Last updated: May 28, 2019
Article
Preliminary 2018-2019 Coho and Steelhead Spawner Survey Results Are In
NPS / Maritte O'Gallagher
May 2019 - This winter, biologists and volunteers counted 93 live adult coho salmon (live coho numbers may include repeat sightings) on Redwood Creek. A preliminary analysis of redd (nest) counts and measurements indicates that they also saw a total of 61 coho redds. These numbers are much higher than the last time this coho cohort returned to Redwood Creek in 2015-2016, likely due to the release of 165 hatchery-reared coho on December 12. Most of the spawning activity was observed during the first week of January when California Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologists and non-federal fishery crew members stepped in to conduct surveys during the federal government shutdown. Genetic analysis of tissue samples to be collected from juveniles this summer will help determine the spawning success of wild versus hatchery-reared coho.
On Olema Creek, we don’t know how much spawning happened in January, but surveys before and after the shutdown resulted in counts of 111 live adult coho, seven coho carcasses, and a preliminary total of 63 coho redds. This would indicate that Olema Creek coho redd production held steady when compared to the last time this cohort was observed during the 2015-2016 season. The true coho redd count for this season is likely much higher.
Along with a healthy coho return, steelhead were seen in all four streams that were surveyed. Redwood Creek had the most steelhead redds with a count of 47, followed by Pine Gulch with 33 redds, Olema with 29 redds, and Cheda creek with one redd. For both Redwood Creek and Pine Gulch, this is the highest steelhead redd count since annual monitoring began in 1997-1998. May rains could yet attract a handful of adult steelhead spawners, so our crew may perform one more survey before closing out the season.
Check out the full coho and steelhead spawner season summary, or contact Michael Reichmuth to learn more.