Catch and effort statistics for the sockeye salmon sport fishery during the late run to the Russian River with estimates of escapement, 1993

Description

A direct expansion creel survey of the late-run Russian River recreational fishery was conducted in 1993 to determine angler effort for and harvest of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka. Anglers expended 94,905 angler-hours to harvest 26,536 sockeye salmon from the late run (18 July-20 August). The harvest rate for the late run was 0.280 sockeye salmon per hour of angler effort. Approximately 77% of the total fish harvested during the late run was taken from the confluence area of the fishery, where the Russian River flows into the Kenai River. A total of 99,259 sockeye salmon bound for spawning areas were counted through a weir at the outlet of Lower Russian Lake during the late run. This total exceeds the escapement goal of 30,000 that has been established for the late run. The total late return (apportioned harvest plus escapement) was predominantly age 2.1, age 2.2 and age 1.2 (29.6%, 26.8%, and 24.2%, respectively). A stream survey indicated that a minimum of 12,258 sockeye salmon spawned in the Russian River downstream from the Russian River falls. Scale samples taken from carcasses indicated that the most abundant age group (1.3) comprised 57.5% of the population that spawned downstream from the falls.

Subjects

Series Statement

• Fishery data series -- no. 94-15.

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