Squaxin Island Tribe is entering the thirteenth year of monitoring downstream outmigration of Oncorhynchus kisutch smolts (coho salmon smolts) by using weirs, rotary screw traps and mark/recapture methodology. The enumeration data of outmigrating smolts is used to estimate natural coho salmon production and for forecasting returning adults for South Puget Sound.
Squaxin will install weir panel traps on Mill, Cranberry, and Skookum Creeks at a site below observed coho spawning locations thus, capturing all outmigrating smolts. Also a rotary screw trap will be installed in Goldsborough Creek to be used in standard mark/recapture methodology. Outmigrating coho salmon smolts will be captured, enumerated and lengths measured. Other species such as chum fry, cutthroat, rainbow trout, and sculpin are also seen in the trap.