 M 95 Gastric 28 May 0405 hrs 33.09 30 May 2337 hrs35 M 77 Surgical 13 June 1916 hrs 11.61 19 June 1031 hrs 40.51 22 June 1611 hrs 202.79 23 June 0038 hrs36 F ? Gastric 19 June 1346 hrs 18.84 23 June 0104 hrs 108.87 24 June 0558 hrs 79.64 25 June 0329 hrs39 M 94 Surgical 11 June 0913 hrs 201.30 11 June 2019 hrs 47.09 13 June 0539 hrs 228.00 13 June 1927 hrs 127.41 14 June 0854 hrs41 Oct 26 95 F 74 Gastric u/s Beaver Flats(74) 29 May 0316 hrs 194.18 29 May 1121 hrs 15.47 6 June 2241 hrs 25.24 9 June 1835 hrs70 M 79 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) 1140 hrs 13 June 1150 hrs 52.84 15 June 0607 hrs 45.21 16 June 1650 hrs 5.96 8 July 1708 hrs74 F 81 Gastric 31 May 1030 hrs 46.71 1 June 2006 hrs 10.33 14 June 1247 hrs 216.00 14 June 2043 hrs83 M 92 Gastric 26 April 1126 hrs 5.41 12 May 1640 hrs 19.25 16 May 0211 hrs89 Oct 27 95 M 83 Surgical Bonanza(62) 1119 hrs 26 June 0840 hrs 183.94 26 June 1712 hrs 41.17 29 June 2137 hrs 71.85 30 June 2128 hrs

Ch. 13 7 Apr 10 96 F 72 Gastric Lobo(85) 1030 hrs 31 May 0923 hrs 35.16 3 June 0056 hrs 22.63 5 June 2218 hrs 30.26 10 June 0616 hrs 14.05 15 June 0814 hrs21 M 84 Gastric 5 June 1824 hrs 43.61 7 June 2138 hrs 96.29 8 June 1356 hrs 209.06 9 June 0459 hrs 211.56 9 June 1305 hrs22 M 83.5 Gastric 7 June 0432 hrs 49.32 9 June 0150 hrs 231.96 9 June 0836 hrs 108.00 10 June 1334 hrs 213.75 10 June 2135 hrs32* F 86 Surgical 23 May 0427 hrs 22.88 27 May 0607 hrs 58.86 28 May 0847 hrs 24.67 2 June 1619 hrs35* F 87 Gastric Home Run(84) 1300 hrs 2 June 0026 hrs 85.55 3 June 0233 hrs 81.12 3 June 2154 hrs 45.53 6 June 1900 hrs 91.39 7 June 1345 hrs38 F ? Surgical 8 June 2315 hrs 190.43 9 June 1059 hrs 69.09 10 June 0942 hrs 249.71 10 June 2218 hrs 153.00 11 June 0930 hrs39 F 74 Surgical 27 May 1833 hrs 9.68 6 June 0925 hrs 129.36 6 June 2133 hrs 17.73 14 June 0701 hrs 53.16 15 June 1515 hrs40 F 75 Gastric 27 May 0111 hrs 224.94 27 May 1107 hrs 30.79 29 May 1406 hrs 12.73 8 June 2151 hrs 12.33 14 June 1649 hrs41 Apr 11 96 M 78 Surgical Home Run(84) 1315 hrs 27 May 1245 hrs 35.16 30 May 0418 hrs 80.91 30 May 2342 hrs 2 June 1233 hrs42 F 74 Surgical 22 May 1856 hrs 12.21 30 May 0952 hrs 5.49 11 June 0750 hrs 267.78 11 June 1935 hrs 21.51 15 June 0314 hrs43 M 84 Gastric 6 June 1858 hrs 231.14 7 June 0438 hrs 27.00 9 June 1446 hrs 303.51 10 June 0108 hrs 213.31 10 June 0910 hrs45 M 85 Gastric 1 June 1256 hrs 31.75 4 June 1118 hrs 26.61 6 June 2217 hrs 7 June 2200 hrs46 F 77 Gastric Beaver Flats(72) 1500 hrs 13 June 1346 hrs 75.22 14 June 1038 hrs 19.72 21 June 0212 hrs 17.76 25 June 0201 hrs47 F 80 Surgical 30 May 0148 hrs 9.90 8 June 1123 hrs 30.37 10 June 1504 hrs 41.69 13 June 1832 hrs 61.90 14 June 2213 hrs48 M 66 Surgical 11 May 1817 hrs 2.26 21 June 0001 hrs 40.96 22 June 1420 hrs 54.55 25 June 0001 hrs 75.21 25 June 2248 hrs66 F 76 Gastric 30 May 1933 hrs 43.44 1 June 2259 hrs 24.97 4 June 1350 hrs 77.69 6 June 0620 hrs 113.48 6 June 2126 hrs67 M 79 Surgical 5 June 2225 hrs 53.16 7 June 1627 hrs 258.02 7 June 2232 hrs 263.66 8 June 1028 hrs 226.97 8 June 1801 hrs70 F 83 Surgical 10 May 1537 hrs 54.92 12 May 0818 hrs 57.15 13 May 1146 hrs76 Apr 12 96 F 75 Gastric Bonanza(62) 1300 hrs 12 June 1450 hrs 65.13 13 June 1456 hrs 27.98 18 June 0722 hrs 112.86 19 June 0127 hrs78 F 82 Surgical Home Run(84) 1645 hrs 20 May 0440 hrs 4.87 8 June 0736 hrs 19.11 11 June 1743 hrs 46.59 14 June 1315 hrs

Ch. 12 16 Sep 13 95 F 76 Gastric Fish Wheel #1 1610 hrs 9 June 2316 hrs 59.45 11 June 0140 hrs 98.27 12 June 0941hrs 193.99 12 June 1831 hrs31 Sep 13 95 F 68 Gastric Fish Wheel #1 0914 hrs 8 June 0218 hrs 49.33 9 June 1007 hrs 27.57 14 June 0415 hrs 63.19 15 June 0722 hrs

Ch. 14 19 Sep 7 95 M 70 Gastric Fish Wheel #5 1635 hrs 25 June 1723 hrs 9.45 2 July 1533 hrs 69.64 4 July 1244 hrs 217.37 4 July 2037 hrs23 Sep 2 95 M 59 Gastric Fish Wheel #5 0845 hrs 13 June 1144 hrs 30.48 15 July 1514 hrs 29.46 20 June 0202 hrs 32.21 22 June 0714 hrs

Ch. 18 8 Sep 18 95 F 68.5 Gastric Fish Wheel #5 0828 hrs 7 June 0705 hrs 31.30 9 June 0914 hrs 152.61 10 June 0541 215.55 10 June 1338 hrs

*denotes used radio transmitters

Documents

Skeena Fisheries Report #SK 96 iiRiver steelhead spawning upstream of the weir and the fact that some steelhead migrate through the weir during fall (Beere, 1997). The primary purpose