On Oregon’s Alsea River a broodstock program is raising fish using both angler-caught fish and those fish that swim into the hatchery trap. These data beg the question of whether offspring of angler-caught broodstock would be more likely to be caught by anglers than offspring of adults that voluntarily swam into a trap. We dig into a recent study examining this in this edition of Science Friday.
It’s Time for Bold Action
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) has stepped up to lead toward a more optimistic future for the entire Snake River basin. Rep. Simpson laid out a proposal that would create new clean energy sources, build new infrastructure, and ensure the needs of local communities, irrigators and shippers are met. The proposal would also restore runs of healthy, harvestable Snake River salmon and steelhead by removing the lower four Snake River dams.
Update: Emergency closure for some winter steelhead rivers and the Quileute Tribe’s perspective
It has been a tough stretch for wild winter steelhead on the West End of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Now, several months into the season, some of these runs appear to be even weaker than forecast. Given the alarmingly low returns of coastal wild winter steelhead so far this year, it’s not a surprise WDFW had to take additional action to protect these fish.
Elwha River: An update on our summer steelhead journey
Our Science Director, John McMillan, shares some early findings from our snorkel surveys of the Elwha River’s summer steelhead this past year.
The Plight of Hood Canal Steelhead
Wild Steelheaders United ambassador Lee Geist shares his history with Hood Canal steelhead and dives into some of the issues impeding their recovery.
Granite Grit Equals Access to Historic Habitat
Washington’s Icicle Creek has its fair share of management challenges: cumulative demands on water from agriculture, municipal use and a large national hatchery facility are just some of the factors that take a toll on flows and fish here. But a broad-based effort is underway to re-calibrate and balance those demands and accommodate the needs of fish and tribal and recreational fishing.
Salmon SuperHwy logs 95 miles … and counting
The Salmon SuperHwy’s Annual Report highlights the power of conservation partnerships to deliver real benefits for coldwater fish and local communities, even in troubled times.
Wild, scenic, and fishable
Today, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon introduced the River Democracy Act of 2021, which would create new Wild and Scenic River designations for a number of stream segments in Oregon where TU is working to protect and restore habitat, water sources and fishing opportunities. TU supports this legislation, which is based on more than 15,000 recommendations submitted by Oregon residents.
It’s Been A Long Year: Our Accomplishments in 2020
If you’re still recovering from a hell of a year, let me ease your mind about one thing, especially if you donated some dollars or time to our cause: the Wild Steelheaders team stretched every dollar to make truly meaningful impact safeguarding wild steelhead across the Pacific Northwest.
The case for better data on Oregon’s South Coast
A fishery management plan being developed for southwest Oregon coastal rivers has generated some debate over whether to temporarily reduce or prohibit harvest of wild steelhead.