Sockeye salmon in lake cle Elum for the first time

[nwtoolman]

It's going to be the first time in 100 years there will be sockey salmon in lake cle Elum.
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Afte ... ml?print=y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bodofish]

Nope sorry. They dumped a bunch last year as a test, I wasn't trying and caught a nice 7+ pounder.... Released of course unharmed.

[natetreat]

They have been dumping them in since 2009, this year they had a significant return. One of these days we may have a fishery, but I doubt it. They're sacred in that lake.

[Mike Carey]

Caught one when we fished it last week . Released also . Targeting the kokanee. Unfortunately we didn't get it on film.

[Bodofish]

I think it's an awesome deal! Perhaps they can add to the genetic diversity of the Kokes and make some big ones. I think they're dreaming on any run succeeding until they fix Rosa Dam and the dams at the lakes to provide an alternate path.

[Mike Carey]

I think it's an awesome deal! Perhaps they can add to the genetic diversity of the Kokes and make some big ones. I think they're dreaming on any run succeeding until they fix Rosa Dam and the dams at the lakes to provide an alternate path.

I believe it's the same concept as Baker lake, the fish are trucked around the dams and put into the lakes where there is a combination of natural spawning and also hatchery production. Smolts are then collected and returned downriver from the dams later.
The lake kokanee and the saltwater sockeye would not cross-breed to produce a hybrid fish. (at least I don't think so)

[The Quadfather]

I think it's an awesome deal! Perhaps they can add to the genetic diversity of the Kokes and make some big ones. I think they're dreaming on any run succeeding until they fix Rosa Dam and the dams at the lakes to provide an alternate path.

I believe it's the same concept as Baker lake, the fish are trucked around the dams and put into the lakes where there is a combination of natural spawning and also hatchery production. Smolts are then collected and returned downriver from the dams later.
The lake kokanee and the saltwater sockeye would not cross-breed to produce a hybrid fish. (at least I don't think so)

They have built "Salmon habitat" structure on the Lower Cle Elum river in the area of below Suncadia/Ronald. These are very large masses of trees that are woven together with cable, then covered with earth, and even sapling trees growing on top of that. The large mound of earth and trees makes for a slow spot/pool in the river for fish to hold. There are two of these, along with re-routing a some different paths in the main body of the river for slow waterways. I spent a couple weeks ago with my son, climbing around on the log jams, sticking the GoPro down through the logs, filming the hidden depths. Caught some smallish 8" fish that were holding in the pools.
Anyway, all the signage says it's about rebuilding salmon habitat, therefor makes you think there is a plan to have the fish make it up the river and to the lake somehow? Fish ladder? I don't know anything about dams and salmon. I assume that all dams are not built with fish ladders? Maybe they are adding this feature? who knows...

[Mike Carey]

I think capturing and trucking would be far cheaper and no environmental impact issues. Once in the lake the fish can head up into the upper river where the habitat is there for the fish to spawn. But i'm speculating. Anyone know for sure?

[Bodofish]

From what I've gathered from the gammies at Cle Elum, they're trucking them from down stream of Rosa Dam. It makes for a long truck ride to Cle Elum........ They've also trucked kings around Rosa and I know they ran up, how far, no idea and can you keep a King on the Yak??????

[Mike Carey]

This explains how it works at Baker Lake:

[Bodofish]

This explains how it works at Baker Lake:

Not sure about the pay but the lower bio and tech jobs they've advertised for weren't too bad. If I was a bit younger it would really be a fun job!!!!

[stryker17]

last year was a great year to head up to Cooper River bridge and watch them spawn, the river was alive with them just below the bridge. It was a kick to watch them, we went up several times. Years ago when the Hatchery was new Judy and I put irrigation systems in all of the homes that are there, than in the fall we went back and helped clip fins on the smolt, to be releaced later , they have done a great job..... Also did anyone attend the Salmon Bar-b-q they had? Every year they hold a free lunch and tours at the Hatchery, if not put it on your bucket list.....GREAT...........

[Mike Carey]

when is that? We plan another trip or two. Sounds like a fun side trip.

[sickbayer]

when is that? We plan another trip or two. Sounds like a fun side trip.

I concur, loved to know when that is?

[stryker17]

the bar b q was on the 19th ( last friday ) the spawning I am not sure of but I will keep looking and Post it when they are there..... should be in the next few weeks, as soon as they move up river.........