Understanding Trends of Sport Fishing on Critical Fishery Resources in Olympic National Park Rivers and Lake Crescent

Brenkman, Samuel; Kerr, Laruen; Geffre, Josh

Anglers come from around North America to fish the waters of Olympic National Park (OLYM). The park consists of 12 major watersheds, ~4,000 miles of rivers and streams, 31 fish species, and 70 unique salmonid populations. Pacific salmonids that inhabit park rivers are of high ecological and cultural importance and significantly contribute to recreational and commercial fisheries. Fishing pressure poses threats to the persistence of wild and federally threatened fish in OLYM. Despite high ecological, recreational, and cultural values, managers have little information to evaluate levels of sport fishing in OLYM. This report summarizes two years (of three) of angler interviews across key park watersheds from 2009 to 2011. Specific objectives were to: 1) characterize angler demographics and preferences; 2) quantify the extent and seasonality of sport fishing effort; 3) report catch by fish species with an emphasis on the Queets River; and 4) determine incidental catch of federally threatened bull trout. We completed intensive angler interviews in the Queets, Hoh, and Salmon rivers from 2009 to 2011 and extensive interviews in the Elwha River and Lake Crescent in summer, 2010. A total of 2,017 anglers were interviewed and fished 10,639 hours among four rivers and lake. Anglers caught 11 fish species. Anglers were from 27 States, two Canadian Provinces (British Columbia, Quebec), England, New Zealand, Scotland and the Philippines. Eighty-eight percent of all anglers were from Washington State followed by Oregon (3%), California (2%), and the remaining anglers were from 24 States or other countries. Anglers were from 27 (of 39) Washington counties. Fifty-two percent of anglers were from nearby Puget Sound and 29% were from counties that surround OLYM. King (21%), Pierce (18%), and Grays Harbor (14%) were the most common counties of origin. Ninety-five percent of anglers were male, 40% were older than 50 years old, and 77% were satisfied with OLYM fishing regulations. Anglers generally preferred catch-and-release regulations although results varied by watershed (57% of parkwide; Queets/Salmon=50%; Lake Crescent=79%; and Hoh=90%). Ninety-two percent of anglers were aware that they were fishing in waters managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and 72% had seen a copy of OLYM fishing regulations. A total of 482 anglers (of 2,017) were active members of organized fishing groups and 233 were affiliated with the Coastal Conservation Association. In the Queets and Salmon rivers, 1,603 anglers fished 9,349 hours based on 115 weekday and 73 weekend day interviews from November, 2009 to April, 2011. Surveys occurred during 72% of the 262 fishable days. Forty five percent (n=714) were boat anglers, 55% (n=889) were bank anglers, and 7% were guided trips. Steelhead was the most common fish species targeted (85% of anglers). From 2009 to 2011, anglers caught 717 steelhead (392 hatchery; 306 wild; 19 unknown), retained 294 fish, and averaged one steelhead per 13 hours of fishing. The peak number of angler interviews occurred in December and March which corresponded with hatchery and wild steelhead runs, respectively in the Queets. A total of 76 and 16 federally threatened bull trout were encountered in the Queets and Hoh rivers, respectively. Incidental catch of bull trout comprised 7% and 28% of the catch in the Queets/Salmon and Hoh rivers. Information derived from this study is being used to better understand spatial and temporal fishing pressures. This project was funded through the NPS Natural Resource Preservation Program.

Understanding Trends of Sport Fishing on Critical Fishery Resources in Olympic National Park Rivers and Lake Crescent

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