$QJOLQJRQWKH6QDNH5LYHU LQWKH+HOOV&DQ\RQ1DWLRQDO 5HFUHDWLRQ$UHD 0DUVKDOO%URZQ 5HFUHDWLRQ5HVRXUFH$QDO\VW 7HFKQLFDO5HSRUW $SSHQGL[( 'HFHPEHU 5HYLVHG-XO\ +HOOV&DQ\RQ&RPSOH[ )(5&1R &RS\ULJKWE\,GDKR3RZHU&RPSDQ\ Idaho Power Company Angling on the Snake River TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents............................................................................................................................. i List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. iv List of Figures................................................................................................................................ vi List of Appendices ........................................................................................................................ vii Abstract............................................................................................................................................1 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................3 1.1. Associated Recreational-Use and Resource Studies..........................................................3 1.2. Past Creel-Related Studies Conducted within the HCNRA ..............................................4 1.2.1. 1969 IDFG Survey....................................................................................................4 1.2.2. 1974 ODFW Survey .................................................................................................5 1.2.3. 1989 University of Idaho and USFS Survey.............................................................5 2. Study Area ..................................................................................................................................6 2.1. Distinct River Reaches.......................................................................................................6 2.2. Land Features and Geology ...............................................................................................7 2.3. Soils....................................................................................................................................8 2.4. Climate...............................................................................................................................8 2.5. Vegetation..........................................................................................................................9 2.6. Population Centers...........................................................................................................11 2.7. Political Boundaries and Land Management ...................................................................11 2.8. Road Access.....................................................................................................................12 2.8.1. Road Access to the Oregon Side of the Study Area ...............................................12 2.8.2. Road Access to the Idaho Side of the Study Area ..................................................13 2.9. Recreational Sites and Amenities ....................................................................................14 Hells Canyon Complex Page i Angling on the Snake River Idaho Power Company 2.9.1. Recreational Sites and Amenities Associated with HCC Reservoirs .....................14 2.9.2. Recreational Sites and Amenities Below Hells Canyon Dam Associated with the HCNRA...................................................................................................................20 3. Project History and Operations.................................................................................................22 3.1. Project History .................................................................................................................22 3.2. Operational Overview......................................................................................................23 3.3. Seasonal Operations of Brownlee Reservoir ...................................................................24 4. Methods.....................................................................................................................................25 4.1. USFS Boater Registrations ..............................................................................................25 4.2. IPC On-Site Surveys........................................................................................................25 4.3. IPC Mail Survey ..............................................................................................................26 4.4. Data Entry and Processing...............................................................................................28 4.5. Data Analyses ..................................................................................................................28 4.5.1. Demographics of Anglers and Responses to Angling Questions from Mail Questionnaire...........................................................................................................28 4.5.2. Hours of Angling Effort, Catch Rate, and Harvest Rate Estimates........................28 5. Results.......................................................................................................................................29 5.1. Demographics of Anglers ................................................................................................29 5.1.1. State of Residence of Anglers.................................................................................29 5.1.2. Age of Anglers........................................................................................................29 5.1.3. Education Level Reported by Respondents ............................................................30 5.1.4. Income Level Reported by Respondents ................................................................30 5.1.5. Race Reported by Respondents ..............................................................................30 5.1.6. Gender of Respondents...........................................................................................30 5.1.7. Number of Previous Visits to the HCNRA by Respondents ..................................30 5.2. Responses to Angling-Related Mail Survey Questions...................................................31 Page ii Hells Canyon Complex Idaho Power Company Angling on the Snake River 5.2.1. Use of Fishing Guide ..............................................................................................31 5.2.2. Fishing from Bank or Boat .....................................................................................31 5.2.3. Type of Licenses/Permits in Possession While Angling ........................................31 5.2.4. Type of Tackle Used in HCNRA............................................................................31 5.2.5. Types of Terminal Tackle Used in the HCNRA.....................................................31 5.2.6. Types of Fish Targeted by Anglers in the HCNRA................................................32 5.2.7. Importance to Anglers of Each Target Type of Fish ..............................................32 5.2.8. Rating of Fishing Success by Anglers in the HCNRA ...........................................32 5.2.9. Rating of Fishing in the HCNRA Compared with Similar Places Fished by Respondents.............................................................................................................32 5.3. Estimated Hours of Angling Effort..................................................................................33 5.3.1. Angling Effort Overall............................................................................................33 5.3.2. Targeted Angling Effort..........................................................................................33 5.4. Angling Success...............................................................................................................34 5.4.1. Length-Frequency of White Sturgeon Caught by Anglers in the HCNRA ............34 5.4.2. Success of Anglers Who Targeted Specific Types of Fish.....................................34 6. Discussion and Summary..........................................................................................................35 7. Acknowledgments.....................................................................................................................37 8. Literature Cited .........................................................................................................................37 Hells Canyon Complex Page iii Angling on the Snake River Idaho Power Company LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Number of angling responses from IPC’s 1999 mail survey in the HCNRA by the portal and season of initial contact..............................................................41 Table 2. Number of angling responses by state from IPC’s 1999 mail survey in the HCNRA..................................................................................................................41 Table 3. Number of angling responses by state from interviewees initially contacted at the Cache Creek portal during IPC’s 1999 mail survey in the HCNRA..................................................................................................................42 Table 4. Number of angling responses by state from interviewees initially contacted at the Pittsburg Landing portal