Baker lake sockeye?

[spin05]

  It will only get better now that the state shut down the river so the tribe can fish privately.

Its only closed for Monday/Tuesday. Rivers still open till Friday

[RB]

According to WDFW there were 1,100 put in the lake this weekend (7/9-7/10) and Zero on 7/11. Interested in how many brood stock they need since they have over 3,500 and another 1,000 plus for the "Beach"?

[Stein]

Last year was 8,500.  I think they might give some of the fish to the tribe as well?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Last year was 8,500.  I think they might give some of the fish to the tribe as well?

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Pretty sure the ones that are working the collection site have more to say about what fish goes where....
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Fact of life is that people that actually show up is the biggest challenge.
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So, those that get to make decisions are the ones in attendance.
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If the wdfw and "the tribe" are there, and zero sportsperson...
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The fishery only survives if the fish are transported to the lake?
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If there is no free access to the lake for upstream migration.
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Then it is only due to the efforts of "the tribe" that there is a season.
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The WDFW, and all of these "protection" groups should remove any obstacles to "natural reproduction" and increased hatchery numbers to enhance the run.
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Not replace it.
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Like they did in the beginning of hatchery production.
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It used to be about fish, now it's about jobs, and money to politicians, and tribes.
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I see the tribes doing a better job than the politicians.
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[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

They actually want fish and are not payed by taxpayers.

[ironbuck]

Tribes don't care who pays as long as they don't have to pay.

[Stein]

I believe the power company is the one doing the actual work since it's their dam blocking the way.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I believe the power company is the one doing the actual work since it's their dam blocking the way.

They might be paying for it, but I guarantee they don't own the trucks used, or  any actual collection.

[Stein]

PSE trucks are moving the fish at 8:37 on the video

Guys unloading truck have PSE hardhats on.  Guys netting the fish in the collector have PSE hardhats too.  Guys collecting eggs even have PSE hardhats.  They show some NOAA fisheries guys talking, didn't notice and obvious WDFW employees.

That's from 2015, might be different today.

[pianoman9701]

The recovery of the Baker sockeye is really an amazing story. They were down to under 100fish returning in the 80s. The Upper Skagit tribe, WDFW, and PSE worked together on the project. One of the things they did was add percolation piping under the sandy bottoms and increased the oxygen content of the water. Transportation of the fish from below the Skagit dams into Baker Lake had a huge effect. In the last couple of years, runs of estimated 50K+ have been recorded. The reefnet boats that the tribal members use in the Salish Sea outside the Skagit have smaller nets and the crew actually watch the salmon as they're collected in small batches. The cross-catch of other species (kings, coho) is very small and because the nets are brought in frequently have a survival rate of above 90%. I used to deal with Lummi Island Wild and we were fortunate to have a tribal elder speak with us about the recovery and its success.

[ironbuck]

  Ok who's gonna fish it when enough fish are dumped in and how many is that? I am thinking I wouldn't bother until there is eight or ten thousand. 

[salmosalar]

The recovery of the Baker sockeye is really an amazing story. They were down to under 100fish returning in the 80s. The Upper Skagit tribe, WDFW, and PSE worked together on the project. One of the things they did was add percolation piping under the sandy bottoms and increased the oxygen content of the water. Transportation of the fish from below the Skagit dams into Baker Lake had a huge effect. In the last couple of years, runs of estimated 50K+ have been recorded. The reefnet boats that the tribal members use in the Salish Sea outside the Skagit have smaller nets and the crew actually watch the salmon as they're collected in small batches. The cross-catch of other species (kings, coho) is very small and because the nets are brought in frequently have a survival rate of above 90%. I used to deal with Lummi Island Wild and we were fortunate to have a tribal elder speak with us about the recovery and its success.

I am friends with one of the federal biologists who worked on the licensing that lead to the upgrades. it is an unmitigated success story. The sport fishery is fun even if you need to be up at 3am to do it right. The fish are excellent eating as well. Now, it would be even better if there was a way to turn those Baker River rainbows back into summer run steelhead but I doubt that will ever happen. I use electricity too so I understand why the dam is there. I just wish that it never was needed for my own selfish reasons.
Also, the tribes went along with a Skagit river steelhead management plan that allows for a C&R season when predicted run sizes are high enough. The main reason was that they needed the impacts in their spring king and sockeye fisheries. It is an very rare time when the tribes and the sporting public shared an interest.

[pianoman9701]

  Without the tribe's participation, this level of success would be doubtful at best.

[Stein]

We don't need the dam, we simply don't want to pay to replace the dirt cheap electricity it creates. 

You can't beat the scenery of that fishery, I almost don't care if I catch anything up there on a nice summer day with the volcano in the background.

[3nails]

  Ok who's gonna fish it when enough fish are dumped in and how many is that? I am thinking I wouldn't bother until there is eight or ten thousand.

It doesn't take half of that to be lights out.