Life history variability, habitat use, and migratory behavior of coastal cutthroat trout in the Salmon River, Oregon Annual Progress Report

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Cornwell, T., K. Jones, S. Stein

Publish Date: 2010

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: cedric.x.cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: A previous study characterized a diversity of life history strategies of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) in Salmon River (Krentz 2007). In contrast to life history patterns in other Oregon estuaries (Giger 1972), cutthroat trout of all sizes resided for extended periods of time throughout the available channel habitats in Salmon River estuary. The estuarine resident population appeared to represent a significant portion of the migratory individuals, and included all age classes. Estuary growth was similar to that of their ocean migrant counterparts, and survival in the estuary was high. Because cutthroat were collected and marked primarily within the estuary (Krentz 2007), it is unclear what portion of the migrant population remained in the estuary relative to the ocean migrants, or whether the tagged group was representative of the anadromous populations. The current study was designed to track a representative sample of the downstream migrant population, and assess the relative success (survival) of the estuary and ocean migrants. Similar studies in the Columbia River documented directed and rapid migration through the estuary (Zydlewski et al. 2008, Hering et al. 2009). With one exception, cutthroat trout were not observed to rear in the estuary. In addition, many fish disappeared before reaching the ocean and few of the ocean migrants returned to the site of release. In this study we replicated the study design used in the Columbia River studies to allow comparison of estuary migration and rearing strategies between the two estuaries. The primary objective of our work in the Salmon River was to increase understanding of coastal cutthroat trout biology and the relationship between resident and migratory cutthroat. Study objectives were to: 1. Estimate the distribution and abundance of coastal cutthroat trout in the Salmon River watershed 2. Quantify the proportions of the cutthroat populations that are migratory, identify which individuals migrate and describe the timing of migration 3. Describe habitats used by anadromous migrants and characterize migration behavior within the Salmon River estuary 4. Estimate growth rate of estuary resident cutthroat 5. Estimate estuarine/marine survival of anadromous individuals and document return to estuary 6. Compare migratory patterns and survival with cutthroat in the Columbia River In this report, we will discuss migration patterns, habitat use, and growth. The study will be continued in 2010 to meet objectives (1), (2), and (6), and provide more detail to objectives (3), (4), and (5).

Purpose:

Time Period of Content:

Geographic Extent: Salmon River

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF File

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source:

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description:

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? No