Landlocked Chinook Salmon research

[IDFG_Fisheries]

Greetings folks,
As the kokanee season gets going, we wanted to remind anglers to keep an eye open for Chinook Salmon in a few lakes/reservoirs. Biologists are asking anglers to help them learn more about these fish in Anderson Ranch, Lucky Peak, Deadwood reservoirs in southwest Idaho and Spirit Lake in North Idaho. (Although, its possible you may see them at Arrowrock as well).

The study is comparing growth rates, survival and catch of 2 different types to determine which performs better in Idaho fisheries.

If you catch a Chinook Salmon, please consider taking a small clip of the fin tissue and placing it in one of the envelopes provided at the kiosks by the boat ramps. Turning in a fin clip is a great way to help the success of this research and would help improve our efforts to manage landlocked Chinook Salmon.

Here's the details:
[url]https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/anglers-are-needed-catch-chinook-research
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How you can help:
Chinook can be identified by black spots on their backs, black gum lines, and a clipped adipose fin.

1. Clip a small (about the size of a hole punch) portion of any fin. A sample can be taken from any size of Chinook, and the fish can be harvested or released.

2. Place the fin clip in an envelope provided at kiosks. Seal the envelope and keep it dry to avoid spoiling.

3. Deposit the envelope in the drop box at the kiosks, which can be found at major access points at the four locations.

Thanks and good luck this season!
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[wiperhunter2]

Thanks for the info, if I catch any Chinook, I'll be sure to do as asked. One question though, I know they were stocked in Anderson Ranch a few years back but is it more likely that we will be catching Chinook that were stocked more recent than that or will they be those older fish?
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[MackayGuy]

It doesn’t say in your post or in the link.....can you put more than one clip in an envelope or one per envelope? Maybe the instructions on the envelope clarifies this, but I haven’t seen one yet.

Thanx
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[IDFG_Fisheries]

The Chinook stocked for this evaluation were 2016, 2017, 2018 and then again this year. Most likely anglers will be catching 2-3 year old fish in the 12-16" range. They look a lot like kokanee, so be sure to look for the black mouth and black gums! Chinook also have a lot more spots on the top than kokanee. I attached a photo from a Chinook Salmon caught on Saturday at Anderson Ranch - this is typical of what you might see out there right now.

Remember - Chinook count towards the 6-trout limit, so its important to tell them apart from the kokanee that have their own limit, which may be different.

Good luck out there!
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[wiperhunter2]

Oh yea, they do look different, thanks for the added info and the pic.
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[IDFG_Fisheries]

Great question!

Its best if you can keep 1 fin clip per envelope - that way the DNA doesn't get mixed up between the various pieces of fin tissue. I recommend grabbing a few envelopes at the kiosk before heading out on the water. If you only have 1 envelope, try to keep the fin clips separated inside the envelope by sticking them to the paper in different spots.

I use a pair of scissors, and just snip about 1/4" off the tip of the tail fin. We only need about a hole-punch size piece of tissue to run the genetic analysis, so not a huge amount.

If I don't plan to harvest the fish, I just unhook it, clip the fin, and release the fish.

Keep an eye open for the adipose fin clip as well - as those fish are part of this study.

Thanks!
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[MackayGuy]

Didn’t answer my question
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[IDFG_Fisheries]

Its best if you can keep 1 fin clip per envelope - that way the DNA doesn't get mixed up between the various pieces of fin tissue.

Thanks!
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[Kodiak1]

Fish and Game.....thanks so much for sharing info on this site. You are appreciated!!
Mike... Moderator
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[MackayGuy]

Thanks for the quick response. Makes sense.
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