Outing Coordinator: Tom Beaulaurieur

Join NFA members for an evening volunteer event on Saturday April 2. The Bellevue/Issaquah Trout Unlimited (TU) chapter is working to restore the native Kokanee salmon in Lake Sammamish that have declined to a small fraction of their original numbers. We'll assist with the fry trapping, counting, and data collection work they do. This project has the collaborative support of several government agencies as well as TU. It was brought to our attention by NFA member and Snoqualmie Tribe wildlife biologist, Matt Baerwalde.

For more information about what Kokanee salmon are and a more thorough description of the work group long term goals, click here.

Volunteers will get to participate in this important extinction prevention effort, trapping and counting small fry in three of their remaining natal creeks. Environmental data is also collected during every shift, and then is given to the WDFW biologists at the Issaquah Hatchery.

The person coordinating the volunteer work for TU is Robert Metzger. Here is how he described the work.

A shift of trapping goes like this:

• We trap on Tue, Thurs, and Sat nights.
• Arrive at the stream shortly before sunset.
• Record some data such as water temp, weather conditions.
• Lower trap into stream and leave for one hour.
• Raise trap and count and fry-release fry into stream.
• Lower trap.
• We do three one-hour trap soaks and finish around 3-1/2 hours after we start.
• We trap on three streams that drain into Lake Sammamish Park.

1. Lewis Cr. (located off of I-90 on the south end of park).
   
2. Laughing Jacobs Cr. (located adjacent to the Lake Sam Park's boat launch).
   
3. Ebright Creek (located 5.7 miles north of I-90-exit 17-off of E Lk Sam Road).
   

You also need a headlight to keep your hands free while counting. We try to have at least two people per trap each shift when we get volunteers. All of the data that we collect and record is given to the biologists at the Issaquah Hatchery.  Our goal is to collect data with the ultimate purpose to restore the native Kokanee to its historical numbers. NFA volunteers will get trained on the work and get you trapping.

We always need volunteers so I hope that your organization will be interested in volunteering to help us staff our 3 traps.

Maps and more specific details will be provided to everyone who registers during the week ahead of April 2.

If you are interested in this work but Tuesday and/or Thursday work better than on Saturday, use the registration form to send a note about your interest to the conservation committee.