Cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden char inventory in Prince William Sound, Alaska: 1997

Research on anadromous Dolly Varden char (Salvelinus malma) and cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) in Prince William Sound has been hampered by the lack of basic information on their distribution. Earlier studies stated that there are only a few streams in Prince William Sound with these species, but after consultation with local residents, it appeared these fish were more widespread than previously believed. Given these uncertainties, we consulted local residents, government agencies, Native groups, and other knowledgeable individuals to determine where these species could be found. Streams and lake systems were surveyed by field crews to determine the presence or absence of these species. We found 29 lakes and streams which had undocumented populations of these and other anadromous fish species. The number of undocumented populations by species were as follows: 23 Dolly Varden, 21 cutthroat trout, 14 coho salmon (O. kisutch), two sockeye salmon (O. nerka), and one chum salmon (O. keta). Six resident Dolly Varden and six resident cutthroat trout populations were also identified. The results of this study are being used to update the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Catalog of Waters Important for Spawning, Rearing, or Migration of Anadromous Fishes, (Anadromous Waters Catalog) and assist the research being conducted under EVOS project 96145.

Publications: Schelske, M., K. Hodges, and D. E. Schmid. 1998. Prince William Sound cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden Char inventory, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration Project Final Report (Restoration Project 97302), USDA Forest Service, Cordova, Alaska.