Chinook Salmon Research Initiative
Kuskokwim River Chinook Salmon

Lower Kuskokwim Adult Spawning Abundance

Project Summary

Project Name:

Lower Kuskokwim River Adult Chinook Salmon Spawning Abundance
Overview:

Adult Chinook salmon mark-recapture and age, sex, and length studies. This project will evaluate relative Chinook salmon escapement into tributaries of the lower Kuskokwim River, through helicopter surveys. The helicopter counts will be used to develop relative escapement ratios between Kisaralik and Eek rivers and Kwethluk River. The ratios will then be expanded based on Kwethluk River weir escapement counts to estimate total escapement. These estimates will be compared with existing escapement estimates to evaluate the current habitat based expansion method, and provide an alternative method of Chinook salmon escapement estimation for lower Kuskokwim River tributaries.
Location:

Lower Kuskokwim River
Total Project Cost:

$2,400,000
Project Dates:

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Project Type(s):

Adult abundance
Life Stage:

Adult
Stock:

Kuskokwim River Chinook salmon
Project Partners:

Kuskokwim Native Association

Contacts

Division of Commercial Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99518

Fishery Biologist III

Sean Larson
Phone: (907) 267-2385
Email: sean.larson@alaska.gov