Characteristics of the Kokanee Spawning Run in Harvey Creek, Washington, and its Potential Use as an Egg Source

Abstract Kokanee populations often require stocking to meet fishery management goals, since natural reproduction may be limited. Many kokanee stocking programs are dependent on eggs collected from a limited number of brood lakes. The anticipated loss of the primary brood source for the statewide kokanee program in Washington State prompted the evaluation of alternative egg sources. I conducted a four-year investigation of the kokanee spawning run in Harvey Creek, a tributary to Sullivan Lake, to evaluate its potential as an egg source. A weir, electrofishing, seining, and carcass surveys were used to collect and enumerate spawning kokanee from 2002 through 2005. Kokanee spawned in Harvey Creek from October through December. Escapement estimates ranged from 4,594 in 2002 to 24,611 in 2004. There were significant declines in mean total length and weight for both sexes throughout the study period. Fecundity had a significant positive relationship with length (r2 = 0.38, P <0.001). The decreasing trend in mea...