[ODFW-News] Nestucca River steelhead survey to begin

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release	Monday, Dec. 6, 2004

Nestucca River steelhead survey to begin

TILLAMOOK - Nestucca River steelhead anglers may be asked in the coming
months about their catch as Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
biologists study the first returns of adult fish from a new wild
broodstock program.

ODFW will be conducting a "creel" survey of winter steelhead
anglers on the Nestucca River from December through April. Two uniformed
ODFW employees will be walking the bank to interview anglers and collect
information about the fish caught. The goal of the project is to
estimate total catch of winter steelhead and to characterize the
composition of the catch.

"This winter marks the first return of adult steelhead from releases
of smolts from a new wild broodstock program," said Keith Braun, ODFW
district fish biologist in Tillamook.  "The creel survey will allow us
to estimate the portion of the catch that is from the wild brood,
compared with that from the traditional hatchery stock."

Along with information about the number of fish caught, the survey crew
will be collecting data from individual fish, such as the fin mark and a
fish scale sample. Anglers also will be asked a few questions to track
angling effort, catch distribution and angler information.

"We ask that people be patient with us and cooperate with our
samplers," Braun said. "This will allow us to collect the best
information and minimize disruption to the angler's trip."


Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002