Fisheries, Subsistence, and Habitat
Publications Searchable Database
Search Again| Division: | Sport Fish |
| Title: | Russian River early-run sockeye salmon run timing into the Kenai River, 2018–2020. |
| Author: | Eskelin, T., and A. W. Barclay. |
| Year: | 2022 |
| Report ID: | Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series No. 22-33, Anchorage. |
| Abstract: | Sockeye salmon were sampled for genetic tissue in the lower Kenai River at river mile (RM) 8.6 during the 2018–2020 early runs (prior to 1 July) for genetic mixed-stock analysis (MSA) of stock composition for 3 reporting groups (Russian River Early, Russian River Late, and Kenai River Other) and 5 temporal strata (16 May–3 June, 4–10 June, 11–16 June, 17–23 June, and 24–30 June) each year. The MSAs represent the first stock composition estimates for sockeye salmon entering the Kenai River during the early run. Stock compositions were dominated by Russian River Early fish each year, especially for strata occurring prior to 24 June. Daily Kenai River RM 13.7 sonar passage estimates of fish between 40 cm and 75 cm (small fish) were used with stock composition estimates by stratum and summed to estimate Russian River Early sockeye salmon passage prior to 1 July each year. Russian River Early fish represented an estimated 0.91 (2018), 0.92 (2019), and 0.75 (2020) of the estimated small fish passage at RM 13.7 each year and averaged 0.86 for all 3 years (2018–2020). Estimated passage of Russian River Early fish was highest for the 4–10 June stratum (35% of each year’s early run, on average) and the 11–16 June stratum (28% of each year’s early run, on average) with those 2 strata accounting for 62% of estimated Russian River Early fish passage on average at RM 13.7. The last stratum (24–30 June) had the lowest estimated passage of Russian River Early fish, accounting for 7% of each year’s early run, on average. These results will be used to better predict inseason run strengths of Russian River early-run sockeye salmon, thereby increasing management precision to meet the escapement goal. |
| Keywords: | sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, Kenai River, Russian River, early run, mixed-stock analysis, MSA, single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP |