Conserving Skeena Fish Populations and their Habitat Allen S. Gottesfeld, Ken A. Rabnett, and Peter E. Hall November, 2002 Skeena Fisheries Commission Box 229, Hazelton, BC 250 842-5670 © Skeena Fisheries Commission 2002 The authors’ opinions do not necessarily reflect the policies of the Skeena Fisheries Commission. Comments, corrections, omissions, and information updates are welcome and may be forwarded to the authors. Cover: Coho at Stephens Creek, Kispiox Watershed September 2001. Photo Credit: A. S. Gottesfeld Back Cover: Skeena Watershed Map, Scale 1:2,000,000 Cartography by Gordon Wilson, Gitxsan Watershed A uthorities GIS Dept. Skeena Stage I Watershed-based Fish Sustainability Plan Conserving Skeena Fish Populations and Their Habitat Allen S. Gottesfeld, Ken A. Rabnett, and Peter E. Hall Skeena Fisheries Commission Table of Contents Abstract...................................................................................................................1 The Skeena WFSP Process.....................................................................................2 Context................................................................................................................2 Scope.......................................................................................................................3 Skeena WFSP Planning Process.............................................................................4 Stage I: Establishing Skeena Watershed Priorities.................................................5 Biophysical Profile: The Skeena Watershed ..........................................................6 Climate, Hydrology and Vegetation ...................................................................6 Skeena Watershed Fish Populations.................................................................13 Stream Selection Procedure..............................................................................15 The Status of Salmon Species in the Skeena Watershed..................................19 Sockeye in the Skeena Watershed ........................................................................19 Coho in the Skeena Watershed .............................................................................25 Pink Salmon in the Skeena Watershed .................................................................33 Chinook in the Skeena Watershed........................................................................37 Chum Salmon in the Skeena Watershed...............................................................44 Steelhead in the Skeena Watershed ......................................................................49 Resident Freshwater Fish of the Skeena Watershed.........................................54 Lake Trout.............................................................................................................55 Rainbow Trout ......................................................................................................56 Cutthroat Trout .....................................................................................................57 Dolly Varden Char................................................................................................58 Bull Trout..............................................................................................................59 Kokanee ................................................................................................................60 Whitefish...............................................................................................................62 Enhancement of Salmon Production and Habitat.............................................64 Summary of Selected Salmon Streams.................................................................69 Lakelse Watershed................................................................................................70 Environmental Setting ......................................................................................70 Location ................................................................................................................70 Hydrology .............................................................................................................70 Water Quality........................................................................................................71 Geography.............................................................................................................72 Stream Channel.....................................................................................................73 Access ...................................................................................................................74 Fisheries Values and Resources........................................................................76 Chinook.................................................................................................................76 Pink .......................................................................................................................76 Chum.....................................................................................................................77 Sockeye.................................................................................................................77 Coho......................................................................................................................78 Steelhead...............................................................................................................78 i Fisheries............................................................................................................79 First Nations Traditional Use................................................................................79 Recreational Fisheries...........................................................................................80 Enhancement Activities ........................................................................................80 Development Activities ....................................................................................81 Forest Resource Development..............................................................................81 Mineral Resource Development ...........................................................................82 Transportation and Utilities ..................................................................................82 Population and Settlement ....................................................................................82 Lakelse Watershed Management Issues ...........................................................83 Kispiox Watershed................................................................................................84 Environmental Setting ......................................................................................84 Location ................................................................................................................84 Hydrology .............................................................................................................84 Water Quality........................................................................................................86 Geography.............................................................................................................87 Stream Channels ...................................................................................................88 Access ...................................................................................................................89 Fisheries Values and Resources........................................................................91 Chinook.................................................................................................................91 Pink .......................................................................................................................92 Chum.....................................................................................................................92 Sockeye.................................................................................................................93 Coho......................................................................................................................94 Steelhead...............................................................................................................95 Fisheries............................................................................................................96 First Nations Traditional Use................................................................................96 Recreational Fisheries...........................................................................................97 Enhancement Activities ........................................................................................98 Development Activities ..................................................................................100 Forest Resource Development............................................................................100 Mineral Resource Development .........................................................................101 Transportation and Utilities ................................................................................102 Population and Settlement ..................................................................................102 Kispiox Watershed Management Issues.........................................................103