HATCHERY OR CATCH AND RELEASE MOUNTAIN LAKES WILD FISH? 0 The pristine Г reserving healthy ecosystems, ANGLER INFORMATION education and providing recreation are watersheds of or decades salmon hatcheries primary roles of national parks. Most of released millions of young fish to the rivers and lakes in Olympic National Olympic National support commercial and sport harvest. Park have catch and release fishing in lympic National Park fishing These fish interbreed with wild runs, an effort to balance recreation with the Park nurture an regulations, including seasons, limits diluting the native gene pool that makes essential natural role of fish. Catch and abundance of salmon, and gear restrictions, are updated wild fish so resilient and well-adapted to release also helps preserve declining yearly. Rules vary around the park, so heir specific river. fish stocks. trout and char seldom be sure to pick up the most recent Hatchery fish also version at a ranger station or the compete for habitat Illountain lakes in Olympic National seen in the U.S. outside Olympic National Park Visitor Center in and food, prey on wild Park apparently had no native resident Port Angeles (360) 565-3130. fish, introduce fish. The Eastern brook, rainbow and of Alaska. Fish—from diseases, and promote cutthroat trout now in the park's high igher harvests which Fishing regulations and other lakes are likely non-native descendants tiny fry in a rainforest may threaten small wild information are also available on the from stocking that ended by the early runs mixed with larger stream to adult salmon park web site: 1970s. Because introduced fish eat hatchery runs. By encouraging anglers www.nps.gov/olym/current.htm. native amphibians and their eggs, as to keep hatchery fish and restricting as large as a toddler- well as compete with them for food, 1 harvest of wild fish, the park is working there are generous limits (none on are essential links in to preserve wild fish and their genetic Eastern brook trout, an East Coast legacy. To identify a hatchery fish, look transplant). healthy ecosystems. for the healed scar where adipose or § ventral fins have been clipped. "43 If handled properly, fish have an excellent chance of survival after release. Please Designed by Linda Humphrey Ife,, follow these guidelines to help: Fish illustations by Carole Kahler Photos courtesy of Olympic National Park, except Land fish as quickly as possible to minimize the following: tiring them. Leave fish in water while removing hooks (with Fly fisher, tagging, leaping coho © Debbie Preston pliers or forceps if possible). At high lakes, help limit new trailing by Old-growth forest, forest stream © Dennis Hamm Wet your hands and do not squeeze or hold I walking on rocky shorelines not vegetation. Fish in ocean: Leo Shaw, The Seattle Aquarium fish by the eyes or gills. To avoid attracting wildlife, bury fish entrails Sockeye: Katmai National Park If hooked deeply, cut the line and leave the in a small hole away from campsites, or Look inside to learn hook in the fish. puncture the air bladder and throw entrails more about these Before releasing a fish, move it gently back a far into the lake. aquatic treasures and forth in the water until it tries to swim This brochure printed on recylced paper by away. Olympic National Park, 2001. Pacific salmon are the most abundant variety of fish in park waters. During their life cycle, these anadromous fish use much of the park, from rushing mountain tributaries ' A whole natural economy is built on their bodies ...

UiüiiuiuiiV-miii leir neighbor>Km:iimiut)i('Miiiim шъ — conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown

EGGS TO . . . A SALMON'S GIFT ALEVINS TO . . . Each female lays thousands of eggs that need silt-free gravel and clean, Nutrients from their bulging egg sacs fuel cool water. Less than one percent may early growth of newly hatched fish. This Salmon are an icon of the Pacific Northwest for good reason. Biologists have survive to become adult salmon. early stage is spent safely hidden in or identified over 100 animals-not just humans-that benefit from salmon. near streambed gravel.

Throughout their life salmon and other fish feed a diversity of species. Salamanders and birds like dippers eat their eggs; herons, kingfishers and fish DEAD FISH TO . . . SMALL FRY TO SMOLTS TO . . . feed on fry; marine mammals like orcas and sea lions depend on salmon; and For salmon, life does not forest residents from tiny shrews to black bears gorge on the carcasses. But it end with death since Once they emerge from the carcasses are recycled gravel, fry spend a few doesn't stop there. Stream life, the next generation of salmon and adjacent back into the ecosystem. weeks to a year or two in forests benefit from nutrients like nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus which dying The nutrients boost fresh water growing bigger stream productivity and on a diet of salmon salmon provide. Researchers have even discovered increased nourish young fry, carcasses and eggs, growth rates of trees in forests containing salmon-bearing wildlife and even the invertebrates and even surrounding forests. smaller fry. As they move streams. Restoring this natural gift of salmon nutrients is one of downstream to estuaries the major reasons the park and others are working to remove they become smolts, with bodies adapted to saltwater. fish-blocking dams from the Elwha River. Salmon are indeed an integral part of healthy ecosystems.

SPAWNERS RETURNING TO . . . i ... great salmon threshed in the water all night long... At every few yards was to Using smell, magnetism and even the sun, adults navigate OCEAN WANDERERS TO... ' be seen the remains of a fish where cougar, coon, otter, or eagle had made a meal. back to their natal streams. With bodies that may turn bright red or develop fiercely hooked jaws and humped backs, Adult salmon can reach impressive weights feeding on salmon breed, then die. However, sjteelhead, cutthroat, bull ocean riches from tiny invertebrates to herring and — Private Harry Fisher along the Queets River trout and Dolly Varden can survz'vej to spawn another year. other small fish. Many species spend years migrating 1890 O'Neil Expedition thousands of miles through the North Pacific.

A-nad-ro-mous (adj., с 1750, fr. Greek anadromos, nmning upward) ascending rivers from the sea for breeding. Open to learn таге about Olympic fish • • • • • COHO SALMON CHINOOK SALMON CHUM SALMON PINK SALMON SOCKEYE SALMON STEELHEAD/RAINBOW TROUT (Oncorbynchus kjsutcb) (Oncorbynchus tsbawytscba) (Oncorhynchus keta) (Oncorbynchus gorbuscha. (Oncorbynchus nerka) (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

ECOLOGY ECOLOGY ECOLOGY ECOLOGY ECOLOGY ECOLOGY Look for coho fry in park streams in Chinook return to major rivers and Chum can return in huge numbers to Pinks return to lower rivers in odd- Sockeye occur on rivers with lakes Steelhead are rainbow trout that go to the summer. This widespread species tributaries from April to November. lower sections of major rivers in numbered years from August to where young fry stay for about a year sea. Winter runs are widespread in main benefits wildlife from coastal streams They can spend up to seven years in summer or late fall. Their carcasses October. Historic runs in the before going to sea. Look for them in stem rivers, side channels and to the headwaters of mountain the ocean growing to incredible sizes. provide a wealth of nutrients in Elwha likely surpassed Quinault and Ozette Lakes, or tributaries. Summer runs can penetrate tributaries. Quiet side channels and Historic chinook runs on the Elwha winter, when other food is scarce. The 100,000 fish and spawning October through December higher than most other species, River included 100-pound fish! La te Quillayute and Queets Rivers have provided a huge influx of returning deep into the park up the Hoh, summer through fall, look for runs, and historically the Elwha River nutrients to the Quinault, Queets and historically, the spawning chinook in the upper sections ecosystem. Elwha area Elwha Rivers. Adults can survive of large westside rivers like the Hoh, homesteaders recall the spawning, but they still contribute Quinault and Queets. Watch for bears crowded thrashing nutrients in eggs, fry, and some and other wildlife gorging themselves salmon spooking horses at carcasses. In May and June, look for on these large carcasses. river fords! With Elwha River spawning fish and the clean gravel restoration, pink salmon could depressions of new nests (redds) near STATUS once again nourish the river below the Hoh, Sol Due, and Queets Relatively healthy on the west side of wetlands provide a safe place for the Rica Canyon. Look for pink salmon in the Quinault valley at Big Creek, campgrounds. the Olympic Peninsula; Puget Sound along the Gray Wolf River (a tributary young to overwinter before heading to chinook (Elwha River through Hood along the North Shore Road, and sea. In autumn on the Sol Due River, had large runs. Chum fry do not of the Dungeness River), especially other tributaries. Runs of nearly one Resident rainbow trout are found look for coho spawning above the linger in fresh water, but rear in around the bridge at the Gray Wolf million fish returned to Quinault Lake primarily above barriers to upstream resort, or stop at Salmon Cascades to estuaries instead. As part of the Elwha trailhead. in the early 1900s! In the past sockeye watch adults leaping. River restoration, chum may one day used the Elwha River as well. Lake return to spawn below Rica Canyon. Ozette and Lake Crescent have STATUS kokanee, a smaller "landlocked" form Relatively stable in park streams; STATUS of sockeye. declining further south and in Puget Currently uncommon in park rivers. Sound. Hood Canal summer run (Dungeness STATUS River south through Hood Canal) Quinault sockeye are stable; Lake IDENTIFICATION Spots on the back and upper lobe of Canal and Puget Sound) listed as listed as Threatened. Ozette sockeye listed as Threatened. Threatened. Chinook above Lake tail, and a white gum line distinctive. IDENTIFICATION IDENTIFICATION migration, like in the Elwha River. Bright silver in the ocean; red flanks, Cushman Dam may be a remnant of No spots. Bright silver in the ocean; at No spots. Bright silver in the ocean; the Puget Sound population. Beardslee trout, a rainbow unique to dark back, head and fins at spawning. spawning flanks are often mottled STATUS striking red bodies with green heads Lake Crescent, can grow to 20 pounds. Males nicknamed "hooknose" for their IDENTIFICATION with darker vertical blotches. Males Runs have declined throughout the when spawning. Males develop a These fish have been isolated in Lake hooked upper jaw. Adults generally 5- Heavy spotting on back and entire tail develop hooked jaws with large Olympic Peninsula, particularly in the humped back and toothed, hooked 15 pounds. (heavier than coho) and black gum line canine teeth. Adults weigh 5-15 Dungeness watershed. They are jaw. Most adults weigh 4-8 pounds. distinctive. Bright silver in the ocean; pounds. essentially gone from the Elwha River. Kokanee average 8-15 inches long dark brown, black or olive at IDENTIFICATION and 1-2 pounds. spawning. This largest Pacific salmon, Oblong spots on the back and both also called "king" salmon, averages lobes of the tail. Bright silver in the about 22 pounds, but ranges from 15- ocean; dark backs and mottled flanks 50 pounds. at spawning. Called "humpies" because males develop huge humped backs. Return as 2-year olds weighing 2-9 pounds. Crescent for thousands of years and are highly adapted to the lake environment. Genetic work reveals clear differences between Beardslee and other rainbow trout. Some mountain lakes have non- BULL TROUT/DOLLY VARDEN CHAR CUTTHROAT TROUT EASTERN BROOK TROUT MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH PIKE MINNOW native rainbow trout populations. rehhus confluentus/S. пиита) (Salvelinus fontinalis) (Prosopium wUUamsoni) (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) STATUS Winter runs relatively healthy on the ECOLOGY ECOLOGY ECOLOGY ECOLOGY ECOLOGY Olympic Peninsula; status of summer These species are indistinguishable in Cutthroat can be resident or Despite the name, this is a char native Mountain whitefish live in the park's This species, formerly called runs unknown. Wild steelhead are the field. In the same river system anadromous. They spawn high up to the East Coast, but introduced here larger westside rivers and the North squawfish, is not widespread in the threatened by extensive habitat there may be residents in tributaries, small tributaries, generally above where there are now self-sustaining Fork Skokomish, where they use park, but occurs in Lake Ozette, the degradation and hatchery programs. others that migrate to lakes, and other salmon and trout, but live in populations in many mountain lakes. riffles in the summer and deep pools The Beardslee trout population is small, others that are anadromous. They main stems, tributaries, side channels, Like other char, they prefer cold water in winter. They feed primarily on with very limited spawning habitat. occur in the Queets, Quinault, Hoh, estuaries, beaver ponds and other and are very adaptable and aqua tic insects, especially bo ttom- wetlands. Young cutthroat are persistent, spawning alonglakeshores dwelling may flies and stone flies. IDENTIFICATION commonly seen in small streams in During the lower water levels of fall, Heavy spotting on back, square tail and summer. Crescenti trout, a cutthroat you might spot schools of them in flanks, even below the lateral line. Bright form unique to Lake Crescent, can deep pools. Pygmy whitefish (a small, silver in the ocean; darker with some reach 12 pounds. You may spot their rare species that is usually less than dark green or red on flanks at gravel redds in Barnes Creek from 6 inches long), live in deep, cold Lake spawning. Lower jaw ends below the eye March through April. There are also Crescent. (not extending beyond like in cutthroat). non-native cutthroat in several Ozette River and the Dickey River Steelhead weigh 5-30 pounds. Rainbow mountain lakes. near Mora. Pike minnows prey on are smaller (6-20 inches, 1 -3 pounds in Elwha, Dungeness, and North Fork threatened Lake Ozette sockeye. Park this area), brighter, and sometimes Skokomish Rivers, and Sol Due River biologists are concerned since habitat develop a reddish side stripe. above the falls. From October to or tributaries. Eastern brook trout changes in Lake Ozette have impacted December, you might spot schools of impact native lake ecosystems by salmon but not affected pike minnows, bull trout in the North Fork Skokomish competing with native amphibians leading to added stress on the River in the Staircase area. These like frogs, toads and salamanders for dwindling salmon. Lake Ozette's species require very cold water for food. They also consume amphibians introduced non-native bass and yellow spawning and egg survival, so they and their eggs. perch also eat young sockeye and are migrate further up rivers than other STATUS food for pike minnows as well. STATUS Abundant in larger rivers, but there species, thus bringing eggs and young Abundant and widespread. Because high into river systems. STATUS is no information on population STATUS Little information is avaUable, but of their impacts, there are no limits trends. Very abundant in Lake Ozette and the STATUS they are thought to be relatively stable on Eastern brook trout. Ozette River. Bull trout listed as Threatened. IDENTIFICATION on the Olympic Peninsula, though they IDENTIFICATION IDENTIFICATION Olympic National Park likely contains Whitefish have a very small mouth, they have declined to low levels in Light yellow, orange or red spots, placed well below the snout; an Vertically flattened head, long snout, the largest unaltered tract of bull southwest Washington. The Crescenti often with blue halos, on a forked tail, and no adipose fin. Color trout habitat left in the U.S. adipose fin like their distant salmon trout population is small due to background darker than other char. relatives; large silvery scales and can ranges from süver to mixed brown/ IDENTIFICATION isolation. Spots on the back are crowded into reach 12 inches and nearly one yellow. They can be 15-20 inches long Bull trout/Dolly Varden have white, IDENTIFICATION wavy lines. White leading edges on pound. and 3-4 pounds. red, orange or yellow spots on a gray, Heavy spotting on flanks, back and their lower fins. Mature adults can green, or brown background (unlike tail (like rainbow), but often has red develop reddish fins and belly when the dark spots on light background of slash marks on throat. Lower jaw spawning. Range from 6-18 inches salmon and trout). White leading edge bone extends past the eye (unlike and up to several pounds. on lower fins. Adults are 10-30 inches; rainbow trout, whose lower jaw stops the larger bull trout can weigh over below the eye). Residents 4-12 inches ish of Olympic National Park 10 pounds. and under a pound; anadromous forms 14-20 inches (up to 2-3 pounds). fi