Goals:
Assess current fishery conditions in the Blocked Area, above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams, by conducting baseline habitat surveys of tributary streams, lakes, and reservoirs and assessing the stocks and status of all resident fish species known to exist in those water bodies.  

Compile fisheries, habitat, and water quality data into a unified database.  The Blocked Area fisheries information housed in a central location allows managers to view the entire system while making management decisions, rather than basing decisions on isolated portions of the system.

Recommend and implement management actions based on research results.

Background:  
The project Resident Fish Stock Status Above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams (also known as the Joint Stock Assessment Project; JSAP), developed in 1997, is a cooperative project designed and guided jointly by fisheries managers in the Blocked Area; the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Spokane Tribe of Indians, and the Colville Confederated Tribes.   The initial year of the project (1997) identified the need for a central data storage and analysis facility, coordination with the StreamNet project, compilation of Blocked Area fisheries information, and a report on the ecological condition of the Spokane River System.  These needs were addressed in 1998 by acquiring a central location with a data storage and analysis system, coordinating a pilot project with StreamNet, compiling fisheries distribution data throughout the Blocked Area, identifying data gaps based on compiled information, and researching the ecological condition of the Spokane River.

In order to perform joint stock assessment, the participants needed to develop a central database of fisheries related data for the Blocked Area that would be accessible to all Blocked Area managers.  Initial development of the database involved collecting all existing data, and storing them in various electronic formats at the Kalispel Tribe JSAP office in Spokane, WA.  Data gaps were identified and new investigations were initiated to fill those gaps.  A Unified JSAP Database (the UDB) was constructed in 2002, incorporating all data compiled for the Blocked Area to date into a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 database.  

In order to ensure that any additional information collected throughout the life of this project will be easily stored and manipulated in the Unified JSAP Database, it was necessary to develop standardized methodologies between the JSAP fisheries managers.  Common collection and analytical methodologies were developed in 1999, and revised in 2002.  Since 1999, the project has been addressing some of the identified data gaps throughout the Blocked Area.  

Projects developed and undertaken by JSAP fisheries managers include investigations of the Pend Oreille River and its tributaries, the Little Spokane River and its tributaries, and water bodies within and near the Spokane Indian Reservation.  Specific projects include migration patterns of adfluvial and reservoir fish in Box Canyon Reservoir and its tributaries, a baseline assessment of Boundary Reservoir and its tributaries, ecological assessment of mountain lakes in Pend Oreille County, and assessments of seven streams and four lakes on the Spokane Indian Reservation.  These projects were completed through 2000.  Assessments of the Little Spokane River and its tributaries, tributaries to the Pend Oreille River, lakes throughout Pend Oreille County, and water bodies within and near the Spokane Indian Reservation were conducted in 2001, 2002, and 2003.  

In 2004, WDFW and the Kalispel Tribe identified as a priority the need to assess the current warmwater fishery conditions of the Box Canyon Reservoir, Pend Oreille River.  A standardized electrofishing, gillnetting, and fyke netting survey was conducted following the WDFW Standard Fish Sampling Guidelines for Washington State Ponds and Lakes (Bonar et al. 2000).  Additionally, baseline stream habitat, fish distribution, and abundance were determined for the Skookum Creek watershed, remaining tributaries in the Middle Spokane and Little Spokane watersheds, and upper Tshimikain Creek in 2004.    

In 2005, The Kalispel Tribe initiated a radiotelemetry study of northern pike in the Box Canyon Reservoir, Pend Oreille River to determine seasonal distribution, migration patterns and timing, habitat use, and locate potential spawning areas. 25 tagged fish were tracked until winter 2006.  Littoral and limnetic surveys of Deer and Loon lakes were completed in 2005.  WDFW personnel aided the Lake Roosevelt White Sturgeon Recovery project conducting white sturgeon stock assessments in 2004 and 2005.  Spokane Arm Lake Roosevelt tributary surveys were completed to determine baseline stream habitat conditions, fish distribution, and critical low flow conditions.

In 2006, the project completed the Harvey Creek kokanee spawning run monitoring.  Monitoring of the spawning run (2002-2006) was conducted to establish trend data for the population, which was identified as a priority by regional managers due the relatively high variability in run sizes observed in previous years.  The run is monitored annually using a weir-style trap from early October through mid to late December.  Data collected during kokanee spawn monitoring includes species, length, weight, sex, reproductive condition, and fecundity.  The Kalispel Tribe continued investigating the status of northern pike in the Pend Oreille River by conducting a diet analysis, a mark-recapture population estimate, and a recruitment study, in addition to continuing the tracking study.  A statistical model of redband rainbow trout presence as a function of stream habitat was be developed to help managers prioritize conservation and enhancement activities.  Work continued on adfluvial spawner use of tributaries to the Spokane Arm of Lake Roosevelt and baseline habitat conditions of those tributaries.  Data from all collection activities, as well as the compilation of current and historical Colville Tribe fisheries, habitat, and water quality data was submitted to the JSAP database manager for inclusion in the JSAP UDB.  

In 2007, the Kalispel Tribe continued filling identified data gaps by conducting a baseline fish and habitat survey of tributaries to the South Salmo River within Washington State and unsurveyed tributaries in the Sullivan Creek watershed.  Baseline water quality and productivity assessments of the Little Pend Oreille Lakes (Chain Lakes) and a littoral and limnetic fish population survey using standardized methods [WDFW Standard Fish Sampling Guidelines for Washington State Ponds and Lakes (Bonar et al. 2000)] were conducted in 2007.  The KNRD in conjunction with WDFW produced and began implementing a northern pike monitoring plan for the Box Canyon Reservoir.  Currently northern pike in Washington are an unregulated game fish with no bag limit, possession limit, or season.  Data collected on northern pike between 2004-2006 indicate the population has become established in the Box Canyon Reservoir, but more information is needed on their impact on the reservoir fishery prior to implementing regulations and actively managing the species.  

In 2008, the Kalispel Tribe conducted baseline fish and habitat surveys in Lost and Big Muddy Creeks, South Salmo River, and Gold Creek tributaries (South Fork Gold, Muskegon, Helmer, Hemlock).  Baseline water quality and productivity assessments of Nile, Frater, and Brown's lakes and a littoral and limnetic fish population survey using standardized methods [WDFW Standard Fish Sampling Guidelines for Washington State Ponds and Lakes (Bonar et al. 2000)] were completed in 2008.  We continued monitoring the northern pike population in Box Canyon Reservoir to determine spawning success and year class strength, diet habits, and interaction with "species of concern" and impact on the reservoir fishery.  

In 2009, the Tribe conducted a radiotelemetry study of bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in the lower Pend Oreille River from Albeni Falls Dam to the US/Canada border.  This study was cost-shared with several ongoing radiotelemetry studies in the watershed including Bull Trout Temporary Passage at Albeni Falls Dam (BPA Project no. 2007-246-00), Albeni Falls Dam Fish Passage Feasibility Study (USACE), Box Canyon Fish Passage Feasibility (Pend Oreille PUD), and Boundary Dam Relicensing (Seattle City Light - FERC).  Bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout tagged through the two Albeni Falls projects were manually tracked by boat, automobile, aircraft, and foot to determine habitat use, movement patterns and timing, and identify potential coldwater refugia in Box Canyon Reservoir and its tributaries.  The Tribe completed a warmwater fish community assessment of Box Canyon Reservoir in June using the WDFW Standard Fish Sampling Guidelines for Washington State Ponds and Lakes (Bonar et al. 2000).   The primary emphasis of this survey was to monitor the impact of established northern pike on the resident fishery.  We intend to repeat this monitoring effort every 5 years to establish a trend dataset to aid management biologists.  In addition to reservoir-wide netting, trapping, and electrofishing, northern pike were collected by various methods in early spring and late fall to assess diet, age and growth.  We continued to fill tributary fish and habitat data gaps by conducting surveys of Gold Creek and tributaries to Kalispell Creek in the Priest Lake basin.  

In 2010, we continued assessing the northern pike population in Box Canyon Reservoir, Pend Oreille River by collecting and analyzing stomach samples collected in summer and fall, analyzing diet samples collected in 2009 (n=130), and estimating the size of the population using mark-recapture techniques.  A standardized spring pike index netting (SPIN) was jointly developed and implemented by the Tribe and WDFW.  Those data are being incorporated into a bioenergetics model that was developed in 2008.  Preliminary analysis of data collected during the 2009 warmwater fish survey suggests the pike population has exploded since 2004, and shifts in the species composition and relative abundance of several species has occurred.  Inclusion of recently collected growth, age, and diet data, as well as a reservoir-wide population estimate will provide management biologists with valuable information on their current and potential impacts to a system that was relatively stable for over 50 years.  The Tribe has continued to lobby strongly for regulations and management actions that limit impacts of northern pike on native species and important gamefish species.  A three-season reservoir-wide creel survey was conducted in 2010 to estimate angler pressure, catch and harvest-per-unit-effort, total catch and harvest by species, exploitation rate of northern pike, economic value of the fishery and angler opinion. Bull trout and cutthroat trout tagged through the two Albeni Falls passage projects were manually tracked in the lower Pend Oreille River in 2010.  The JSAP UDB underwent a major overhaul in 2010 to increase functionality and add a web-enabled graphical interface and extraction utility.  

The Kalispel Tribe continued assessing the northern pike population and it's effect on the reservoir fishery in 2011 by conducting a reservoir wide warmwater fish survey, SPIN survey, and pilot northern pike removal project. These efforts were jointly developed and implemented with WDFW.  The lower Priest River has been identified as a priority data gap by the Tribe and Idaho Department of Fish and Game.  Very little information exists on the fish species composition and abundance, and seasonal use by native salmonids.  We began a two-year  baseline fishery assessment from the Priest Lake outlet dam to the confluence with the Pend Oreille River 70 Km downstream.  Additionally, a three-year radiotelemetry study of fluvial/adfluvial westslope cutthroat trout began to determine seasonal movement and distribution of spawning migration, habitat use, and document movement in the Pend Oreille River including entrainment at Albeni Falls Dam. In 2011, 4 tagged fish out of 13 were entrained through the project in late spring to early summer. One bull trout redd was observed in the Washington portion of the South Salmo River in 2011, well below historic levels. The data was provided to the Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society and reported to BC Hydro and BC Ministry of Environment.  Improvements to the  Kalispel Geospatial Enabled Database Management System in 2011 included incorporation of UWMEP wildlife M&E data and 2010/2011 SPIN data, development of metadata standards and templates for uploading, simplification of query procedures, developed process for remotely uploading geospatial data, and fixed bugs in data viewer.  The project has been included in the cbfish.org data repository directory and available to the public at http://gis.knrd.org/knrdgisviewer/

Assessment of the baseline fish and habitat conditions of the lower Priest River from Priest Lake to the confluence with the Pend Oreille River continued in 2012. The westslope cutthroat trout radiotelemetry study expanded in 2012 based on preliminary findings of 2011. It appears that different migratory life history strategies were exhibited in the watershed than previously thought. Adult westslope cutthroat trout were present in small numbers throughout the year and utilized small tributaries not known to support migratory or resident populations of cutthroat trout. Entrainment rate through Albeni Falls Dam was surprisingly high (45%) in late spring and early summer of 2011 and 2012. Whether this high rate is due to unusually high spring flows in the basin and extended spill season or happens routinely should be investigated. We constructed a cataraft electrofishing boat that increased our ability to sample fish in the Priest River during spring however we failed to meet our target sample size of 36 radio-tagged cutthroat. An additional 22 WCT will be tagged and tracked during 2013. Monitoring the northern pike population continued in 2012 utilizing the SPIN survey. Three years of consecutive data collection provided managers with current status and trend data to guide suppression efforts and base decisions regarding future management of that species in WA. Active suppression of the population began in 2012 (BPA Project No. 2007-149-00, Avista funding, BIA funding) and monitored for effectiveness with SPIN netting in Box Canyon Reservoir. The Kalispel Tribe sponsored PikePalooza 2012 fishing contest to educate the public about the deleterious effects of northern pike on native species and popular gamefish, promote increased angler exploitation to further reduce the population, and assess the effects of mechanical suppression on the recreational fishery. Angler catch and harvest rates were drastically lower than previous years with the removal of 5,800 NP through mechanical suppression.

During 2013, the Tribe will continue to monitor the NP population by implementing the SPIN survey in May, 2013. We will again sponsor the PikePalooza fishing contest to educate the public, reduce the population through increased angler harvest, and assess the impact of mechanical suppression on the recreational fishery. We propose to complete a movement, habitat use, and survival study of westslope cutthroat trout in the Priest River/Pend Oreille River systems using radiotelemetry and an array of fixed stations and mobile tracking by boat, vehicle, and fixed-wing aircraft. In cooperation with Idaho Department if Fish and Game, USFWS, University of Idaho, and Hickey Brothers Research LLC, we propose to begin a multi-year assessment of the lake trout population in Priest Lake and Upper Priest Lake to inform management of that species and conservation and recovery of bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout, and kokanee. Information on lake trout abundance and population structure, diet and growth, food web, movement, behavior and survival will be used to assess the feasibility of a largescale suppression effort. During 2013, a lake-wide mark-recapture experiment will be used to estimate the size of the population and structure. Large commercial trap-nets will be fished during 10 weeks in spring to mark individuals and collect biological data. Lake trout will be recaptured during a fall random gill netting effort after being allowed to disperse throughout the lake. Hickey Brothers LLC will complete netting and trapping with assistance provided by the Tribe and IDFG. U of I graduate student will complete modeling and biological data collection, data analysis, and interpretation as a thesis project under the guidance of Dr. Michael Quist.

Location:  
The Joint Stock Assessment Project area (Blocked Area) covers 9.3 million acres with elevations ranging from 1000 feet above mean sea level to 7200 feet above mean sea level.  The project boundary is defined as all water body areas lying upstream of Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River System within the State of Washington.  Although the Blocked Area extends north and east into Canada, Idaho, and Montana respectively, the project area includes only the portion in Washington and Idaho at this time.  The northern and eastern boundaries lie within the Northern Rocky Mountains, while the southern and western boundaries lie within the volcanic soils of the Columbia Plateau.