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INFORMATION

REPORTS

NUMBER 2014-07

FISH DIVISION Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Status and Biology of Columbia River White Sturgeon (aka What We Know About Columbia River White Sturgeon and How We Know It.)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against as described above in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire further information, please contact ADA Coordinator, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 3406 Cherry Drive NE, Salem, OR, 503-947-6000. This material will be furnished in alternate format for people with disabilities if needed. Please call 541-757-4263 to request

Status and Biology of Columbia River White Sturgeon (aka What We Know About Columbia River White Sturgeon and How We Know It.)

Ruth A Farr and Tucker A Jones

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife May 2014

Contents INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 SAMPLING .................................................................................................................................... 2 LIFE HISTORY ............................................................................................................................ 19 AGE AND GROWTH .................................................................................................................. 22

Ageing ..................................................................................................................................................... 22

Relative Weight ...................................................................................................................................... 24

Deformation and injury rates .................................................................................................................. 46

Parasites .................................................................................................................................................. 46

REPRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 46 FOOD HABITS ............................................................................................................................ 54 HABITAT ..................................................................................................................................... 55

Spawning habitat requirements ............................................................................................................... 55

Rearing habitat requirements .................................................................................................................. 56

Habitats ................................................................................................................................................... 56

POPULATION ............................................................................................................................. 57 Mortality rates by age ............................................................................................................................. 93

Genetic Diversity .................................................................................................................................... 94

MANAGEMENT .......................................................................................................................... 94 Harvest history and regulation changes .................................................................................................. 94

Angler Survey ......................................................................................................................................... 95

Tribal Commercial Fishery ..................................................................................................................... 95

Trawl and Haul ....................................................................................................................................... 96

PUBLICATIONS resulting from conducted research ................................................................ 100 LITERATURE CITED ............................................................................................................... 106 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................. 112

Setline Gear and Techniques Used to Monitor White Sturgeon Populations in the Lower Columbia River ...................................................................................................................................................... 112

Appendix B ................................................................................................................................. 120 Sturgeon Database documentation. ....................................................................................................... 120

Appendix C ................................................................................................................................. 127 Methods of Aging White Sturgeon Using Pectoral Fin Spines ............................................................. 127

Appendix D ................................................................................................................................. 135 Methods for Sampling and Estimating Stage of Maturity of Gonads from White Sturgeon. ............... 135

Appendix E ................................................................................................................................. 140 Conversion Factors ............................................................................................................................... 140

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INTRODUCTION

In July 1986, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) started funding a cooperative study by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which later became the U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS), Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to determine the status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus populations in the Columbia River downstream from Priest Rapids Dam. The scope of work, funding sources, and cooperating agencies have changed over time, and this report covers work done or directed by ODFW, Columbia River Investigations over the last 25 years; work by cooperating agencies is referenced. While this report includes data through 2010, white sturgeon research by ODFW and cooperators continues and annual reports and data in formats similar to those contained within this report will become available as soon as they are published. Columbia River white sturgeon are 1 of 8 species of sturgeons found in North America (Bemis and Kynard 1997). White sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in North America (Page and Burr 1991), able to reach lengths of 6 m (Scott and Crossman 1973) and weights of 800 kg (Hart 1973). They have a cartilaginous skeleton, a persistent notochord, and lack scales (Scott and Crossman 1973). White sturgeon skin has patches of small denticles and five rows of dermic bone called scutes (Scott and Crossman 1973). White sturgeon scute counts are: (11 – 14 dorsal, 36 – 48 lateral and 9 – 12 ventral scutes) (Scott and Crossman 1973; Moyle 1976; North et al. 2002).

White sturgeon can be found in marine and estuarine environments from northern Baja, Mexico to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska (Eschmeyer et al. 1983; Rosales-Casian and Ruz-Cruz 2005). They can be found in freshwater rivers along the Pacific Coast between Monterrey, California and Alaska (Scott and Crossman 1973; Page and Burr 1991). Successful reproduction appears to be limited to the Sacramento-San Joaquin, Columbia, and Fraser river systems (Hanson et al. 1992).

White sturgeon inhabit the mainstem Columbia River and major tributaries up to Mica Dam (river kilometer (Rkm) 1,549) (UCWSRI 2002). Construction and operation of the Federal Columbia River hydropower system (FCRPS) have affected the productivity of white sturgeon populations and artificially created a series of restricted reservoirs and river segments. Our work to document the status, habitat requirements, and to provide managers with population estimates was conducted in the mainstem Columbia River (Figure 1) to Priest Rapids Dam (Rkm 13 – 639) and two tributaries, the Willamette River (Rkm 0 – 43) and the Snake River (Rkm 0 – 16 and 397 – 459) (Figure 1). Data collected is used by managing agencies to address mitigation actions and to assist in setting harvest guidelines for sport and commercial fisheries. Commercial fishing in the Columbia River is regulated by the Columbia River Compact (Woods 2008) and is managed by zone. Commercial Fishing Zones 1-5 are downstream of Bonneville Dam and are a non-tribal commercial fishery. Commercial Fishing Zone 6 (hereafter referred to

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as Zone 6), which includes Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day reservoirs, is tribal commercial and tribal subsistence fisheries. Sport fishing in the Columbia River is regulated by Joint State Hearings and is managed by separate guidelines for areas downstream of Bonneville Dam and each reservoir upstream of Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam.

Figure 1. Areas of the Columbia and Snake Rivers in Oregon sampled for white sturgeon 1986 – 2010.

SAMPLING

A history of when and where and how we conducted sampling:

ODFW, Gear Specifications

A variety of gears have been used to sample white sturgeon in the Columbia River. Table 1 provides a complete catalogue of where and when gears have been used during the course of our work. We began employing our most used gears, setlines and gillnets, in 1987. Both setline and

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gillnet methods have evolved over time. In 1987 we used 183-m setlines that were made up of 0.6-cm diameter nylon rope equipped with 40 gangions approximately 1-m long made of 56-kg test brailed nylon. Each line had one size of hook that ranged from 10/0 to 16/0 (a complete and current configuration of our setline gear can be found in Appendix A). Experimental gillnets were 46-m long by 5-m deep. The multifilament net consisted of alternating 8-m panels of 5 cm, 8 cm, and 11-cm bar mesh. Leadlines outweighed the float line along the length of the net. The following major modifications were made to our standardized sampling gear:

In 1988 we modified the setlines to include 12/0, 14/0, and 16/0 hooks for each line, 13 hooks of each of two sizes and 14 of the remaining size which was randomly chosen.

In 1990 we modified the experimental gillnet to 46-m long by 2.4-m deep. The nylon net consisted of alternating 8-m panels of 3.2-cm, 4.4-cm, and 5.1-cm bar mesh.

In 1997 we added a standard gillnet of 91.4-m long by 3.7-m deep. The multifilament net consisted of alternating 15.2-m panels of 4.5-cm and 5.1-cm bar mesh.

In 1998 we modified the standard gillnet to 91.4-m long by 3.7 m-deep with 5.1-cm bar mesh.

ODFW, Columbia River, Upstream of Bonneville Dam

We have sampled with hook and lines, setlines, and gillnets in Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day, and McNary reservoirs (Figure 1). In addition, ODFW accompanied US Army Corps of Engineers staff to inspect de-watered draft tubes at The Dalles and John Day dams for stranded white sturgeon.

We have experimented with a variety of gears to catch white sturgeon and over the years have refined our setline methods (Appendix A) and large-mesh gillnet methods for sampling sub-adult and adult white sturgeon, and small-mesh gillnets for sampling age-0 and juvenile white sturgeon (Table 1). Setlines encounter a wide size range of white sturgeon (Figures 6 - 10) with low mortality (0.04%), bycatch (0.9%) and bycatch mortality (2%). Small-mesh (2.5 cm bar) gillnets are efficient for capture of age-0 sturgeon (Figures 11 - 15) with low mortality (2 %); bycatch mortality is substantial (57 %). Large-mesh gillnets (Figures 16 – 18) are used during the winter and have a low immediate white sturgeon mortality rate (0.05%); bycatch (2%) and bycatch mortality rates (17 %) are intermediate. Experimental gillnets (Figures 19 – 21), 45.72 m consisting of six, equal-length, alternating panels of 3.2 cm, 4.4 cm, and 5.1 cm bar were used in the past to supplement setline catches. Experimental gillnets had a sturgeon mortality rate of 0.3% and a bycatch mortality rate of 15%.

A variety of morphometric measurements have been recorded during the course of our research, including: fork length (FL), total length (TL), weight, head length, snout length, pectoral girth, and pelvic girth (Table 2). Biological samples taken include: leading pectoral fin spine section (ageing), gonad sample (gender determination and maturity stage), blood (cortisol and sex steroids), and pectoral fin tip tissue (DNA). Fish have been marked with different combinations of tattoos, barbel clips, oxytetracycline (bone mark for ageing), scute removal, spaghetti tags, anchor tags, radio tags, acoustic tags, and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags (Table 2).

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Bonneville Reservoir has been sampled nine separate times between 1988 - 2009. The Dalles Reservoir was sampled 10 separate times from 1987 - 2008. John Day Reservoir was sampled 9 separate times from 1987- 2010. McNary Reservoir was sampled three times, in 1993, 1995, and 2011. (Table 1).

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Table 1. Gear by agency and location.

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Artificial spawning substrate - USGS

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X

The Dalles X

John Day

McNary X X

Hell's Canyon

Artificial spawning substrate - NMFS

Below Bonneville X X X X X X X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Artificial spawning substrate - ODFW (Willamette)

Below Bonneville X X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Beach seine (50-m variable mesh) - NMFS

Below Bonneville X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Beam bottom trawl (3.0-m wide) - USGS

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X

John Day X X X

McNary X X

Hell's Canyon

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Table 1 (continued). Gear by agency and location.

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Beam bottom trawl (3.0-m wide) - NMFS


Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Commercial fisheries sampling - WDFW

Below Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Draft tube inspection - ODFW

Below Bonneville

Bonneville

The Dalles X

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Epibenthic sled (50-cm mouth) - NMFS

Below Bonneville X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Gillnet - experimental (91.4-m x 3.7-m) (4.5-cm and 5.1-cm bar panels) - ODFW

Below Bonneville

Bonneville

The Dalles X X

John Day X X

McNary

Hell's Canyon

7


1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Gillnet - experimental (46-m x 5-m) (5-cm, 8-cm, and 11-cm bar panels) -ODFW

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X X

The Dalles X X X

John Day X X

McNary X

Hell's Canyon

Gillnet - large mesh (commercial gear) - CRITFC

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X

John Day X X X X X

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Gillnet - large mesh (commercial gear) - ODFW

Below Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Gillnet - large mesh (commercial gear) - WDFW

Below Bonneville X X X X X X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Gillnet - small mesh (2.5-cm bar) - ODFW


Bonneville X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X X X X X X

McNary X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Hell's Canyon

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1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

High-rise trawl (4.4-m - 6.2-m wide) - USGS

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X X

McNary X X X

Hell's Canyon

High-rise trawl (4.4-m - 6.2-m wide) - NMFS

Below Bonneville X X X X X X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

High-rise trawl (4.4-m - 6.2-m wide) - ODFW

Below Bonneville X X X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Hook and line - ODFW

Below Bonneville

Bonneville

The Dalles X

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Larval net - round (0.5-m diameter) - USGS

Below Bonneville

Bonneville

The Dalles X

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

9


1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Larval net - round (0.5-m diameter) - NMFS

Below Bonneville X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Larval net - d-ring (0.8-m wide at base) - USGS

Below Bonneville


The Dalles X X X X X X

John Day X X X X

McNary X X

Hell's Canyon

Larval net - d-ring (0.8-m wide at base) - NMFS


Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Larval net - d-ring (0.8-m wide at base) - ODFW (Willamette)

Below Bonneville X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Modified semi-ballon shrimp trawl (4.9-m headrope length) - NMFS

Below Bonneville X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

10


1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Semi-ballon shrimp trawl (7.9-m headrope length) - NMFS

Below Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Plumb-staff beam trawl (3.1-m wide) - NMFS

Below Bonneville X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Semi-ballon shrimp trawl (4.9-m headrope length) - NMFS

Below Bonneville X X X X X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Setline (183-m, 40 hooks) - USGS

Below Bonneville

Bonneville

The Dalles X X

John Day

McNary X X

Hell's Canyon

Setline (183-m, 40 hooks) - ODFW


Bonneville X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X

McNary X X X

Hell's Canyon X

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1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Setline (183-m, 40 hooks) - WDFW


Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day

McNary X X X

Hell's Canyon

Sport creel - WDFW

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

McNary X

Hell's Canyon

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Table 2. Data collected by year and location.

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fork length


Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

McNary X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Hell's Canyon X

Total length


Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X


Hell's Canyon

Pectoral girth

Below Bonneville X

Bonneville X X X X X

The Dalles X X

John Day X X X X X

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Head length

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X X

The Dalles X X

John Day X

McNary X

Hell's Canyon

Snout length

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X X

The Dalles X X

John Day X

McNary X

Hell's Canyon

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Table 2 (continued). Data collected by year and location.

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Below Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

McNary X X X X X X X X X X X X

Hell's Canyon X

Spaghetti tag(s)


Bonneville X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X

McNary X X

Hell's Canyon X

Monel tag

Below Bonneville X X X X

Bonneville X X

The Dalles X X

John Day X X

McNary

Hell's Canyon

PIT Tag

Below Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X

Bonneville X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X


McNary X X X X X X X X X

Hell's Canyon

Peterson/Carlin disk tag

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X X X

The Dalles X X

John Day X X

McNary X

Hell's Canyon

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1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Anchor tag

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X

The Dalles X

John Day

McNary X X

Hell's Canyon

Radio tag

Below Bonneville X

Bonneville X

The Dalles X X X X

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Acoustic tag

Below Bonneville

Bonneville

The Dalles X X X

John Day

McNary X X X

Hell's Canyon

Barbel clip

Below Bonneville

Bonneville

The Dalles X X

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Tattoo

Below Bonneville

Bonneville

The Dalles X

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

15


1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Oxytetracycline

Below Bonneville X X X



John Day X X X X

McNary X X

Hell's Canyon

Scute removal


Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

McNary X X X X X X X X X X X

Hell's Canyon X

Pectoral fin ageing

Below Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X

Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X


Hell's Canyon X

Gonad stage/sex

Below Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Bonneville X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

John Day X X X X X X X X X X X X

McNary X X X X X X

Hell's Canyon X

Stomach content

Below Bonneville X

Bonneville X X X

The Dalles X X X X

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

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1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Blood (sex steroid and calcium)




John Day X X X X X X X

McNary X

Hell's Canyon

DNA (blood/tissue)


Bonneville X X X X X X X X

The Dalles X X X X X X X X


McNary X X X X X X

Hell's Canyon

Spawned egg

Below Bonneville X X X X X X X X X



John Day X X X X

McNary X X X

Hell's Canyon

Larvae age




John Day X X X X

McNary X X

Hell's Canyon

Deformity Characterization

Below Bonneville

Bonneville

The Dalles X

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

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1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Toxin Sample

Below Bonneville

Bonneville X

The Dalles X X

John Day

McNary

Hell's Canyon

Cortisol

Below Bonneville X

Bonneville

The Dalles

John Day X

McNary

Hell's Canyon

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ODFW, Columbia River, Downstream of Bonneville Dam

ODFW sampled with trawls, setlines and small-mesh gillnets, and commercial fishery gillnets in the un-impounded Columbia and Willamette rivers downstream of Bonneville Dam and Willamette Falls (Figure 1, Table 1).

Morphometric data recorded included fork length and weight. Biological data samples taken included; leading pectoral fin spine sections (ageing), free embryos (reproduction), and pectoral fin tip tissue (DNA). Fish were marked with different combinations of scute removals, oxytetracycline (bone mark for ageing), spaghetti tags, and PIT tags (Table 2).

The lower Columbia and Willamette rivers have been sampled six times from 2004 - 2010.

ODFW, Snake River, Hells Canyon Reservoir and Oxbow Reservoir

ODFW sampled with setlines in Hell’s Canyon Reservoir and Oxbow Reservoir (Figure 1, Table 1). Morphometric measurements recorded included fork length and weight. Biological samples taken included leading pectoral fin spine section (ageing) and gonad sample (gender determination and maturity stage). Fish were marked with scute removals and spaghetti tags (Table 2).

Hell’s Canyon Reservoir was sampled in 1992. Oxbow Reservoir was sampled in 1993.

Cooperators

Cooperators, Columbia River, Upstream of Bonneville Dam

The WDFW has sampled with D-ring larval nets and setlines, as well as sampling the commercial fishery and conducting an angler creel survey in Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day, and McNary reservoirs (Figure 1, Table 1). The USGS sampled with round larval nets, D-ring larval nets, setlines, high-rise bottom trawls, beam bottom trawls and artificial spawning substrates (Figure 1, Table 1). NMFS sampled with D-ring larval nets in Bonneville Reservoir, and CRITFC sampled with large mesh gillnets in Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day reservoirs (Figures 1, Table 1). Morphometric data recorded included: fork length, total length, and weight (Table 2). Biological samples taken included: leading pectoral spine fin section (ageing), gonad sample (gender determination and maturity stage), pectoral fin tip tissue (DNA), stomach content samples, and free embryos and larvae (Table 2).

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Cooperators, Columbia River, Downstream of Bonneville Dam

In the lower Columbia River NMFS sampled with round larval nets, D-ring larval nets, trawls, beach seines and benthic sleds (Figure 1, Table 1), and WDFW sampled with d-ring larval nets, large mesh gillnets, and commercial fishery sampling (Figure 1, Table 1). Morphometric data recorded included: fork length, total length, and weight (Table 2). Biological samples taken included free embryos and larvae (Table 2).

Where to find the data

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife white sturgeon data is maintained by Columbia River Investigations program, 17330 SE Evelyn Street, Clackamas, Oregon 97015. Our data is stored electronically in a Structured Query Language (SQL) database housed on ODFW servers. Database documentation is provided in Appendix B.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife white sturgeon data is maintained by Region 5 Fish Program, 2108 Grand Boulevard, Vancouver, Washington, 98661. Washington maintains white sturgeon tagging data for downstream of Bonneville Dam in a database named “Caviar.”

U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division data is maintained by Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory, Cook, Washington, 98605.

National Marine Fisheries Service data is maintained by Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Coastal Zone and Estuarine Studies Division, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, Washington, 98112.

Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission data is maintained at 729 NE Oregon Street, Suite 200, Portland, Oregon, 97232.

LIFE HISTORY

Fish from the order Acipenseriformes (sturgeon and paddlefish) are generally regarded as highly modified descendants of fish that lived during the Permian and Triassic. Recognizable sturgeon fossils date to the Upper Cretaceous, about 200 million years ago (Helfmman, et al.1997, Bemis et al. 1997). Sturgeon, in general, exhibits several life history forms, including: anadromy—spawning in fresh water, spending non-reproductive periods in marine environment, amphidromy—bi-directional, non-reproductive migration between fresh and salt water, and potadromy—all feeding and reproductive migrations within a freshwater river system. Facultative potadromy, which happens when dams prohibit anadromous or amphidromous life history strategies, describes white sturgeon in impounded reaches of the Columbia River (Bemis and Kynard 1997).

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White sturgeon are broadcast spawners, releasing their eggs and milt into the water column over boulder and cobble substrates where fertilization occurs (Hanson et al. 1992; Parsley et al. 1993). White sturgeon generally spawn in the spring when the water temperatures are between 10 and 18º C (Hanson et al. 1992; Parsley et al. 1993) and turbidities are high (Perrin et al. 2003). White sturgeon spawn near the river bottom, in areas where water velocities range between 0.5 and 2.5 m/s (Parsley et al. 1993; Parsley and Beckman 1994) and there is high hydraulic complexity (Perrin et al. 2003). Average spawning depths can exceed 6 m and water velocities near the bottom average 1.4 m/s (Parsley et al 1993). In the Columbia River most freshly spawned embryos are found on cobble or boulder substrate and at depths of 4 – 27 m (Parsley et al. 1993). Optimal incubation temperature for white sturgeon embryos is 14º C (Wang et al. 1985), and incubation generally lasts 7 to 14 days (Wang et al. 1985; Conte et al. 1988) depending on water temperature.

Embryos begin at fertilization and end at hatch. Free swimming embryos begin at hatch and end when white sturgeon begin exogenous feeding. The larval stage begins at exogenous feeding and ends when all fins and organs are fully developed. Contradictory information exists on the transition from one early life history stage to another in white sturgeon. One hypothesis states that newly hatched white sturgeon exhibit three phases between hatch and metamorphosis, each lasting approximately six days (Brannon et al. 1986). The first phase, dispersal, occurs immediately after hatching when free swimming embryos swim up into the water column (Brannon et al. 1987; Conte et al. 1988). They have been collected at depths of 4 – 58 m and over a variety of substrates (Parsley et al. 1993). After dispersal, free swimming embryos sink to the bottom and burrow themselves in gravel during their hiding phase (Conte et al. 1988). White sturgeon larvae begin active feeding approximately 12 days after initial dispersal into the water column (Buddington and Christofferson 1985; Conte et al. 1988). The larvae complete their metamorphosis in approximately 20 days (Buddington and Christofferson 1985). Emerging evidence suggests that the timing and behavior during these transitions may differ by geographic region. Canadian researchers have found that white sturgeon may actually exhibit a hatch-hide type response (McAdam et al. 2008). That is to say, the early life history sequence is hatch, hiding by free swimming embryos without a dispersal phase, followed by active external feeding. Dispersal, or drift, may occur between hatching and hiding, if suitable hiding spots are not encountered at the time of hatch (McAdam et al. 2008). Drift likely occurs later at the initiation of active feeding, to allow larvae to move to areas with sufficient food resources. Drift at hatch may be indicative of poor habitat conditions, whereas active external feeding drift may simply be a means of moving to areas where food is locally abundant (S. McAdam, British Columbia Ministry of Environment, personal communication). In the Sacramento River white sturgeon appear to exhibit a two-step dispersal pattern (Kynard and Parker 2005). A weak dispersal behavior lasting only a few hours to a few days was noted in newly hatched free swimming embryos, followed by hiding and active external feeding through larval stages and a longer, stronger dispersal post-metamorphosis (Kynard and Parker 2005). Beyond the larval stage, age-0 begins after metamorphosis is complete and ends, arbitrarily, on 31 December of their first year of life. White sturgeon are considered juveniles from age-1 until

21

they are physiologically able to enter estuarine and marine environments. This size is approximately 96 cm FL according to McEnroe and Cech 1985. However, sampling occurring in San Francisco Bay, CA has encountered white sturgeon under 90 cm TL in their annual white sturgeon adult population surveys conducted in Suisun and San Pablo Bays (Israel et al, 2009). Data collected by ODFW found white sturgeon ranging in size from 25-95 cm FL between Rkms 29-40. The salinity gradient of the Columbia River extends to about Rkm 45 (Simenstad et. al 2011). Sub-adults begin when white sturgeon are physiologically able to enter estuarine and marine environments and end at sexual maturity (approximately 125 cm FL in males and 165 cm FL in females; Bajkov 1949; Scott and Crossman 1973; Hanson et al. 1992; IPC 2005). When white sturgeon become sexually mature they are adults (Figure 2).

22

AGE AND GROWTH

Ageing We have assigned ages to 5,644 white sturgeon measuring 11 - 273-cm FL, from the Columbia and Snake rivers. Age estimates have ranged from 0 to 104. The ages are grouped by area: downstream of Priest Rapids Dam (Figure1; Table 3), downstream of Bonneville Dam (Figure 1; Table 4), Bonneville Reservoir (Figure1; Table 5), The Dalles Reservoir (Figure1; Table 6), John Day Reservoir (Figure 1; Table 7) Zone 6 (Table 8), McNary Reservoir (Figure 1; Table 9), and Hells Canyon Reservoir (Figure 1; Table10). White sturgeon were aged by reading sections of leading pectoral fin spines. We removed a section of the leading pectoral fin spine from live fish by making two cuts with a hacksaw blade or coping saw through the leading spine; the first cut was about 5 mm distal from the point of articulation and the second was about 10 mm distal from the first. From dead fish, we removed the entire leading fin spine. Among recaptured white sturgeon, we removed fin spine samples only from fish previously injected with oxytetracycline (OTC). We air-dried the fin spine samples and cut them into several thin (0.3-0.6-mm) transverse sections. The sections were mounted on glass microscope slides using Crystalbond 509. Fin spine sections were examined with a dissecting microscope (15-40x magnification) and transmitted light. We counted translucent zones in the sample as annuli. We observed that single translucent zones in the anterior portion of a sample often split into several zones in the lobes, a pattern we refer to as banding; banding occurred in fish of all ages. Each translucent zone of a banding pattern was counted as an annulus. Because it was difficult to determine if the edge was translucent or opaque, translucent zones on the outer edge of a sample were not counted. Instead, we assumed all fish sampled before July 1 would form a translucent zone in that calendar year and grouped them with the appropriate cohort. Accuracy of aging was estimated with reference to OTC marks in sections from fish recaptured at known intervals after injection. The OTC marks on fin spine samples were located with reflected ultraviolet light (Rien and Beamesderfer 1994). We found that ages were underestimated from counts of translucent zones formed after injection with OTC, especially for slow-growing and large fish, and concluded that age estimates are neither precise nor accurate (Rien and Beamesderfer 1994). A fact that is particularly relevant when making interpretations of length frequencies and relative year-class strengths. We have incorporated the knowledge that we are likely underestimating the ages of sturgeon when we using age based information in fishery management decisions. Average age at length varies as growth in individual fish is highly variable. Because of this variability, and unlike some other fish species, it is not possible to accurately predict age of white sturgeon based on the length of the fish (Tables 3 – 10). Average age at length also varies by area (Figure 3). In the Columbia River, white sturgeon exhibit rapid growth during the first growing season. After the first year, annual growth rates decreases until fish reach approximately 60 – 85-cm FL

23

(ODFW unpublished data). Annual growth rate increases again and is followed by a decrease in annual growth rate for fish larger than approximately 140 – 160-cm FL (Figure 4; ODFW unpublished data).

Figure 2. Depiction of the white sturgeon life cycle. Because of the variability in length at age of white sturgeon we have investigated other approaches to estimating annual growth, including using individually identifiable marks such as PIT tags. Some of the benefits of using PIT tags on long-lived fish are the high retention rates over time and the accuracy of identifying individual fish. As the number of white sturgeon PIT

24

tagged increases along with long-term multiple recaptures, we are getting a more accurate picture of individual growth rates and patterns over time. Using actual measured growth from PIT tagged individuals has given us a more accurate picture of sturgeon growth than is suggested from standard growth equations. As is found in other long-lived fish species, growth rates vary over time. Understanding the actual growth patterns in white sturgeon increases the accuracy of population modeling predictions thereby increasing the effectiveness of fisheries management activities.

Relative Weight We use a relative weight index (Wr) to compare condition of white sturgeon of different lengths (Table 11 and 12). An index value of 100 represents a physical condition comparable to the 75th percentile condition of all white sturgeon populations along the Pacific coast of North America (Beamesderfer 1993). This represents a better-than-average condition, based on the notion that producing an average condition is not generally a management goal. Relative weights have varied by time, both within and among reservoirs. The overall mean relative weight of white sturgeon in Bonneville Reservoir has increased between 1999 and 2009 (Table 11). Reasons for these observed increases in condition, coupled with an increase in abundance, are at this time unknown (Table 16). The overall mean relative weight of white sturgeon in John Day Reservoir has been above average for sturgeon populations in general and has remained fairly static around 100 since 1996 (Table 11). Reasons for this are likely due to a population that is under capacity and not food limited. The overall mean relative weight of white sturgeon in The Dalles Reservoir has decreased somewhat since 1997 (Table 11). Although reasons for this apparent decline are unknown, the average condition of these fish still compares favorably to all North American white sturgeon populations (Beamesderfer 1993).

25

Table 3. Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River from the mouth to Priest Rapids Dam 1987 – 2010.

1 - 20 - 40 - 60 - 80 - 100 - 120 - 140 - 160 - 180 - 200 - 220 - 240 - 260 - Mean Age 19 39 59 79 99 119 139 159 179 199 219 239 259 279 Length STD N

0 144 273 21.3 2.9 4171 1 172 30 1 34.7 5.8 2042 173 116 38.1 5.9 2893 101 170 1 42.7 6.3 2724 71 227 20 46.9 8.0 3185 25 203 58 52.2 9.1 2866 16 146 90 4 56.7 10.0 2567 5 130 103 12 60.5 10.9 2508 80 91 17 4 64.7 12.4 1929 1 63 89 33 6 1 67.5 14.2 193

10 2 23 81 48 15 1 76.3 15.7 17011 22 50 52 35 2 82.2 18.4 16112 9 40 57 38 6 1 89.8 19.0 15113 4 32 59 62 17 4 96.3 19.3 17814 2 19 45 69 26 6 1 103.1 20.1 16815 2 20 43 70 41 7 1 105.7 20.2 18416 1 19 35 70 40 13 3 110.0 21.4 18117 1 13 35 74 62 17 5 1 113.2 22.3 20818 2 10 37 60 75 28 7 1 117.9 22.9 22019 1 3 23 49 60 34 12 3 124.2 24.9 18520 4 24 42 66 52 15 7 128.6 25.8 21021 1 4 15 40 48 41 13 4 1 127.9 26.5 16722 4 12 27 40 43 10 9 3 1 134.5 28.9 14923 1 2 20 18 28 16 3 3 140.7 27.5 9124 1 4 18 26 24 18 5 1 140.1 26.5 9725 3 17 18 18 11 5 1 138.3 27.0 7326 4 11 14 10 9 8 5 1 147.3 35.4 62

Fork length interval (cm)

26

Table 3. (continued) Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River from the mouth to Priest Rapids Dam 1987 – 2010.


27 2 6 9 6 11 4 4 151.6 32.6 4228 3 4 9 9 9 5 3 1 151.3 33.6 4329 2 2 11 7 5 4 5 3 1 161.2 39.4 4030 1 1 7 9 7 5 5 3 1 167.8 35.8 3931 2 2 1 4 6 5 1 176.0 34.1 2132 2 3 2 1 6 3 3 1 180.0 41.3 2133 3 3 5 2 2 1 181.1 37.0 1634 2 3 2 1 2 2 157.7 37.1 1235 1 2 1 2 1 170.9 35.2 736 1 1 1 3 1 197.0 47.9 737 1 2 1 1 1 205.2 45.0 638 1 1 2 2 1 229.3 36.3 739 1 2 2 195.6 32.6 540 1 1 1 1 1 1 199.2 35.9 641 3 1 1 223.2 20.2 542 1 3 204.3 39.6 443 1 1 1 224.0 37.0 344 1 2 194.3 22.1 345 1 201.0 146 3 2 214.4 11.5 547 1 1 225.0 21.2 248 049 050 2 1 212.0 30.6 351 1 2 226.7 8.7 352 053 1 198.0 154 0


27

Table 3. (continued) Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River from the mouth to Priest Rapids Dam 1987 – 2010.


55 1 1 236.0 8.5 256 057 1 227.0 158 059 060 1 223.0 161 1 209.0 162 063 1 1 235.0 7.1 2

…65 1 272.0 1

…80 1 258.0 1

…104 1 264.0 1

Total 145 839 1233 754 572 748 609 372 162 93 61 37 14 5 5644


28

Table 4. Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River from the mouth to Bonneville Dam 2004 – 2010.


0 91 131 20.3 2.1 2221 84 5 33.9 4.2 892 22 12 37.7 5.5 343 8 13 42.1 5.3 214 1 18 1 46.6 5.9 205 21 3 50.7 8.1 246 11 6 1 56.9 12.9 187 1 11 3 1 54.2 12.2 168 11 3 1 59.0 13.8 159 4 4 2 67.4 16.1 10

10 2 3 1 71.0 19.4 611 2 4 1 2 73.5 19.5 912 2 1 77.4 19.1 313 4 1 1 78.1 15.6 614 1 1 1 89.2 24.8 315 2 69.0 0.1 216 5 1 1 80.4 12.8 717 2 2 77.9 13.8 418 2 1 96.3 4.5 319 020 021 1 55.0 122 023 024 025 026 027 1 108.0 1

Total 91 247 111 43 14 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 514


29

Table 5. Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, Bonneville Reservoir 1988 – 2009.


0 29 39 20.9 2.8 681 1 37 2 33.0 4.1 402 22 3 35.1 3.3 253 31 7 37.6 4.2 384 18 15 2 42.7 7.7 355 10 41 4 48.1 7.7 556 9 47 8 51.4 8.4 647 1 43 15 1 55.9 9.1 608 27 14 1 58.2 9.7 429 1 13 16 6 1 65.2 14.1 37

10 2 5 11 7 1 71.6 17.9 2611 12 12 7 6 1 75.0 19.6 3812 5 12 13 4 1 83.0 18.6 3513 1 7 17 8 2 90.3 17.8 3514 2 6 13 14 4 95.4 19.5 3915 1 9 14 21 9 1 100.5 18.8 5516 1 4 12 22 9 1 103.8 19.8 4917 1 7 14 30 18 4 106.8 19.7 7418 4 11 22 15 1 108.2 18.3 5319 3 5 15 17 3 112.7 18.2 4320 4 13 11 15 8 1 113.0 24.9 5221 2 7 11 13 5 1 1 118.4 26.2 4022 4 9 16 6 1 121.5 21.1 3623 8 3 5 2 129.5 19.7 1824 1 9 8 1 1 123.0 18.7 2025 7 5 3 1 1 1 134.4 29.0 18


30

Table 5. (continued) Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, Bonneville Reservoir 1988 – 2009.


26 1 4 4 1 2 1 134.8 38.1 1327 2 4 1 1 136.3 29.0 828 3 1 5 5 1 1 2 140.4 36.1 1829 2 2 4 1 2 1 1 144.7 46.8 1330 1 1 4 1 2 4 1 1 162.7 43.3 1531 1 1 1 141.3 43.1 332 1 2 2 149.4 34.6 533 1 1 1 197.7 60.7 334 2 2 1 1 140.0 36.0 635 1 199.0 136 1 231.0 137 038 1 2 206.0 40.7 339 1 1 214.0 22.6 240 1 1 175.5 9.2 241 1 1 228.0 12.7 242 1 2 196.7 44.7 343 044 045 1 201.0 146 047 048 049 050 051 1 1 225.5 12.0 2


31

Table 5. (continued) Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, Bonneville Reservoir 1988 – 2009.

1 - 20 - 40 - 60 - 80 - 100 - 120 - 140 - 160 - 180 - 200 - 220 - 240 - 260 - Mean Age 19 39 59 79 99 119 139 159 179 199 219 239 259 279 Length STD N …

60 1 223.0 1 …

65 1 272.0 1 …

80 1 258.0 1 …

104 1 264.0 1

Total 30 170 226 144 149 213 163 49 14 16 8 12 4 2 1200


32

Table 6. Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, The Dalles Reservoir 1987 – 2008.


0 24 75 22.4 2.7 991 28 8 34.6 5.8 362 109 64 37.4 5.4 1733 52 110 1 42.8 5.9 1634 44 162 11 46.8 7.5 2175 9 114 36 53.3 9.1 1596 3 53 51 2 59.3 9.0 1097 2 40 51 3 62.0 9.8 968 25 35 11 66.2 11.0 719 29 37 10 1 65.6 11.5 77

10 8 33 21 8 77.5 15.2 7011 4 14 30 13 1 86.6 16.2 6212 1 6 22 15 1 92.8 15.9 4513 8 26 28 3 2 98.4 16.0 6714 4 14 29 10 1 1 106.3 17.9 5915 1 10 30 8 2 1 109.5 17.6 5216 3 8 29 18 5 3 117.2 19.3 6617 1 24 26 8 2 123.2 16.2 6118 5 20 34 13 3 1 127.3 18.7 7619 2 18 27 18 9 132.5 21.7 7420 2 15 34 36 7 4 137.5 20.4 9821 1 10 21 17 6 2 137.1 20.4 5722 1 9 10 30 4 6 3 146.3 26.5 6323 2 5 17 6 1 1 150.3 20.3 3224 1 4 9 10 13 1 1 148.5 24.3 3925 3 7 10 6 141.7 17.6 2626 1 5 6 5 1 2 1 157.2 30.6 2127 4 1 9 1 4 168.3 26.6 19


33

Table 6. (continued) Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, The Dalles Reservoir 1987 – 2008.


28 2 3 7 3 164.3 18.1 1529 1 3 2 1 2 1 175.2 34.3 1030 2 4 3 2 160.1 27.7 1131 1 1 1 3 1 2 167.1 32.9 932 1 2 2 1 1 204.6 32.1 733 1 156.0 134 2 153.0 1.4 235 2 1 160.7 10.0 336 1 1 1 181.0 55.2 337 1 273.0 138 2 250.5 4.9 239 1 1 164.5 21.9 240 1 225.0 141 1 250.0 142 1 227.0 143 1 260.0 144 1 210.0 145 046 2 1 215.0 13.2 3

Total 24 322 618 291 170 261 229 194 91 25 23 7 4 2 2261


34

Table 7. Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, John Day Reservoir 1987 – 2010.


0 14 27.7 2.8 141 10 9 1 40.5 10.6 202 14 19 40.4 7.1 333 9 25 45.3 7.4 344 8 24 2 48.4 9.7 345 6 23 8 51.4 9.0 376 4 31 22 1 57.2 10.7 587 1 34 29 7 63.4 12.1 718 15 36 4 4 69.2 13.4 599 12 27 13 3 1 71.4 16.4 56

10 4 23 17 3 1 78.6 15.4 4811 2 16 9 9 83.6 18.0 3612 2 12 16 12 1 90.2 17.2 4313 2 5 7 23 8 101.9 19.2 4514 6 12 19 10 3 105.8 21.2 5015 6 12 17 19 3 109.7 20.1 5716 1 13 13 10 4 111.9 19.0 4117 1 16 20 15 3 1 1 112.0 22.5 5718 2 14 16 23 7 2 117.6 20.3 6419 14 14 13 9 116.4 22.3 5020 8 13 16 6 1 2 121.7 23.7 4621 4 15 12 16 5 128.5 23.6 5222 5 5 12 6 3 2 1 133.4 31.3 3423 1 1 7 9 4 2 2 129.7 28.9 2624 1 2 3 8 10 2 1 134.9 25.8 2725 2 5 4 4 3 3 139.6 31.3 21


35

Table 7. (continued) Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, John Day Reservoir 1987 – 2010.


26 2 5 2 3 2 4 2 147.8 39.3 2027 1 2 2 2 2 148.3 36.6 928 2 2 1 1 139.7 43.2 629 6 3 1 2 2 1 161.7 33.3 1530 1 4 1 2 1 171.3 31.9 931 1 2 3 192.3 14.0 632 1 1 1 1 2 1 166.9 41.2 733 2 2 3 1 1 172.3 34.8 934 1 1 1 181.3 39.4 335 1 1 1 171.7 55.3 336 1 141.0 137 1 2 1 181.5 29.3 438 1 214.0 139 040 1 1 183.0 33.9 241 1 210.0 142 043 1 186.0 144 1 1 186.5 24.7 245 046 1 1 213.5 13.4 247 1 1 225.0 21.2 248 049 050 2 194.5 6.4 251 1 229.0 1


36

Table 7. (continued) Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, John Day Reservoir 1987 – 2010.


52 053 1 198.0 154 055 1 1 236.0 8.5 256 057 1 227.0 158 059 060 061 1 209.0 162 063 1 240.0 1

Total 0 66 202 199 180 212 178 93 28 33 21 10 3 0 1225


37

Table 8. Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day reservoirs combined (Zone 6) 1987 – 2010.


0 53 128 22.2 3.2 1811 1 75 19 1 35.1 7.1 962 145 86 37.6 5.7 2313 92 142 1 42.3 6.3 2354 70 201 15 46.5 7.9 2865 25 178 48 51.9 9.0 2516 16 131 81 3 56.6 9.8 2317 4 117 95 11 60.9 10.8 2278 67 85 16 4 65.2 12.3 1729 1 54 80 29 5 1 67.4 14.0 170

10 2 17 67 45 12 1 76.8 15.9 14411 18 42 46 28 2 82.5 18.2 13612 8 30 51 31 3 89.1 17.5 12313 3 20 50 59 13 2 97.5 17.9 14714 2 16 39 62 24 4 1 103.3 19.9 14815 1 16 36 68 36 6 1 106.6 19.3 16416 1 8 33 64 37 10 3 111.6 20.1 15617 1 8 31 74 59 15 3 1 113.6 20.7 19218 6 30 58 72 21 5 1 118.8 20.6 19319 3 21 47 57 30 9 122.6 22.8 16720 4 23 39 65 50 9 6 127.3 24.8 19621 2 12 36 46 38 12 2 1 129.1 24.2 14922 4 6 23 38 42 8 8 3 1 136.3 28.3 13323 1 1 17 17 26 10 3 1 138.3 25.3 7624 1 4 16 25 21 16 2 1 138.3 25.5 8625 2 15 16 17 10 4 1 139.0 25.7 6526 3 10 11 10 7 7 5 1 148.3 36.3 5427 1 4 8 4 11 4 4 156.2 32.0 36


38

Table 8 (continued). Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day reservoirs combined (Zone 6) 1987 – 2010.


28 3 3 9 9 8 4 2 1 149.5 33.0 3929 2 2 11 7 5 3 4 3 1 159.4 39.5 3830 1 1 7 9 6 4 4 2 1 164.1 35.4 3531 2 2 1 4 4 5 171.2 33.3 1832 2 3 2 1 6 2 2 1 176.2 41.5 1933 3 3 3 1 2 1 176.9 39.7 1334 2 3 2 1 2 1 153.6 36.1 1135 1 2 1 2 1 170.9 35.2 736 1 1 1 2 183.0 50.4 537 1 2 1 1 199.8 48.2 538 1 1 2 2 222.2 34.1 639 1 2 1 189.3 33.9 440 1 1 1 1 1 188.4 27.2 541 2 1 1 229.0 17.9 442 1 3 204.3 39.6 443 1 1 223.0 52.3 244 1 2 194.3 22.1 345 1 201.0 146 3 2 214.4 11.5 547 1 1 225.0 21.2 248 049 050 2 194.5 6.4 251 1 2 226.7 8.7 352 053 1 198.0 154 055 1 1 236.0 8.5 2


39

Table 8 (continued). Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day reservoirs combined (Zone 6) 1987 – 2010.


56 057 1 227.0 158 059 060 1 223.0 161 1 209.0 162 063 1 240.0 164 065 1 272.0 1

…80 1 258.0 1

…104 1 264.0 1

Total 54 558 1046 634 499 686 570 336 133 74 52 29 11 4 4686


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Table 9. Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, McNary Reservoir 1993 – 1995.


0 10 26.4 2.4 101 3 29.7 7.3 32 2 46.5 3.5 23 2 48.9 0.6 24 4 54.9 2.5 45 1 4 63.1 6.3 56 4 1 56.8 9.6 57 2 3 62.5 7.5 58 2 1 58.2 8.8 39 5 3 1 67.6 16.9 9

10 4 9 3 2 74.1 14.7 1811 2 4 3 5 82.9 20.2 1412 1 7 4 6 3 1 95.0 26.5 2213 1 8 7 2 4 2 93.5 26.0 2414 2 5 6 2 2 104.4 21.2 1715 1 2 7 2 5 1 102.4 26.1 1816 5 1 5 3 3 109.6 26.9 1717 3 2 3 2 2 118.8 37.4 1218 2 4 5 1 3 7 2 113.4 36.9 2419 1 2 2 3 4 3 3 138.9 36.9 1820 1 3 1 2 6 1 146.6 33.2 1421 2 3 4 2 3 1 2 121.9 38.1 1722 6 4 2 1 2 1 119.6 30.6 1623 1 3 1 2 6 2 153.1 35.0 1524 2 1 3 2 3 153.8 30.8 1125 1 2 2 1 1 1 132.9 37.4 8


41

Table 9 (continued). Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River, McNary Reservoir 1993 – 1995.


26 1 1 3 2 1 140.6 30.4 827 1 1 1 2 127.4 23.2 528 1 1 1 1 169.5 39.3 429 1 1 194.5 16.3 230 1 1 1 1 199.8 22.7 431 2 1 204.3 28.7 332 1 1 217.0 8.5 233 2 1 199.3 13.3 334 1 202.0 135 036 1 1 232.0 12.7 237 1 232.0 138 1 272.0 139 1 221.0 140 1 253.0 141 1 200.0 142 043 1 226.0 1

…

63 1 230.0 1

Total 0 13 34 58 53 53 39 36 29 19 9 8 3 1 355


42

Table 10. Age-length frequency distribution for white sturgeon collected in the Snake River, Hells Canyon Reservoir 1992.


0 01 02 03 1 42 14 05 0

…45 1 1 202.5 30.4 2

…51 1 192 1

…91 1 252 1

…94 1 224 1

Total 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 6


43

Age

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Below Bonneville Dam Bonneville Reservoir

Age

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

The Dalles Reservoir

0 50 100 150 200 250

John Day Reservoir

Mean Length

0 50 100 150 200 250

Age

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

McNary Reservoir

Figure 3. Mean age-at-length of white sturgeon collected downstream of Priest Rapids Dam, Columbia River, 1987 – 2007.

44

C

B

A

Fork Length (cm)

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260

An

nua

l Gro

wth

In

crem

ent

(cm

/yr)

0

2

4

6

8

10

B John Day, AGI's (thru 2010)

A The Dalles, AGI's (thru 2008)

C Bonneville, AGI's (thru 2009)

Figure 4. Annual growth increments for Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day reservoirs based on recaptures of PIT tagged individual fish.

45

Table 11. Mean relative weight of white sturgeon in three reservoirs, Columbia River.

Table 12. Mean relative weight of white sturgeon downstream Bonneville Dam, Columbia River.

70-109 110-137 138-159 ≥160 AllReservoir

Year

Bonneville1999 86.36 90.87 105.89 93.96 87.782003 92.17 93.16 91.97 97.51 93.732006 94.07 96.64 101.80 90.74 98.132009 100.93 102.09 108.17 98.72 99.92

The Dalles1997 107.33 106.42 104.99 99.83 107.112002 105.75 100.78 102.50 96.13 104.622005 104.32 114.63 135.95 105.13 105.792008 99.90 99.13 125.75 106.63 100.122011

John Day1996 104.33 102.74 103.96 91.31 103.822001 94.77 97.44 93.48 94.60 99.262004 103.24 101.31 105.35 97.11 103.422007 103.09 98.06 103.49 90.45 102.732010 104.56 103.83 118.38 98.92 104.67

Fork Length (cm)

70 - 109 110 - 137 138 - 159 ≥ 160 AllYear

2008 115.71 115.712009 105.40 113.66 113.10 110.69 105.822010 107.46 120.59 134.20 138.99 108.532011 113.87 110.50 126.73 101.92 113.25

Fork Length (cm)

46

Deformation and injury rates In 1997 we examined 1,459 white sturgeon in The Dalles Reservoir and 383 white sturgeon in the Columbia River estuary for deformities and injuries. We found that 11.7% of the reservoir fish and 8.1% of the estuary fish we observed had one or more abnormalities. These were categorized as misshaped fins, abnormal barbels, eroded nares, atypical skin coloration, total or partial fin loss, asymmetrical snout, eye(s) malformed or missing, skeletal deformities and other. Abnormalities in the “other” category included incomplete opercles, fused pelvic fins, additional rows of lateral scutes and tumorous growths (Burner and Rien 2002).

Parasites From 1987 through 1997, NMFS examined sturgeon > 174 mm fork length for the presence of the nematode parasite Cystoopsis acipenseri (Table 13). The parasite is contained in blister-like cysts located just under the skin of affected fish. The parasite does not appear to kill the host (McCabe 1993). Table 13. Frequencies of occurrence and length ranges of captured juvenile white sturgeon infested with Cystoopsis acipenseri in the lower Columbia River, 1987 – 1997.

REPRODUCTION

Maturity in white sturgeon is more an artifact of size than age (Conte et al. 1988), and both can vary widely (IPC 2005). In the lower Columbia River, male white sturgeon may reach sexual maturity at around 125 cm and 12 years of age (Hanson et al. 1992). Females mature later, often taking 15 to 35 years and maturing around 165 cm (Bajkov 1949; Scott and Crossman 1973; Hanson et al. 1992; IPC 2005). Gender ratios in Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day reservoirs average 52% female and 48% male based on observation of gonadal tissue (Table14).

Once reaching maturity white sturgeon may spawn several times over the course of their life (Scott and Crossman 1973; Bemis and Kynard 1997; Webb and Kappenman 2008). Reproductive periodicity in the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam appears to be a 2 to 5+ year cycle in females and the estimated maximum fraction of females spawning annually is 10-33% (Webb and Kappenman 2008). Reproductive periodicity has not been determined for white sturgeon in Bonneville, The Dalles,

Year Total No. Examined No. Infected (%) Length range (mm Fk)

1987 1,534 217 (14%) 240 - 4421988 1,824 148 (8%) 252 - 4331989 1,822 24 (1%) 294 - 4051990 903 31 (3%) 291 - 3791991 726 60 (8%) 252 - 4521994 157 27 (17%) 303 - 4671995 251 14 (6%) 311 - 3911996 126 28 (22%) 266 - 3611997 258 60 (23%) 257 - 456

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and John Day reservoirs though limited data has been collected (Table 15). We found females in all stages of maturation in all of the months that we sampled (Figure 5).

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Table 14. Percent of gender assigned white sturgeon in three reservoirs, Columbia River from 1987 – 2005. Unknown reservoir fish were commercial fish that couldn’t be assigned to a specific reservoir.

Year n Length range (FL cm) n Length range (FL cm) n Length range (FL cm)

1987 1,136 84 - 176 619 (54%) 84 - 173 517 (46%) 84 - 176 Bonneville 65 101 - 143 32 (50%) 105 - 141 33 (50%) 101 - 143 The Dalles 531 84 - 170 287 (54%) 84 - 170 244 (46%) 84 - 166 John Day 219 101 - 176 124 (57%) 101 - 173 95 (43%) 104 - 176 Unknown 321 103 - 172 176 (55%) 103 - 166 145 (45%) 103 - 172

1988 876 85 - 273 466 (53%) 85 - 230 410 (47%) 87 - 273 Bonneville 433 85 - 246 221 (51%) 85 - 215 212 (49%) 87 - 246 The Dalles 191 91 - 273 101 (53%) 92 - 230 90 (47%) 91 - 273 John Day 176 102 - 171 106 (60%) 102 - 162 70 (40%) 105 - 171 Unknown 76 106 - 160 38 (50%) 107 - 152 38 (50%) 106 - 160



1991 303 90 - 272 152 (50%) 92 - 229 151 (50%) 90 - 272 Bonneville 178 90 - 272 80 (45%) 92 - 222 98 (55%) 90 - 272 The Dalles 84 106 - 216 56 (67%) 108 - 216 28 (33%) 106 - 192 John Day 41 97 - 229 16 (39%) 100 - 229 25 (61%) 97 - 204

Gender Assigned Male Female

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Table 14 (continued). Percent of gender assigned white sturgeon in three reservoirs, Columbia River from 1987 – 2005. Unknown reservoir fish were commercial fish that couldn’t be assigned to a specific reservoir.


1992 2 114 - 151 0 2 (100%) 114 - 151 Bonneville 1 151 0 1 (100%) 151 The Dalles 1 114 0 1 (100%) 114

1993 31 126 - 232 19 (61%) 126 - 232 13 (42%) 138 - 235 Below Bonneville 10 126 - 235 5 (50%) 126 - 161 5 (50%) 222 - 235 Bonneville 3 143 - 199 2 (67%) 160 - 199 1 (33%) 143 The Dalles 4 138 - 164 2 (50%) 155 - 164 2 (50%) 138 - 160 McNary 14 146 - 232 9 (64%) 146 - 232 5 (36%) 151 - 230

1994 42 157 - 268 24 (57%) 157 - 233 18 (43%) 160 - 268 Bonneville 21 161 - 264 11 (52%) 163 - 233 10 (48%) 161 - 264 The Dalles 21 157 - 168 13 (62%) 157 - 223 8 (38%) 160 - 268

1995 91 156 - 253 56 (62%) 156 - 226 35 (38%) 158 - 253 McNary 91 156 -253

1996 48 105 - 224 30 (63%) 105 - 231 18 (38%) 107 - 244 Bonneville 8 106 - 146 4 (50%) 106 - 131 4 (50%) 109- 146 The Dalles 1 156 1 (100%) 156 0 John Day 37 105 - 244 24 (65%) 105 - 231 13 (35%) 107 - 244 McNary 2 116 - 135 1 (50%) 116 1 (50%) 135

1997 78 104 - 229 47 (60%) 104 - 227 31 (40%) 106 - 229 Below Bonneville 1 123 1 (100%) 123 0 Bonneville 4 109 - 117 0 4 (100%) 109 - 117 The Dalles 31 104 - 229 19 (61%0 104 - 181 12 (39%) 107 - 229 John Day 41 105 - 122 26 (63%) 105 - 122 15 (37%) 106 - 121 McNary 1 227 1 (100%) 227 0


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Table 14 (continued). Percent of gender assigned white sturgeon in three reservoirs, Columbia River from 1987 – 2005. Unknown reservoir fish were commercial fish that couldn’t be assigned to a specific reservoir.


1998 205 104 - 142 105 (51%) 106 - 134 100 (49%) 104 - 142 Bonneville 5 104 - 113 1 (20%) 113 4 (80%) 104 - 109 The Dalles 145 105 - 142 78 (54%) 106 - 134 67 (46%) 105 - 142 John Day 55 106 - 135 26 (47%) 107 - 132 29 (53%) 106 - 135

1999 151 105 - 138 81 (54%) 106 - 133 70 (46%) 105 - 138 Bonneville 26 106 - 133 2 (8%) 107 - 109 24 (92%) 106 - 133 The Dalles 100 105 - 138 54 (54%) 106 - 132 46 (46%) 105 - 138 John Day 25 106 - 133 25 (100%) 106 -133 0

2000 122 103 - 136 58 (48%) 105 - 136 64 (52%) 103 - 136 Bonneville 4 105 - 122 1 (25%) 114 3 (75%) 105 - 122 The Dalles 99 103 - 136 50 (51%) 105 -136 49 (49%) 103 - 136 John Day 19 105 - 132 7 (37%) 106 - 118 12 (63%) 105 - 132

2001 183 106 - 137 94 (51%) 107 - 135 89 (49%) 104 - 137 Bonneville 18 107 - 135 7 (39%) 107 - 135 11 (61%) 107 - 135 The Dalles 73 106 - 137 39 (53%) 107 - 134 34 (47%) 106 - 137 John Day 92 106 - 134 48 (52%) 107 - 134 44 (48%) 106 - 132

2003 18 159 - 252 5 (28%) 165 - 217 13 (72%) 159 - 252 Bonneville 18 159 - 252 5 (28%) 165 - 217 13 (72%) 159 - 252

2005 1 119 1 (100%) 119 0 The Dalles 1 119 1 (100%) 119 0

Total 5,153 77 - 273 2,661 (52% 77 - 233 2,493 (48% 84 - 273


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Table 15. Gonad development stage of female white sturgeon collected between Bonneville and Priest Rapids dams, Columbia River, by fork length interval, 1987 – 1997.

ReservoirForklength Year of Year after >one year(cm) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Total capture capture post-capture

Bonneville80-99 3 1 2 0 2 170 178 2 4 172100-119 37 8 7 0 13 444 509 7 45 457120-139 2 1 3 0 1 77 84 3 3 78140-159 1 0 1 0 0 11 13 1 1 11160-179 1 1 0 0 0 3 5 0 2 3180-199 2 1 1 0 0 3 7 1 3 3200-219 3 6 2 0 1 3 15 2 9 4>219 7 10 5 2 2 2 28 5 17 6

Total % 56 28 21 2 19 713 839 21 (3%) 84 (10%) 734 (87%) The Dalles

80-99 0 0 0 0 0 14 14 0 0 14100-119 4 1 0 0 0 240 245 0 5 240120-139 5 3 0 0 3 199 210 0 8 202140-159 12 5 4 0 2 95 118 4 17 97160-179 7 5 1 0 1 17 31 1 12 18180-199 4 2 1 0 1 3 11 1 6 4200-219 5 0 2 0 0 1 8 2 5 1>219 5 2 2 0 0 2 11 2 7 2

Total % 42 18 10 0 7 571 648 10 (2%) 60 (9%) 578 (89%)

John Day80-99 0 0 0 0 0 9 9 0 0 9100-119 0 0 0 0 0 82 82 0 0 82120-139 2 1 0 0 0 43 46 0 3 43140-159 1 0 2 0 1 22 26 2 1 23160-179 2 1 1 0 0 3 7 1 3 3180-199 2 1 0 0 0 1 4 0 3 1200-219 4 2 0 0 1 2 9 0 6 3>219 4 1 1 0 2 1 9 1 5 3

Total % 15 6 4 0 4 163 192 4 (2%) 21 (11%) 167 (87%)

Developmental stage a Expected spawning year b

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Table 15 (continued). Gonad development stage of female white sturgeon collected between Bonneville and Priest Rapids dams, Columbia River, by fork length interval, 1987 – 1997.

ReservoirForklength Year of Year after >one year(cm) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Total capture capture post-capture

McNary Reservoir and Hanford Reach c

100-119 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0120-139 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0140-159 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 1160-179 1 1 2 0 0 6 10 2 2 6180-199 0 2 0 0 1 2 5 0 2 3200-219 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 1>219 6 0 0 0 0 5 11 0 6 5

Total % 7 5 2 0 1 15 30 2 (7%) 12 (40%) 16 (53%)

Unknown Reservoir80-99 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0100-119 1 0 1 0 0 31 33 1 1 31120-139 1 0 2 0 0 11 14 2 1 11140-159 0 1 1 0 0 4 6 1 1 4160-179 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 1180-199 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0200-219 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0>219 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0

Total % 3 3 5 0 0 47 58 5 (9%) 6 (10%) 47 (81%)a 1=Early vitellogenic, 2=Late vitellogenic, 3=Ripe, 4=Spent (post-spawn), 5=Previtellogenic

with attritic oocytes, and 6=Pre-vitellogenic.b Fish in stage 3 were expected to spawn in the year they were captured; fish in stages 1 and

2 were expected to spawn the year after they were captured; and fish in stages 4, 5, and 6were not expected to spawn until two or more years after capture.

c White sturgeon <110 cm fork length were not available for examination due to the legalsizeslot limit for the recreational fishery in this area and period. Fish 110-137 cm forklength were unlikely to be sampled since commercial fisheries did not occur in this area andthe recreational fishery was only sampled in 1994.

Developmental stage a Expected spawning year b

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Figure 5. Mean egg diameter of pre-vitellogenic (yellow), early and late vitellogenic (brown), and ripe (black) female white sturgeon collected from the Columbia River between Bonneville Dam and McNary Dam, 1987 – 1997. Sampling for white sturgeon eggs and larvae was conducted from 1986 – 1995. White Sturgeon eggs and larvae were encountered downstream and upstream of Bonneville dam. Eggs and larvae were collected in 6 of 6 sampling years downstream of Bonneville Dam, 5 of 5 years in Bonneville Reservoir, 5 of 5 years in The Dalles Reservoir, 3 of 3 years in John Day Reservoir, and 3 of 3 years in McNary Reservoir.

Sampling for age-0 white sturgeon has been conducted annually from 1987 to 2010. Age-0 white sturgeon were encountered both downstream and upstream of Bonneville dam. Age-0 sturgeon were collected in 15 of 15 sampling years downstream of Bonneville Dam, 18 of 21

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years in Bonneville Reservoir, 15 of 19 years in The Dalles Reservoir, 6 of 17 years in John Day Reservoir and 9 of 15 years in McNary Reservoir (Table 1).

FOOD HABITS

From 1987 through 1990 a total of 435 juvenile and age-0 white sturgeon stomachs were examined for contents (Table16). In 1987 stomach contents were collected from The Dalles Reservoir by gastric lavage and emetics. Both were successful in at least partial recovery of contents, however, gastric lavage caused damage to the juvenile white sturgeon. In 1988 whole-stomach contents were examined from below Bonneville Dam. In 1989 stomach contents were collected from Bonneville and The Dalles reservoirs by an emetic and then sacrifice to observe the success of the stomach evacuation. In addition whole-stomach contents were collected from below Bonneville. In 1990 whole-stomach contents were collected from Bonneville and The Dalles reservoirs.

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Table 16. Stomach contents of juvenile and age-0 white sturgeon collected in the Columbia River from 1987-1990. Year 1987 1988 1989 1990

18 Juvenile 292 Juvenile 29 Juvenile 72 Age-0 Prey 24 Age-0

Crustaceansa X X X X Amphipodsb X X X X Decapodsc X Copepods X Hexapodsd X X X Nematodese X X Platyhelminthesf X Molluscag X X X Chordatah X X Fish eggsi X

a Includes Lithoglyphys spp, Neomysis spp., cladocera b Includes Anisoqammarus spp., Corophium spp, Ramelloqammarus spp., gammarids c Includes Pacificatus spp. d Includes ephemeroptera, trichoptera, hemiptera, heleidae, chironomidae e Includes Neanthes spp., oliochaeta f Includes turbellaria g Includes Fluminicola spp., hydrobiidae, Corbicula spp h Includes unidentified fish i Includes eulachon

HABITAT

Spawning habitat requirements White sturgeon spawning habitat is influenced by water velocity and water temperature. Spawning takes place when the water temperature is 10 – 18o C and water column velocities are greater than 0.8 m/s over cobble and boulder substrates. Spring and early summer freshets and river morphology provide the velocity and turbidity to promote spawning and protect eggs and larvae from predation (Parsley et al. 1993 and McCabe and Tracy 1994).

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Rearing habitat requirements Age-0 white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River prefer deep (9 – 57 m), low velocity areas, where substrate particle sizes are small (Parsley et al. 1993). Parsley et al. (1993) noted that more than 99% of juvenile white sturgeon > 15 cm were encountered over sand, and that they appeared to prefer the main river channel.

In riverine environments, white sturgeon seem to prefer free flowing stretches (Bajkov 1951; Haynes et al. 1979), though they are also known to inhabit more lentic habitats as well (Haynes et al. 1979). In the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam, immature white sturgeon have been observed migrating upstream in the fall and downstream in the spring (Bajkov 1951; Parsley et al. 2008). This pattern was also noted for white sturgeon inhabiting free flowing stretches of the Hanford Reach (Rkm 552 - 639) located further upstream in the Columbia River (Haynes et al. 1979).

Habitats

Columbia River The Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam stretches 234 km from the ocean to Bonneville Dam (Rkm 0 – 234), and has a surface area of 61,148 ha. The lower river has an extensive nonvegetated littoral zone; this zone, which encompasses 55% of the total area of the lower river, is less than 4 m deep. The lower river has a predominantly sand substrate (Parsley and Beckman 1994). John Day, The Dalles, and Bonneville reservoirs are a series of run-of-the-river impoundments operated for hydroelectric power generation, navigation, and flood control on the main-stem Columbia River (Figure 1). In all three reservoirs, littoral zones are limited, hydrologic retention times are short (average, 1- 5 d), and current is measurable most of the year.

Bonneville Reservoir (Rkm 234 – 309), Columbia River, was formed in 1938 with the completion of Bonneville Dam. It is 75-km long and is 7,632 ha in surface area at full pool (Parsley and Beckman 1994). Bonneville Reservoir is shallow (average depth, 6.7 m) and has a mostly sand substrate, which supports large beds of rooted aquatic macrophytes during summer (Parsley and Beckman 1994; Beamesderfer et al. 1995).

The Dalles Reservoir (Rkm 309 – 348), Columbia River, was formed in 1957 with the completion of The Dalles Dam. It is 39-km long and is 3,639 ha in surface area at full pool (Parsley and Beckman 1994). It is the smallest and the most riverine of the Columbia River impoundments bordering Oregon, with cobble, gravel, and sand substrates distributed throughout most of its length. Nine percent of the reservoir is less than 4 m deep (Parsley and Beckman 1994; Beamesderfer et al. 1995).

John Day Reservoir (Rkm 348 – 470), Columbia River, was formed in 1967 with the completion of John Day Dam. It is 122-km long and 19,781 ha in surface area at full pool (Parsley and Beckman 1994). It is the largest and most diverse of the three lower river reservoirs. This reservoir grades from a riverine upper third with gravel and cobble substrate to a shallow

57

transition zone with sand substrate to a more lentic lower section with steep cliff and boulder sides. Twenty-five percent of the reservoir is less than 5 m deep (Parsley and Beckman 1994; Beamesderfer et al. 1995).

McNary Reservoir (Rkm 470 – 639), Columbia River, was formed in 1953 with the completion of McNary Dam. It is 103-km long and 11,635 ha in surface area at full pool (Parsley And Beckman 1994). The Hanford Reach, the longest free-flowing section of the Columbia River upstream of Bonneville Dam, has substrates that range from large cobble to fine sand (Geist et al. 2006). Sonar surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy showed the amount of fine sediment decreased from 90% at McNary Dam to 51% travelling upstream to Port Kelly. Substrate at the Port of Kennewick is composed of 4% gravel, 82% sand, 9% silt and 5% clay (Pinza et al. 1992). At the Port of Burbank no samples were collected as the bottom was bedrock (USACE 1993).

Snake River Hells Canyon Reservoir (Rkm 397 – 439), Snake River, was formed in 1967 with the completion of Hells Canyon Dam. It is 42-km long and 1,000 ha in surface area at full pool with a maximum depth of 75 m. The reservoir has been classified as meso-eutrophic. Reservoir shorelines are generally steep, and substrates consist primarily of basalt outcrops and talus slopes. The average hydraulic retention time for Hells Canyon Reservoir is 4 days (Myers and Foster 2003).

Oxbow Reservoir (Rkm 439 – 459) Snake River, was formed in 1961 with the completion of Oxbow Dam. It is 20-km long and 459 ha in surface area at full pool. It is relatively narrow with a mean width of 242 m and shallow, with a mean depth of 15 m. Its maximum depth is approximately 25 m. The reservoir is surrounded by moderate to steep topography (20 to 75% slopes). The reservoir has been classified as meso-eutrophic. From the tailrace of Brownlee Dam to the mouth of Wildhorse Creek (1.6 km downstream) is a swift, narrow channel. Shorelines are primarily basalt outcrops and talus, except where small tributaries have created alluvial fans. The average hydraulic retention time for Oxbow Reservoir is 1.4 days (Myers and Foster 2003).

POPULATION

Population estimates have fluctuated through time (Table 17). Fluctuations in abundance have been influenced by natural and fishing mortality, immigration and emigration, and annual reproductive success. Differences in CPUE (Tables 18 – 22) illustrate changes in the relative density of the white sturgeon population through time.

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Table 17. Abundance estimates for Zone 6 reservoirs and the Hanford Reach of McNary Reservoir, 1987 – 2010.

30-72 inch total length Number of fish by total length interval (inches) Number Year N (95% CI) 24-36 36-48 48-60 60-72 72+ Sum haa

Hanford Reach and McNary Reservoir 1995 5,234 (3,782-9,086) 900 2,700 3,400 1,250 8,250 0.7

Bonneville Reservoir

1989 35,400 (27,500-45,400) 32,900 16,700 1,000 200 600 51,400 6.7 1994 35,200 (24,800-66,000) 31,300 18,300 1,300 200 900 52,000 6.8 1999 85,400b 82,400 41,800 3,200 600 400 128,400 16.8 2003 74,000b 84,500 33,000 1,100 120 780 119,500 15.6 2006 113,300b 159,000 45,200 590 350 240 205,400 26.9 2009 235,713b 223,955 106,086 3,112 207 1,06 334,424 43.8

The Dalles Reservoir 1987 23,600 (15,700-33,600) 7,800 11,000 6,100 1,80 1,000 27,700 7.6 1988 9,000 (7,300-11,000) 4,200 4,300 1,500 500 800 11,300 3.1 1994 9,700 (7,500-14,000) 5,800 5,700 800 <50 300 12,600 3.5 2002 33,000 (26,200-42,000) 82,900 13,500 5,900 1,20 800 104,300 28.7 2005 45,700 (37,000-56,300) 90,600 10,200 1,100 500 400 102,800 28.2 2008 123,410b 55,600 74,800 1,650 200 950 133,200 36.6

John Day Reservoir1990 3,900 (2,300-6,100) 16,600 1,700 400 100 500 19,300 1.0 1996 27,100 (23,800-30,800) 5,800 19,700 4,050 350 700 30,600 1.5 2001 19,600b 14,900 12,800 1,100 300 900 30,000 1.5 2004 30,000b 30,200 11,500 1,100 170 470 43,500 2.2 2007 39,020b 17,834 21,793 1,587 529 841 42,584 2.1

2010 37,635b 4,472 29,110 3,900 718 2,449 40,649 2.0 a Hanford Reach and McNary Reservoir = 11,635 hectare; Bonneville Reservoir = 7,632 hectare;

The Dalles Reservoir = 3,639 hectare; John Day Reservoir = 19,781 hectare. b Confidence intervals for these estimates are not provided because they are derived from

expansion, not directly calculated from mark-recapture data.

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Table 18. Effort (sets), catch, and catch per unit effort (CPUE, in italics) by year for gears set downstream of Bonneville Dam, Columbia River. Setlines Young of Year Gillnet Year Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE

2004 78 336 4.3 2005 95 328 3.5 2006 173 316 1.8 2008 96 184 1.9 2009 128 1023 8.0 96 607 6.3 2010 242 1937 8.0 107 64 0.6

Table 19. Effort (sets), catch, and catch per unit effort (CPUE, in italics) by year for gears set in Bonneville Reservoir, Columbia River.

Year Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE1988 170 484 2.81989 775 3386 4.41991 8 203 25.4 333 1754 5.31993 19 35 1.81994 4 136 34.0 603 1081 1.81999 600 3538 5.9 729 7378 10.12003 625 2996 4.8 4 1 0.3 610 6653 10.92006 433 3853 8.9 708 5339 7.5 39 527 13.52007 39 297 7.62008 39 432 11.12009 75 3739 49.9 479 4776 10.0 39 325 8.32010 38 179 4.7

Commercial Gillnet Experimental Gillnet Setline Young of Year Gillnet

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Table 20. Effort (sets), catch, and catch per unit effort (CPUE, in italics) by year for gears set in The Dalles Reservoir, Columbia River.

Year Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE1988 675 1586 2.31987 87 184 2.1 233 827 3.51989 70 232 3.31991 10 58 5.8 213 527 2.51993 6 54 9.01994 8 22 2.8 429 863 2.01997 769 3742 4.9 7 22 3.1 731 4502 6.2 35 219 6.31998 56 832 14.91999 3 45 15.0 36 686 19.12000 36 144 4.02001 36 247 6.92002 1035 3046 2.9 563 5622 10.0 35 66 1.92003 36 59 1.62004 36 64 1.82005 1058 3358 3.2 493 3952 8.0 33 30 0.92006 36 103 2.92007 36 75 2.12008 228 4372 19.2 496 4103 8.3 36 103 2.92009 36 90 2.52010 33 124 3.8


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Table 21. Effort (sets), catch, and catch per unit effort (CPUE, in italics) by year for gears set in John Day Reservoir, Columbia River.

Table 22. Effort (sets), catch, and catch per unit effort (CPUE, in italics) by year for gears set in McNary Reservoir, Columbia River.

Year Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE1989 6 33 5.51990 26 236 9.1 1189 623 0.51991 112 157 1.41996 810 1212 1.5 17 7 0.4 1128 3193 2.81997 40 106 2.71998 52 145 2.81999 41 82 2.02000 40 63 1.62001 1561 3020 1.9 813 5581 6.9 40 39 1.02002 40 13 0.32003 40 12 0.32004 1409 2848 2.0 568 3490 6.1 40 27 0.72005 40 18 0.52006 40 20 0.52007 804 4378 5.4 580 2221 3.8 40 13 0.32008 40 8 0.22009 41 10 0.22010 543 4022 7.4 606 2140 3.5 41 22 0.5


Year Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE Sets Catch CPUE1993 192 169 0.91995 21 0 0.0 1252 820 0.71999 80 23 0.32000 36 15 0.42001 24 5 0.22002 36 10 0.32003 36 3 0.12004 36 0 0.02005 36 2 0.12006 37 5 0.12007 36 4 0.12008 36 7 0.22009 36 4 0.12010 36 2 0.1

Experimental Gillnet Setline Young of Year Gillnet

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Figure 6. Setline catches by year in the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam. Sampling conducted between July and September. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year.

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 7 (continued). Setline catches by year in Bonneville Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between April and September. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 7 (continued). Setline catches by year in Bonneville Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between April and September. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year.

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 8. Setline catches by year in The Dalles Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between April and September. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 8 (continued). Setline catches by year in The Dalles Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between April and September. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 8 (continued). Setline catches by year in The Dalles Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between April and September. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 9. Setline catches by year in John Day Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between April and September. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 9 (continued). Setline catches by year in John Day Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between April and September. Shaded area represents the harvest catch slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 10. Setline catches by year in in McNary Reservoir, Columbia and lower Snake Rivers. Sampling conducted between April and September. Shaded area represents the sport catch slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 11. Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam. Sampling conducted between September and December.

73

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 11 (continued). Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam. Sampling conducted between September and December.

74

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2008 N = 461Mean Fk Length = 42.5 cm

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2009 N=325Mean Fk Length 47.6 cm

Fork Length (cm)

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ber

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Figure 12. Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in Bonneville Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

75

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

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2010 N= 253Mean Fk Length = 46.4

Fork Length (cm)

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Figure 12 (continued). Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in Bonneville Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

76

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Figure 13. Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in The Dalles Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

77

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Figure 13 (continued). Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in The Dalles Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

78

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Figure 13 (continued). Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in The Dalles Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

79

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 13 (continued). Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in The Dalles Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

80

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Figure 14. Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in John Day Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

81

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Figure 14 (continued). Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in John Day Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

82

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Figure 14 (continued). Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in John Day Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

83

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 14 (continued). Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in John Day Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

84

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2002 N=10Mean Fk Length 65.0cm

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ber

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Figure 15. Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in McNary Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

85

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Figure 15 (continued). Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in McNary Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

86

0

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Figure 15 (continued). Small-mesh gillnet catches by year in McNary Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between September and December.

87

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Figure 16. Large-mesh gillnet catches by year in Bonneville Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between December and March. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

88

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Figure 17. Large-mesh gillnet catches by year in The Dalles Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between December and March. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

89

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

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2001 N=3,011Mean Fk Length = 97.0 cm

0

10

20

30

40

50

60


Figure 18. Large-mesh gillnet catches by year in John Day Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between December and March. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

90

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

0

50

100

150

200


Num

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 18 (continued). Large-mesh gillnet catches by year in John Day Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between December and March. Shaded area represents the harvest catch slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

91

0

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Fork Length (cm) Figure 19. Experimental gillnet catches by year in Bonneville Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between December and March. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

92

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1994 N=22Mean Fk length = 70.8 cmN

umbe

r of

Whi

te S

turg

eon

Fork Length (cm) Figure 20. Experimental gillnet catches by year in The Dalles Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between December and March. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

93

0

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Fork Length (cm)0 50 100 150 200 250 300

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5

1996 N=7Mean Fk length =86.5cm

Figure 21. Experimental gillnet catches by year in John Day Reservoir, Columbia River. Sampling conducted between December and March. Shaded area represents the sport harvest slot limits for that year. Please note the harvestable size slot is variable by year.

Mortality rates by age Mortality rates were originally based on catch curves and have been modified over the years based on capture-recapture information. We moved from strictly using catch curves to a two-tier rate based on age. In the two-tier system we assigned a mortality rate of 0.787 for fish 1-3 years-old based on catch curves (Beamesderfer et al. 1995) and a mortality rate for sturgeon 4+ years-old of 0.937 based on our maximum likelihood estimate of survival from PIT tag recoveries in Bonneville Reservoir from 1986 – 2011 (ODFW, unpublished data). This estimate for 4+ white sturgeon is similar to mortality rates calculated for the upper Columbia and Kootenai River white sturgeon population segments (Golder Associates Ltd 2007; Justice et al. 2008).

94

Genetic Diversity White sturgeon are believed to be octoploid -- an organism with eight complete sets of homologous chromosomes based on the number (~500) of chromosomes they possess (Blacklidge and Bidwell 1993; Ludwig et al. 2001; Rodzen and May 2002). However, this is not wholly the case, as inheritance appears to be locus specific. Rodzen and May (2002) noted that locus depending, ploidy levels in white sturgeon range from disomy, two copies of a chromosome, to at least octosomy, eight copies of a chromosome. Although they are closely related, there appear to be small, significant genetic differences among white sturgeon populations from the Sacramento, Columbia and Fraser river systems (Bartley et al. 1985, Brown et al. 1992, Anders and Powell 2002; Drauch-Scheier 2011). White sturgeon are capable of long distance migrations through both fresh and salt water, but evidence to support high levels of contemporary gene flow is limited. This conclusion is consistent with recaptures of marked white sturgeon that indicate movement between river systems is uncommon (Chadwick 1959; Galbreath 1985; DeVore and Grimes 1993; Watts 2006; Welch et al. 2006).

MANAGEMENT

Harvest history and regulation changes The Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam is co-managed by Oregon and Washington; upstream of Bonneville Dam the four treaty tribes, Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama are also co-managers. Seasons and quotas for commercial harvest are set by the Columbia River Compact with guidance from the Joint State Accord that is negotiated approximately every 3 years and the Sturgeon Management Task Force. The Compact is made up of agency directors, or their delegates, acting on behalf of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. In addition, the Columbia River treaty tribes participate through the Sturgeon Management Task Force and US v Oregon. The Compact provides authority to adopt seasons and rules for Columbia River commercial fisheries as follows: All laws and regulations now existing, or which may be necessary for regulating, protecting, or preserving fish in the waters of the Columbia River, over which the States of Oregon and Washington have concurrent jurisdiction, or any other waters within either of said states, which would affect the concurrent jurisdiction, shall be made, changed, altered and amended in whole or in part, only with the mutual consent and approbation of both states (Oregon Rev. Stat. § 507.010). Recreational fisheries are established during Joint State Hearings by ODFW and WDFW. These hearings are functionally similar to the Compact hearings; however, since the Compact is only empowered to enact commercial fishing actions they are treated as separate events. Functionally, Compact hearings and Joint State Hearings often act on similar issues, and therefore often occur at the same time.

95

Population estimates and trends are supplied to managers who set seasons and quotas that provide for enough survival through the harvest slot to increase the population of adults into the spawning portion of the population. Over the years the management of the lower Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam and the reservoirs upstream of it have changed with more restrictive slot limits (Figures 6-10 and 16-21), reduced harvest quotas (Table 24) and fishing sanctuaries to protect spawning adults.

Angler Survey Angler survey methodology was established by WDFW in 1995 to sample in The Dalles Reservoir for mark recovery, biological profiling data, and information regarding catch and effort for sport harvest (James et al. 1997). As detailed in James et al. (1997; 2002) and Langness et al. (2002), sport harvest was derived from estimates of total angler effort obtained through angler counts and catch rates determined from angler interviews. Samplers interviewed anglers at bank fishing sites and boat ramps to determine angler type and catch per hour of effort for each species in the catch with a goal of sampling about twenty percent of the harvest. Samplers collected data from both incomplete and complete angler trips. Interview data collected included: angling method (bank or boat), target species, hours fished, number of anglers in the party, fishing location, state of residence, species, number of fish caught, number released, total length of all retained fish, and mark sample data for white sturgeon, Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., and walleye sander vitreus. Catch was sampled for fork and total lengths, weights, sex, age, and maturity.

Tribal Commercial Fishery The tribal commercial fishery occurs in the area between Bonneville and McNary Dams. Numbers of white sturgeon landed in the commercial fisheries is estimated from poundage reported on fish receiving tickets for each gear type and reservoir. These estimates do not include white sturgeon harvested during treaty subsistence fisheries. White sturgeon landed in the tribal commercial fisheries are sampled at buying stations by WDFW and ODFW personnel. The same mark recovery and biological data collected from the recreational harvest are collected on a random sample of fish landed in tribal commercial fisheries. Pounds of white sturgeon landed are converted to number of fish by applying an average weight per fish obtained during biological sampling by field crews. Average weights are calculated by statistical week and applied to the total poundage for each week. If the sample size is less than 30 for the week, data from successive weeks are combined until a sample size of at least 30 is obtained. This approach to derive numbers landed is considered more realistic than just taking numbers from the commercial landing tickets (sales are in pounds and therefore carefully recorded, whereas numbers on the tickets are often just estimated during large deliveries).

96

In 1988, Washington required that fish tickets report the catch location according to specific reservoir. Oregon buyers were not required to separate tribal landings by reservoir on their fish tickets until 1989. Therefore fish landed at Oregon buying stations prior to 1989 were recorded as reservoir unknown.

Trawl and Haul In 1993 we proposed activities that would address the feasibility of mitigating lost recruitment and habitat connectivity in the impounded reaches upstream of Bonneville Dam by transplanting naturally produced white sturgeon from areas of stable recruitment within the lower Columbia River to impounded reaches thereby directly increasing white sturgeon biomass in the impounded reaches. This would improve the status of impounded white sturgeon populations by contributing individuals that would eventually recruit to the spawning population. The first year, the objectives were to estimate catch rate, and evaluate handling procedures and short-term mortality associated with capture, processing (measuring length and weight, removing scutes, PIT tagging, and injecting with oxytetracycline), and transportation of juvenile and sub-adult white sturgeon. Trawling efforts occurred primarily in the navigation channel of the Columbia River between Rkm 209 and 212. This area was selected because it was the nearest site to The Dalles Reservoir with previously documented high catch rates of sub-adult white sturgeon. Two different trawl types and vessels were used for fish collection. The NMFS deployed a 7.9-m (head rope length) semi-balloon shrimp trawl from a 12.2-m research vessel. The USGS operated a 7.3-m research vessel and fished a 6.2-m high-rise shrimp trawl with and without a cod-end liner. The number and duration of tows conducted each day varied with catch rate and transport goal. NMFS conducted tows while traveling upstream and downstream; USGS only made upstream tows. In 1993 most fish were processed onboard a 7.5-m ODFW research vessel anchored at rkm 210 and released on-site. In 1994 we processed fish onboard a contracted 9.1-m vessel and the ODFW research vessel. In 1995 we processed fish onboard a contracted 7.3 x 21.9-m barge propelled by a 15.2-m tugboat. The barge was equipped with six 520-L plastic totes for holding fish. Each tote received a minimum of 37.8 L/minute of pumped fresh river water. We measured fork length (cm) and weight (0.1 kg) of most white sturgeon captured in 1993 and from transported fish in 1994 and 1995 (Table 23). We selected white sturgeon 35-80 cm for processing and transport in 1993 and 1994 (fish outside this length interval were released at the capture site). In 1995 we selected white sturgeon 30-92 cm for processing and transport. Each transported fish received a PIT tag. No transported sturgeon were PIT tagged after 1995. In 1994 we transported fish from the capture site to The Dalles Reservoir by boat. We contracted with a private firm that provided a 9.1-m vessel and operator to complete this task. After 1994 we transported all white sturgeon in either a 9,462-L or 13,247-L fish transport truck. The same barge used as the floating platform for fish processing served to ferry these vehicles between the fishing area and a boat ramp where they were driven off the barge.

97

Some advantages of Trawl and Haul include instant augmentation of several year classes, immediacy and flexibility of the action, and increases to upstream gene flow which maintains genetic diversity. However, this requires a robust donor population, and due to decreased catches the program was discontinued after 2005. Table 23. Numbers and distribution of transported juvenile and sub-adult white sturgeon by year. Transport was not conducted in 1996 and 1997.

The Dalles John DayYear Reservoir (n) Reservoir (n) Total

1994 2,838 2,8381995 5,611 5,6111998 3,257 5,534 8,7911999 77 4,171 4,2482000 1,163 4,019 5,1822001 1,257 5,195 6,4522002 941 4,177 5,1182003 10 2,951 2,9612004 300 3002005 800 800

Total 15,154 27,147 42,301

98

Table 24. Harvest history and regulation changes for Zone 6, Columbia River 1996 – 2010. (Table provided by WDFW).

23-Aug-11

Area/Fishery Guide-line Catch

Guide-line Catch Guide-line 1998 Catch 1999 Catch 2000 Catch Guide-line Catch Guide-line Catch

Bonneville Pool

Sport 1,350 1,353 1,520 1,463 1,520 1,626 1,2362

1,262 1,520 1,426 1,520 1,560Treaty Commercial 1,250 1,005 1,300 1,852 1,300 1,462 1,280 1,165 1,300 1,287 1,300 472Total 2,600 2,358 2,820 3,315 2,820 3,088 2,516 2,427 2,820 2,713 2,820 2,032

Treaty Subsistence -- 260 -- 130 -- 109 90 191 174 146Abundance estimate 11,000The Dalles PoolSport 100 60

2 200 178 600-800 857 694

2 809 700 677 700 878

Treaty Commercial300 230 400 498 1,000-1,200 1,108 1,051 1,342 1,100 1,215 1,100 1,152

Total 400 290 600 676 1,800 1,965 1,745 2,151 1,800 1,892 1,800 2,030

Treaty Subsistence -- 120 -- 40 -- 86 116 128 276 197Abundance estimate 8,100 5,930John Day PoolSport 100 50

2 560 464 560 593 422 434 560 299 165 187

Treaty Commercial 100 360 1,160 1,260 1,160 1,100 760 788 1,160 755 335 326Total 200 410 1,720 1,724 1,720 1,693 1,182 1,222 1,720 1,054 500 513

Treaty Subsistence -- 110 -- 63 -- 45 28 24 26 27Abundance estimate 4,050 1,320Zone 6 Total

Sport1,550 1,463 2,280 2,105 2,680-2,880 3,076 2,352 2,505 2,780 2,402 2,385 2,625

Treaty Commercial1,650 1,595 2,860 3,610 3,460-3,660 3,670 3,091 3,295 3,560 3,257 2,735 1,950

Total 3,200 3,058 5,140 5,715 6,340 6,746 5,443 5,800 6,340 5,659 5,120 4,575

Treaty Subsistence 490 233 240 234 343 476 370

Sport closure dates

Bonneville Pool 1-Apr 5-Apr 20-Apr 17-Apr 8-Apr The Dalles Pool 1-May 5-May 8-Jun 12-Jun 19-Jun John Day Pool 1-May 2-Sep 23-Nov

Commercial open periods 3

Bonneville Pool 1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/16 G

4/1-5/31 SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/3-3/21 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/2-3/14 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/20 G 4/1-4/5 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/18 G

3/20-6/10 SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/14 G

6/1-8/18 SL 10/1-12/31 SL 11/14-11/20 G 11/23-11/30 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21

6/1-8/17 SL 10/1-12/15 SL

The Dalles Pool 1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/16 G

4/1-5/31 SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/3-3/21 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/2-3/14 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/20 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/18 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/14 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21 G

6/1-8/17 SL 10/1-10/26 SL

John Day Pool 1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/16 G 4/1-5/1 SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/3-3/21 G

4/7-6/23 SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/2-3/14 G

3/23-6/30 SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/20 G

4/1-7/31 SL 10/11-12/31

SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/18 G

3/20-7/31 SL 8/8-8/20 SL

10/2-12/31 SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/14 G

6/1-8/18 SL 10/1-12/31 SL 11/14-11/20 G 11/23-12/7 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21 G

Size limits (in.)Total length

Total length

Total length

Total length

Total length

BP Sport 42-60 42-60 42-60 42-60 42-60 BP Commercial 48-60 48-60 48-60 48-60 48-60 TD & JD Sport 48-60 48-60 48-60 48-60 48-60 TD & JD Comm. 48-60 48-60 48-60 48-60 48-60

1 Preliminary.2 Contained preliminary estimates on earlier versions of this table. They have been updated to match final numbers presented in BPA sturgeon project annnual reports.3 SL = setline; G = gillnet.

Zone 6 Sturgeon Harvest

1996

no closure

1997 1998-2000 2001 2002

9-Apr24-Aug13-Jul

no closure

13-Aug 5-Aug - 27 Sep

99

Table 24 (continued). Harvest history and regulation changes for Zone 6, Columbia River 1996 – 2010.

Guide-line Catch Guide-line 2004 Catch 2005 Catch Guide-line 2006 Catch 2007 Catch 2008 Catch Guide-line Catch Guide-line Catch1

1,700 1,542 700 852 5962

700 727 6822

841 700 638 1,400 1,4511

1,200 379 400 464 550 400 153 285 744 400 431 1,400 1,729

2,900 1,921 1,100 1,316 1,146 1,100 880 967 1,585 1,100 1,069 2,800 3,180

93 60 66 28 44 88 83 368

6,240 6,470

400 447 400 530 3822

100 93 1082

128 300 216 300 3361

900 811 900 975 831 550 397 607 571 1,000 862 1,000 1,2311,300 1,258 1,300 1,505 1,213 650 490 715 699 1,300 1,078 1,300 1,567

202 172 196 115 100 113 77 220

1,130

165 1862

165 229 1282

165 142 2492

165 165 146 165 1591

335 251 335 309 360 335 312 232 277 335 325 335 287

500 437 500 538 488 500 454 481 442 500 471 500 446

30 37 49 58 17 25 59 28

1,094 1,587

2,265 2,175 1,265 1,611 1,106 965 962 1,039 1,134 1,165 1,000 1,865 1,9461

2,435 1,441 1,635 1,748 1,741 1,285 862 1,124 1,592 1,735 1,618 2,735 3,2474,700 3,616 2,900 3,359 2,847 2,250 1,824 2,163 2,726 2,900 2,618 4,600 5,193

325 269 311 201 161 226 219 616

26-Jun 11-Jun 24-Jul 30-Jul 12-Jul28-Jun 25-Jun 8-Apr 29-Mar 15-Mar12-Jul 11-Jul 01-Jul 11-Jun 26-Mar

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21 G

6/9-7/11 SL 7/22-8/23 SL 10/13-12/31

SL 12/1-12/14

1/1-1/31 SL 2/2-3/10 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/16 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21 G

7/31-8/15 SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-2/29 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/2-2/13 G

1/1-1/31 SL ?????? G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/2-3/10 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/19 G

10/12-12/31 SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/9 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/3 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/2-3/06 G 8/3-

8/15 SL

1/1-1/31 SL ?????? G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21 G

6/9-7/11 SL 7/22-8/23 SL 10/13-12/31

SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/2-3/21 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/16 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/21 G

8/1-8/18 SL

1/1-1/31 SL 2/1-3/10 G

1/1-1/31 SL 2/2-3/06 G

1/1-1/31 SL ?????? G

Total length

Total length

Total length Total length Total length Fork length Fork length

42-60 42-60 42-60 42-60 42-60 38-54 38-5448-60 45-60 45-60 45-60 42-60 38-54 38-5448-60 48-60 48-60 48-60 48-60 43-54 43-5448-60 48-60 48-60 48-60 48-60 43-54 43-54

Guidelines and Harvest

2010

21-Feb6-May1-Mar

2003 2004-2005

21-Jun28-Jul

2009

6-Jun19-Apr13-Apr

7-Jul

2006-2008

100

PUBLICATIONS resulting from conducted research

The work conducted by the ODFW and cooperators on white sturgeon in the Columbia Basin has led to or contributed to at least 29 reports, 29 peer-reviewed articles and 2 doctoral dissertations. Anders, P. J., and M. S. Powell. 2002. Population structure and mtDNA diversity in North

American white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus): An empirical expansive gene flow model. Chapter 3 (pages 67-116) In: Anders, P. J. 2002. Conservation Biology of White Sturgeon. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Idaho, Aquaculture Research Institute, Center for Salmonid and Freshwater Species at Risk. Moscow, ID. 221 pp.

Beamesderfer, R. C. 1993. A standard weight equation for white sturgeon. California Fish and

Game 79(2):63-69, 1993. Beamesderfer, R. C. P. and R. A. Farr. 1994. Alternatives for the protection and restoration of

sturgeons and their habitat. Proceedings of the International Conference on Sturgeon Biodiversity and Conservation, New York, 1994.

Beamesderfer, R. C. P. and A. A. Nigro. 1993. Status and habitat requirements of white

sturgeon populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam. 1992 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Beamesderfer, R. C. P. and A. A. Nigro. 1993. Volume I. Status and habitat requirements of

white sturgeon populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam. Final Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Beamesderfer, R. C. P. and A. A. Nigro. 1993. Volume II. Status and habitat requirements of

white sturgeon populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam. Final Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Beamesderfer, R. C. P., T. A. Rien, and A. A. Nigro. 1995. Differences in the dynamics and

potential production of impounded and unimpounded white sturgeon populations in the lower Columbia River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 124:857-872, 1995.

Beiningen, K. T. 1995. Effects of mitigative measures on productivity of white sturgeon

populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam, and status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from McNary Dam. 1993 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Beiningen, K. T. 1996. Effects of mitigative measures on productivity of white sturgeon

populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam, and determine status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from McNary Dam. 1994 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

101

Brown, L. C., A. T. Beckenbach and M. J. Smith. 1992. Influence of Pleistocene glaciations and human intervention upon mitochondrial DNA diversity in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) populations. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 49:358-367, 1992.

Burner, L. C. and T. A. Rien. 2002. Incidence of white sturgeon deformities in two reaches of

the Columbia River. California Fish and Game 88(2):57-67, 2002. Chapman, C. G. and M. H. Weaver. 2006. Sturgeon population characteristics in

Oregon. Annual Progress Report by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Project Number F-178-R-06.

Chapman, C. G. and J. C. Kern. 2005. Sturgeon population characteristics in Oregon. Annual

Progress Report by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Project Number F-178-R-05.

Chapman, C. G., and T. A. Jones. 2010. First documented spawning of white sturgeon in the

lower Willamette River, Oregon. Northwest Science 84:327-335. DeVore, J. D., B. W. James, C. A. Tracy and D. A. Hale. 1995. Dynamics and potential of

white sturgeon in the unimpounded lower Columbia River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 124:845-856, 1995.

Drauch, A, T. Famula, and B. May. 2009. Final Project Report - Examination of Temporal

Trends in Genetic Diversity and Reproductive Success of White Sturgeon in the Lower Columbia River. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife by U.C. Davis Genomic Variation Laboratory.

Elliot, C. G. and R. C. Beamesderfer. 1990. Comparison of efficiency and selectivity of three

gears used to sample white sturgeon in a Columbia River reservoir. California Fish And Game 76(3):174-180, 1990.

Feist, G. W., M. A. H. Webb, D. T. Gundersen, E. P. Foster, C. B. Schreck, A. G. Maule, and M.

S. Fitzpatrick. 2005. Evidence of detrimental effects of environmental contaminants on growth and reproductive physiology of white sturgeon in impounded areas of the Columbia River. Environmental Health Perspectives 113(12):1675-1682, 2005. Correction, Environmental Health Perspectives 114(2):A90, 2006.

Foster, E. P., M. S. Fitzpatrick, G. W. Feist, C. B. Schreck, and J. Yates. 2001. Gonad

organochlorine concentrations and plasma steroid levels in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) from the Columbia River. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 76:239-245, 2001a.

102

Foster, E. P., M. S. Fitzpatrick, G. W. Feist, C. B. Schreck, J. Yates, J. M. Spitsbergen, and J. R. Heidel. 2001. Plasma androgen correlation, EROD induction, reduced condition factor, and the occurrence of organochlorine pollutants in reproductively immature white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) from the Columbia River, USA. Archive of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 41(2):128-191, 2001.

Galbreath, J. L. 1985. Status, life history, and management of Columbia River white sturgeon,

Acipenser transmontanus. Pages 119-125 in F. P. Binkowski and S. I. Doroshov, editors. North American sturgeons. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands.

Jones, T. A. 2009. Sturgeon population characteristics in Oregon. Annual Progress Report by

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Project Number F-178-R-09.

Jones, T. A. 2010. Sturgeon population characteristics in Oregon. Annual Progress Report by

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Project Number F-178-R-10.

Mallette, C. 2008. White sturgeon mitigation and restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers

upstream from Bonneville Dam. 2006 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.





McCabe Jr., G. T. 1993. Prevalence of the parasite Cystoopsis acipenseri (Nematoda) in

juvenile white sturgeons in the lower Columbia River. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 5:313-316, 1993.

McCabe Jr., G. T and L. G. Beckman. 1990. Use of an artificial substrate to collect white

sturgeon eggs. California Fish and Game 76(4):248-250, 1990. McCabe Jr., G. T, R. L. Emmett, and S. A. Hinton. 1993. Feeding ecology of juvenile white

sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the lower Columbia River. Northwest Science 67:170-180, 1993.

McCabe Jr., G. T. and C. A. Tracy. 1994. Spawning and early life history of white sturgeon,

Acipenser transmontanus, in the lower Columbia River. Fishery Bulletin 92:760-772, 1994.

103

Miller, A. I. and L. G. Beckman. 1996. First record of predation on white sturgeon eggs by sympatric fishes. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 125:338-340, 1996.

Miller, A. I., T. D. Counihan, M. J. Parsley, and L. G. Beckman. 1995. Columbia River Basin

white sturgeon. Pages 154 158 in E. T. LaRoe, editor. Our living resources: a report to the nation on the distribution, abundance, and health of U.S. plants, animals, and ecosystems. U. S. Department of the Interior, National Biological Service, Washington D. C.

Muir, W. D. and G. T. McCabe Jr. 2000. Diet of first-feeding larval and young-of-the-year

white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River. Northwest Science 74(1): 25-33, 2000. Nigro, A. A. 1988. Status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the

Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam. 1988 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Nigro, A. A. 1989. Status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the






North, J. A., R. C. Beamesderfer and T. A. Rien. 1993. Distribution and movement of white

sturgeon in three lower Columbia River reservoirs. Northwest Science Volume 67, Number 2, 1993.

North, J. A., R. A. Farr and P. Vescei. 2002. A comparison of meristic and morphometric

characters of green sturgeon Acipenser medirostris. Journal of Applied Icthyology 18: 234 – 239.

Parsley, M. J., and L. G. Beckman. 1994. White sturgeon spawning and rearing habitat in the

lower Columbia River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 14:812-827, 1994.

Parsley, M. J., L. G. Beckman and G. T. McCabe, Jr. 1993. Spawning and rearing habitat use

by white sturgeons in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 122:217-227, 1993.

104

Rieman, B. E. and R. C. Beamesderfer. 1990. White sturgeon in the lower Columbia River: Is the stock overexploited? North American Journal of Fisheries Management 10:388-396, 1990.

Rien, T. A. 2005. White sturgeon mitigation and restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers






Rein, T. A. and R. C. Beamesderfer. 1994. Accuracy and precision of white sturgeon age

estimates from pectoral fin rays. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 123:255–265.

Rein, T. A., R. C. Beamesderfer and C. A. Foster. 1994. Retention, recognition, and effects on

survival of several tags and marks for white sturgeon. California Fish and Game 80(4):161-170, 1994.

Rien, T. A. and K. T. Beiningen. 1997. Effects of mitigative measures on productivity of white

sturgeon populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam, and determine status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from McNary Dam. 1995 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Rein, T. A. and J. A. North. 2002. White sturgeon transplants within the Columbia River.

American Fisheries Society Symposium 28:223-236, 2002. Ward, D. L. 1998. Effects of mitigative measures on productivity of white sturgeon populations

in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam, and determine status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from McNary Dam. 1996 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Ward, D. L. 1999. Effects of mitigative measures on productivity of white sturgeon populations

in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam, and determine status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from McNary Dam. 1997 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

105

Ward, D. L. 2000. White sturgeon mitigation and restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from Bonneville Dam. 1998 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Ward, D. L. 2001. White sturgeon mitigation and restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers








Warren, J. J. and L. G. Beckman. 1993. Fishway use by white sturgeon on the Columbia River.

Washington Sea Grant, Columbia River Series WSG-AS-93-02 Webb, M. A. H, and S. I. Doroshov. 2011 Importance of environmental endocrinology in

fisheries management and aquaculture of sturgeons. General and Comparative Endocrinology 170:313-321, 2011.

Webb, M. A. H, G. W. Feist, E. P. Foster, C. B. Schreck, and M. S. Fitzpatrick. 2002. Potential

classification of sex and stage of gonadal maturity of wild white sturgeon using blood plasma indicators. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 131:132-142, 2002.

Webb M. A. H., G. W. Feist, M. S. Fitzpatrick, E. P. Foster, C. B. Schreck, M. Plumlee, C.

Wong and D. T. Gundersen. 2006. Mercury Concentrations in Gonad, Liver, and Muscle of White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus in the Lower Columbia River. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Volume 50, Number 3, 443-451, 2006.

106

LITERATURE CITED

Anders, P. J., and M. S. Powell. 2002. Population structure and mitochondrial DNA diversity of

North American white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus): An empirical expansive gene flow model. Chapter 3 in P. J. Anders. Conservation biology of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). Doctoral dissertation. University of Idaho, Moscow.

Bajkov, A. D. 1949. A preliminary report on the Columbia River sturgeon. Fisheries

Commission of Oregon. Research Briefs 2:1-8. Portland, Oregon. Bajkov, A. D. 1951. Migration of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Columbia

River. Fish Commission of Oregon, Department of Research 3:8-21. Portland, Oregon Bartley, D. M., G. A. E. Gall, and B. Bentley. 1985. Preliminary description of the genetic

structure of white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus, in the Pacific Northwest. Pages 105-109 in F. P. Binkowski and S. I. Doroshov, editors. North American sturgeons. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands.

Beamesderfer, R. C. 1993. A standard weight equation for white sturgeon. California Fish and

Game 79(2):63-69, 1993. Beamesderfer, R. C. P., T. A. Rien, and A. A. Nigro. 1995. Differences in the dynamics and

potential production of impounded and unimpounded white sturgeon populations in the lower Columbia River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 124:857-872, 1995.

Bemis, W. E., and B. Kynard. 1997. Sturgeon rivers: an introduction to acipenserform

biogeography and life history. Environmental Biology of Fishes 48:167-183.

Bemis, W. E., E. K. Findeis, and L. Grand. 1997. An overview of Acipenseriformes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 48: 25-71.

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quantification in Acipenseriformes of North America. The Journal of Heredity 84:427-430.

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Hershberger. 1986. Columbia River white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) population genetics and early life history. Bonneville Power Administration, Contract DE-AI79-84BO18952, Project 83-316. Portland, Oregon.

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Hershberger. 1987. Columbia River white sturgeon genetics and early life history population segregation and juvenile feeding behavior. Bonneville Power Administration, Contract DE-AI79-84BP18952, Project 83-316. Portland, Oregon.

107

Brown, J. R., A. T. Beckenbach, and M. J. Smith. 1992. Influence of Pleistocene glaciations and human intervention upon mitochondrial DNA diversity in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) populations. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 49:358-367.

Buddington, R. K. and J. P. Christofferson. 1985. Digestive and feeding characteristics of the

chondrosteans. Pages 31-42 in F. P. Binkowski and S. I. Doroshov, editors. North American sturgeons. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands.

Burner, L. C. and T. A. Rien. 2002. Incidence of white sturgeon deformities in two reaches of

the Columbia River. California Fish and Game 88(2):57-67, 2002. Chadwick, H. K. 1959. California sturgeon tagging studies. California Fish and Game 45:297-

301. Conte, F. S., S. I. Doroshov, P. B. Lutes, and E. M. Strange. 1988. Hatchery manual for the

white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus with application to other North American Acipenseridae. Cooperative Extension, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3322. Davis, California.

DeVore, J. D. and J. G. Grimes. 1993. Migration and distribution of white sturgeon in the

Columbia River downstream from Bonneville Dam and adjacent marine areas. In R. C. Beamesderfer and A. A. Nigro, editors. Volume I, Status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia River downstream of McNary Dam. Final report. U. S. Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon. Contract DE-AI79-86BP63584.

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Richmond, and Y. Xie. 2006. Spawning Habitat Studies of Hanford Reach Fall Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Final Report Prepared for U.S. Department of Energy Bonneville Power Administration Division of Fish and Wildlife Portland, Oregon Project No. 1994-069-00 Contract No. 00000652.

Golder Associates Ltd. 2007. Upper Columbia River juvenile white sturgeon monitoring: Phase

5 investigations, November 2006. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Revelstoke, B.C. Golder Report No. 06-1480-049D:64 p. +6 app.

108

Hanson, D. L., T. G. Cochnauer, J. D. DeVore, H. E. Forner, T. T. Kisanuki, D. W. Kohlhorst, P. Lumley, G. McCabe, A. A. Nigro, S. Parker, D. Swarts, and A. Van Vooren. 1992. White sturgeon management framework plan. Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Portland, Orgeon.

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180:82. Haynes, J. M., R. H. Gray, and J. C. Montgomery. 1979. Seasonal movements of white

sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the mid-Columbia River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 107:275-289

Helfman G., B. Collette, and D. Facey. 1997. The Diversity of Fishes. Blackwell Publishing,

Malden Massachusetts, 527pp. Idaho Power Company (IPC). 2005. Snake River white sturgeon conservation plan. IPC, Boise,

Idaho. 204 p., plus appendices. Israel, J., A. Drauch, and M. Gingras. 2009. Life History Conceptual Model for White

Sturgeon. Report to Bay Delta Ecosystem Restoration and Improvement Program. James, B. W., D. A. Hale and J. D. DeVore. 1997. Effects of mitigative measures on

productivity of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam, and determine status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from McNary Dam Report B. In T. A. Rien and K. T. Beiningen, editors. Effects of mitigative measures on productivity of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam, and determine status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from McNary Dam 1995. Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

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and restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from Bonneville Dam. In D. L. Ward, editor. White sturgeon mitigation and restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from Bonneville Dam Report B. 2000 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

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S. C. Ireland. 2008. Evidence of density- and size-dependent mortality in hatchery-reared juvenile white sturgeon in the Kootenai River. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2009 Vol. 66 No. 5 pp. 802-815.

Kynard, B. and E. Parker. 2005. Ontogenetic behavior and dispersal of Sacramento River white

sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus, with a note on body color. Environmental Biology of Fishes 74:19-30.

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Langness, O. P, D. R. Gilliland, B. J. Cady, B. W. James and J. D. DeVore. 2002. White sturgeon mitigation and restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from Bonneville Dam. In D. L. Ward, editor. White sturgeon mitigation and restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from Bonneville Dam Report B. 2001 Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

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juvenile white sturgeons in the lower Columbia River. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 5:313-316, 1993.

McCabe Jr., G. T. and C. A. Tracy. 1994. Spawning and early life history of white sturgeon,

Acipenser transmontanus, in the lower Columbia River. Fishery Bulletin 92:760-772, 1994.

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by white sturgeons in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 122: 217–227.

110

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111

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sturgeon in the Columbia River. Pages 89 to 99 in C. Mallette, editor. White sturgeon mitigation and restoration in the Columbia and Snake rivers upstream from Bonneville Dam. Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon

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Washington. 14p.

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Appendix A

Setline Gear and Techniques Used to Monitor White Sturgeon Populations in the Lower Columbia River

113

This document was prepared to address numerous requests for information on our setlines and is intended to provide enough detail to allow others to replicate our gear and to assist in procuring gear components. While specific vendors, manufacturers, and brands of components are referenced this should not be construed as an endorsement of those over other vendors or products. Since 1987, we have used setlines as our primary means of capturing sub-adult and adult white sturgeon in the Columbia River. Based on a comparison of setlines, gill nets and angling (Elliott and Beamesderfer 1990) we chose setlines as they provide the greatest catch rates, represent the widest range of fish sizes, select almost exclusively for sturgeon, and seldom harm a fish. In a typical 8 - 10 hour day we can fish 8 – 12 lines depending on catch rates. As refinements and innovations in the commercial fisheries and fisheries research have led to gear improvements, we have incorporated those changes that simplify deployment or increase catch rates. GEAR DESCRIPTION Our typical setline (see figure below – not to scale) consists of a 600-ft mainline (C), anchored on the upstream-end with a rocker anchor (E) and the downstream-end with a pyramid anchor (B). Forty baited hooks (D) of three sizes are clipped to the mainline. A floatline and float are attached to the upstream-end (F) anchor and a floatline and float (A) are attached to the downstream-end anchor; the downstream float may have a trailer buoy to facilitate location and retrieval of the set.

114

Mainline

Hooks Sets

Anchors

Hook sets contain 40 hooks of three sizes that are attached tothe mainline about every 15 ft. with a longline snap. These areassembled in the following manner. A 5-in stainless steel orgalvanized longline snap (A) is attached to a 6/0 500 lb. swivel(C) with a large (~30 to the lb.) stainless steel hog ring (B). A17 – 24-in length of no. 42 or no. 72 gangion line (D) is tied tothe swivel with a bowline knot and a 2 – 3 in loop is tied intothe loose end, again with a bowline knot. The looped end isthreaded though the eye of either a 12/0, 14/0, or 16/0 circle

hook (E) and then the hook is passed through the eye of the loop. This enables the easyreplacement of the hook at a later time. Thirteen hooks of two of the sizes and 14 hooks of thethird size (randomly chosen) are bundled together and stored with the hooks in a heavy-dutyplastic bag. These bundles of hooks are stored in 1-gal buckets. The 1-gal buckets are stored in aplastic tote.

The mainline consists of 600 ft. of 1/4-in soft-to-medium laytwisted strand rope marked approximately every 15 ft. withbrightly colored yarn or vinyl woven through the rope or paintto mark hook set placement (A) and eyes (B) spliced into bothends. The mainlines are stored in plastic, 50-gal garbage cansdrilled for drainage. Several lines (5-6) are stored in each can bypaying them individually into the can and connecting the linestogether end-to-end with snap hooks or carabiners.

We use a variety of anchors depending on water velocity. The anchors weigh 30 – 45 lbs. each. We use rocker-type anchors (A) on the up-stream end with a 30-lb lead pyramid-type anchor (B) on the down-stream end. The rockers hold better in fast water and if they do break loose in current or from a large fish the pyramid at the downstream end will “walk” with the current and keep tangles to a minimum. In the tidally influenced river downstream of Bonneville Dam we may use two rocker-type anchors.

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Floatline

Floats

Snap Hooks and Carabiners

Bait Each line is baited entirely with pickled squid. We use this bait after a bait comparison with Pacific lamprey and salted American shad showed pickled squid had the highest catch per unit effort (Appendix A Table 1). Lines may need to be re-baited daily depending on bait retention. At a minimum, lines are re-baited every-other day.

We use 25, 50, 75, and 100-ft lengths of 1/4-in soft to mediumlay twisted strand rope with a loop spiced into the ends, andmarked on both ends with stripe patterns to indicate length. Thefloatlines are connected end-to-end with snap hooks and storedin 5-gal buckets by length. The buckets are drilled to providedrainage.

We primarily use Polyform brand low drag (LD) type (B) floats.We may occasionally us Polyform brand A2 type (A) floats witha Polyform A0 trailer buoy (C) on the downstream buoy to assistwith retrieval. In higher velocities the lower buoy isoccasionally pulled down low in the water and the trailer willfloat freely on the surface. We individually number the buoysand record the numbers when the lines are set. This helpsidentify the set if a different crew pulls the lines.

We use 4-in snap hooks (A) between floatlines for storage andto attach floats to the floatline. We use 4-in locking typecarabiners (B) to attach the mainline and floatline to the anchoras twisting of the rope will cause non-locking types to separateand lose the anchor and/or the float line.

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Appendix A Table 1. Mean catch of white sturgeon (all lengths) per setline day by month in John Day Reservoir, April through September, 1990 and 1996; (North et al. 1996) Month Year Bait Type # Sets Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep All

1990 Pacific Lamprey 1188 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.8 0.6 0.9 0.5 1996 Pacific Lamprey 448 0.7 0.6 1.4 2.1 1.3 1.5 1.2 1996 Salted American shad 460 0.4 1.2 1.2 3.8 1.3 1.4 1.6 1996 Pickled squida 216 -- -- -- 10.3 6.2 10.8 8.7 a Pickled squid was not used until July 1996 BOAT SETUP

TECHNIQUE Setlines are typically deployed parallel to flow and/or wind to facilitate retrieval but can be angled. Generally we start deploying at the upstream end. Depth of the set is determined with a fathometer and float lines of the appropriate length are selected. We generally try to keep the float line length at least 15feet longer than the depth. If we are setting in high velocity water we will use a float line that is about twice the water depth. An anchor, float line, and float are attached to the end of the mainline with a locking carabiner. The float is tossed away from the boat and the anchor is lowered overboard using the mainline. One person pays out the mainline while another person attaches the pre-baited hook sets at marks on the mainline every 15 feet. When the first anchor reaches bottom, the third crewmember (the boat driver) backs the boat in the direction of the current or the wind. The pace is matched to the line setters to keep the line straight, but to avoid dragging the anchor. The second anchor, float line, and buoy (with a trailer buoy clipped on) are attached to the opposite end of the mainline with a locking carabiner and lowered to the bottom. The boat driver (data recorder) records start time when the second buoy is tossed.

We use a 25-foot aluminum skiff that has a Vickers hydraulicpump runs from a power take off on the inboard engine. We alsouse a 26-foot aluminum hull with the Vickers hydraulic pump runoff of a 4-stroke, 8 HP Honda engine. We use Hydro-slave pothaulers (A) (hydraulically operated hoist) mounted on davits (B)attached to the gunwale and floor of the boats. The davits have aseries of holes (C) to attach a snatch block (D) to. Placement ofthe snatch block is dependent on comfortable reaching length. Weuse the hydraulics to pull in the gear. Sometimes the crew will pullthe line in by hand and just use the hydraulics for retrieving theanchors.

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Setlines are normally retrieved from the downstream float. The trailer buoy and float line is grabbed with a boat hook. The line is pulled in by hand until there is sufficient slack to thread the floatline though the pot hauler. The stop time is recorded when the buoy is in the boat. The hydraulic control lever is depressed to begin retrieving the float line, which is coiled into a bucket. The boat operator moves the boat forward as the anchor and main line are lifted off the bottom, lessening the force needed to pull the line. Whenever possible the boat is used to do the work and to reduce the strain on personnel and the hydraulic assembly. When the anchor comes up, it is lowered to the deck by reversing the control lever. The anchor is then removed and the carabiner attaching the main and float lines is lifted over the snatch block and repositioned on the hauler. The mainline is attached to another line or secured to the boat so it is not dropped overboard and lost. The control lever is then depressed again to retrieve the mainline. The hook sets are removed before they reach the snatch block. The second anchor and float line are then retrieved. GEAR SPECIFICATIONS Mainline/ Floatline (potential vendor in parentheses) ¼-in soft/medium tarred Aqualine rope – 1,800 ft. spool (Englund) Hooks Sets Hooks – Mustad brand circle hooks (12/0, 14/0, and 16/0 sizes) - box of 100 (Englund) Halibut snaps – 5-in galvanized – bag of 100 (Englund) Hog rings – stainless steel, large size (~30 to the lb.) – sold by the pound (Englund) Swivels – Berkley McMahon brand 6/0 500-lb - box of 100 (Englund) No.42 gangion twine – by the 1-lb spool (Englund) No.72 gangion twine – by the 1-lb spool (Englund) Anchors 30-lb lead pyramid anchor (FMSI) 30-lb lead pyramid anchor (John Edwards Albany, OR) 30-lb rocker-style break-away anchor (FMSI) Floats Float - Polyform brand LD-2 (Englund) Float - Polyform brand A-2 (Englund) Float - Polyform brand A-0 (Englund) Snap Hooks and Carabiners Snap hook – 1/3-in diameter stock, 4-in length (Englund) Carabiners – locking D carabiner (REI) Bait Pickled squid – 5-gal buckets (Gilmore) Pot Hauler and Snatch Block 12-in multi-purpose hauler (Kolstrand/Marine Hydraulic)

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Aluminum snatch block – for up to ½-in line (Kolstrand) VENDORS Englund Marine Supply PO Box 296 Astoria, Oregon 97103 1-800-452-6746 http://www.pagecreator.com/home/icint009/index.html FMSI Marine Goods Distributors 901 N Columbia Blvd Portland, Oregon 97217 1-800-333-3674 Gilmore Fish and Smokehouse PO Box 184 Dallesport, Washington 98617 (509) 767-1650 Kolstrand Marine Supply PO Box 70348 4733 Ballard Ave. NW Seattle, Washington 98107 1-800-334-3224 Marine Hydraulic Engineering 17 Gordon Drive Rockland, Maine 1-800-747-7750 http://www.midcoast.com/~marinhyd/ REI-Recreational Equipment, Inc 7410 SW Bridgeport Road Tigard, Oregon 97224 (503) 624-8600 http://www.rei.com/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Over the years a number of people have helped to refine our gear and techniques. We would like to acknowledge them for their creative help. Specifically we wish to thank John Elliot, Doug Engle, Ray Hartlerode, Brad Cady, and current staff for major contributions.

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APPENDIX A LITERATURE CITED Elliott, J.C., and R.C. Beamesderfer. 1990. Comparison of efficiency and selectivity of three

gears used to sample white sturgeon in a Columbia River reservoir. California Fish and Game 76(3):174 – 180.

North, J.A., T.A. Rien, and R.A. Farr. 1996. Report A in: D.L. Ward, editor. Effects of

mitigative measures on productivity of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam, and the status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia and Snake rivers upstream from McNary Dam. Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon, USA. Project 86-50. April 1996 – March 1997.

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Appendix B

Sturgeon Database documentation.

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Sturgeon Database documentation. The Sturgeon Database is currently housed on a server at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Salem Oregon. At this time the database is not publically accessible.

Data Headers

Column 1. Physical/bio data – The type of data recorded. Choices were: fish biological

information, angler survey counts, angler interviews, age data and annuli measurements, stomach contents, benthic information, and physical and fish biological information

Column 2. PDA Sample ID – A unique ID generated by the PDA that includes the PDA unit ID, the date and the time that each set was made.

Column 3. Agency – The acronym for the agency collecting the data. ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, WDFW (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife), USGS (United States Geological Survey), and CRITFC (Columbia River Inter-tribal Fish Commission.

Column 4. PDA Unit ID – PDA name assigned by ODFW and programmed into the unit.

Column 5. PDA Date - Date and time stamp generated by each PDA and generated by the database using the Year, Set Month and Set Day from entries from paper data.

Column 6. Sample Number - Each set within an activity, sampling year, and agency has a sequential sample number (1.......n).

Column 7. Line Number – Each set has a sequential line number for each fish processed, except that all sample numbers have at least a line number one even if there is no catch.

Column 8. Personnel - Initials of sampling crew (set and pull days). On the set day the data recorder's initials go first.

Column 9. PDA Activity – The sampling activity that the data is for. Stock Assessment is data collected to produce a population estimate for the year the data is collected. Young of Year is sampling activity collected to assess recruitment of juvenile white sturgeon.

Column 10. Gear – Type of gear used to collect fish data.

Column 11. Waterbody – River, bay or ocean name.

Column 12. Reservoir - River section generally bounded by dams.

Column 13. Year – Calendar year the data was collected.

Column 14. Set Month – Calendar month the gear was put in the water.

Column 15. Set Day – Day of the month the gear was put in the water.

Column 16. PDA Set Start – Data and time generated by the PDA that the gear was put in the water.

Column 17. Start Time – Time of day the gear was put in the water, in military time.

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Column 18. PDA Section – Reservoirs and waterbody areas are subdivided into varying numbers of sections depending on the length or hectares of the area. Each section is assigned a number.

Column 19. River Mile – River mile of the place the data was collected to the tenth of a mile.

Column 20. River Quarter - The width of the river or waterbody section describing location relative to shore as you face upstream.

1 = within ¼ of the river width of left shore 2 = ¼ of the river width from left shore to midstream of river 3 = midstream of river to ¼ of the river width from right shore 4 = within ¼ of the river width from right shore

Column 21. PDA Site - Denotes the day of the week and number of the set that day.

Column 22. PDA Description - Notes the upstream and downstream buoy numbers and a physical description to the location of the set.

Column 23. Start GPS_Latitude – GPS location of the gear in the water. Originally was at the beginning of the set and later was just a point about midway in the setting of the gear in the water. Datum used in collecting coordinates was WGS84.

Column 24. Start GPS_Longitude – GPS location of the gear in the water. Originally was at the beginning of the set and later was just a point about midway in the setting of the gear in the water. Datum used in collecting coordinates was WGS84.

Column 25. End GPS_Latitude – GPS location of the gear in the water. Originally was at the end of the set and later wasn’t used. Datum used in collecting coordinates was WGS84.

Column 26. End GPS_Longitude – GPS location of the gear in the water. Originally was at the end of the set and later wasn’t used. Datum used in collecting coordinates was WGS84.

Column 27. Pull Month - Calendar month the gear was taken out of the water.

Column 28. Pull Day - Calendar day the gear was taken out of the water.

Column 29. PDA Set Stop - Data and time generated by the PDA that the gear was taken out of the water.

Column 30. Stop time - Time of day the gear was taken out of the water, in military time.

Column 31. Effort – Length of time the gear was in the water.

Column 32. Depth Minimum – Depth in feet at the shallowest point the gear is set.

Column 33. Depth Maximum- Depth in feet at the deepest point the gear is set.

Column 34. Temp oC - Surface temperature in Celsius at the place the gear is set.

Column 35. PDA Catch ID – A unique ID generated by the PDA that includes the PDA unit ID, the date and the time that each line of fish data is saved.

Column 36. Fork Length (cm) - For Stock Assessment work it is the fork measurement to the nearest whole centimeter. For fish that are exactly between, rounded up if the number is even, down of it is odd. For Young of Year sampling it is the fork measurement to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.

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Column 37. Total length (cm) - For Stock Assessment work it is the total measurement to the nearest whole centimeter. For fish that are exactly between, rounded up if the number is even, down of it is odd. For Young of Year sampling it is the total measurement to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.

Column 38. Weight (kg) – Weight to the nearest tenth of a kilogram.

Column 39. Pectoral girth (cm) – Measurement made posterior of the pectoral girdle insertion, to the nearest whole centimeter.

Column 40. Pelvic girth (cm) - This measurement is to the nearest whole centimeter. We could not determine the exact location of the measurement, but assume it was posterior to the insertion of the pelvic girdle. These data are suspect as some measurements are illogical based on sturgeon morphometry.

Column 41. Sex – Gender identification based on visual inspection of gonadal material observed during a surgical procedure.

Column 42. Sample type – Type of biological sampling recorded.

Column 43. Disposition – The disposition of the fish at capture. Alive is a fish that was alive at capture and released alive. Dead is a fish that was dead or in poor condition at capture. Sacrificed is a fish that was removed from the system.

Column 44. Recap Year – Year the fish was last handled based on scute removal patterns.

Data Code Recap From?

YEAR LT RT YEAR LT RT OTC 2 1997 7 PIT 2 1998 8 T&H 3 1999 8 Hatch 3 2000 9 1988 3 2001 9 1989 3 2002 A (10) 1990 4 2003 A (10) 1991 4 2004 B (11) 1993 5 2005 B (11) 1994 5 2006 C (12) 1995 6 2007 C (12) 1996 7

Column 45. At Capture Scute Left – Position of removed scutes at capture counted from the first anterior lateral scute that moves, on the left side of the fish. Position of removal denotes the year the fish was handled, if it was PIT tagged, and/or if it is a hatchery origin fish. See Column 44 - Recap Year above.

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Column 46. At Capture Scute Right – Position of removed scutes at capture counted from the first anterior lateral scute that moves, on the right side of the fish. Position of removal denotes the year the fish was handled, if it was given an Oxytetracycline injection, and/or if it is a fish that was trawled from below Bonneville Dam and transported and released into an impoundment above Bonneville Dam. See Column 44 - Recap Year above.

Column 47. At Capture Pec – Which pectoral fin spine has a scar from a previous sample removal at capture?

Column 48. At Capture Tattoo – Denotes the presence/absence and condition of a numerical tattoo at capture.

Column 49. At Capture Barbel - Denotes the presence and position of possible barbel clips at capture.

Column 50. At Capture Tags Type – The type of external tags present on the fish at capture.

Column 51. At Capture Tag 1 Prefix- Letter prefix printed on the most anterior external tag on a fish at capture. BO were tags put out in Bonneville Reservoir, TD were tags put out in The Dalles Reservoir, JD were tags put out in John Day Reservoir, and H0 and H1 were tags put out below Bonneville Dam.

Column 52. At Capture Tag 1 # - Number printed on the most anterior external tag on a fish at capture.

Column 53. At Capture Tag 2 Prefix- Letter prefix printed on the next posterior external tag on a fish at capture. BO were tags put out in Bonneville Reservoir, TD were tags put out in The Dalles Reservoir, JD were tags put out in John Day Reservoir, and H0 and H1 were tags put out below Bonneville Dam.

Column 54. At Capture Tag 2 # - Number printed on the next posterior external tag on a fish at capture.

Column 55. Applied Pec – Which pectoral fin spine a sample was removed from for aging.

Column 56. Applied Barbel – Position of any barbel clip applied.

Column 57. Applied Scute Left– Position of scutes removal applied. Position counted from the first anterior lateral scute that moves, on the left side of the fish. Position of removal denotes the year the fish was handled, if it was PIT tagged, and/or if it is a hatchery origin fish. See Column 44 - Recap Year above.

Column 58. Applied Scute Right– Position of scutes removal applied. Position counted from the first anterior lateral scute that moves, on the right side of the fish. Position of removal denotes the year the fish was handled, if it was given an Oxytetracycline injection, and/or if it is a fish that was trawled from below Bonneville Dam and transported and released into an impoundment above Bonneville Dam. See Column 44 - Recap Year above.

Column 59. Applied Tags Type – The type of external tag applied.

Column 60. Applied Tag 1 Prefix - Letter prefix printed on the most anterior external tag applied to the fish. BO were tags put out in Bonneville Reservoir, TD were tags put out in The Dalles Reservoir, JD were tags put out in John Day Reservoir, and H0 and H1 were tags put out below Bonneville Dam.

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Column 61. Applied Tag 1 # - Number printed on the most anterior external tag applied to the fish.

Column 62. Applied Tag 2 Prefix- Letter prefix printed on the next posterior external tag applied to the fish. BO were tags put out in Bonneville Reservoir, TD were tags put out in The Dalles Reservoir, JD were tags put out in John Day Reservoir, and H0 and H1 were tags put out below Bonneville Dam.

Column 63. Applied Tag 2 # - Number printed on the next posterior external tag applied to the fish.

Column 64. At Capture PIT Tag? – Did the fish have a PIT tag at capture?

Column 65. Applied PIT Tag? – Was a PIT tag applied?

Column 66. PIT 1 Manufacturer – Three character code indicating the PIT tag manufacturer. Some tags do not have a manufacturer code.

Column 67. PIT Tag 1 # - Hexadecimal passive integrated transponder tag code.

Column 68. PIT 2 Manufacturer – Three character code indicating the PIT tag manufacturer. Some tags do not have a manufacturer code.

Column 69. PIT Tag 2 # - Hexadecimal passive integrated transponder tag code.

Column 70. Hook size - Hook size ranging from 10/0 to 16/0 that the fish was caught on.

Column 71. Bait type – Type of bait on the hook that the fish was caught on.

Column 72. Document # - Superfluous number assigned by a data entry service.

Column 73. Oxytet injection? - Was the fish injected with Oxytetracycline?

Column 74. Surgery/gonad sample? Was surgery performed to determine gender and was a gonad sample kept?

Column 75. Plasma Sample? - Was a blood plasma sample taken?

Column 76. DNA Sample Taken?/Type – Was a DNA sample taken and what kind?

Column 77. Blood taken? – Was a blood sample taken?

Column 78. Toxin Sample? – Was a separate gonad sample taken to test for contaminants?

Column 79. Cortisol Sample? - Was a blood sample taken for Cortisol level analysis?

Column 80. Species – Species of fish the line of data is for.

Column 81. Species Count - The number of individuals of the species the line of data is for.

Column 82. Life stage - Life stage designation or gonadal development of the fish the line of data is for.

Column 83. Measure Head (mm) – Measurement made with calipers to the nearest millimeter. The head length is measured from the tip of the snout to the dorsal insertion of the opercle.

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Column 84. Measure Snout (mm) – Measurement made with calipers to the nearest millimeter. The snout length is measured from the tip of the snout to the anterior edge of the eye's orbit.

Column 85. Snout Type – A subjective assessment of the head shape not based on measurements, of long, short or unknown (not obviously long or short).

Column 86. Deformity Type – The characterization of natural deformity or damage found on a fish at capture. Abnormal barbels, asymmetrical snout, atypical skin coloration, eroded nares, eyes malformed or missing, misshaped fins, skeletal deformity, or partially or wholly missing fins.

Column 87. Radio Tag Frequency – The frequency of implanted or attached radio tags.

Column 88. Trawl Tow #? – The number of the tow in one day that the fish came from during Trawl and Haul sampling.

Column 89. Comments – Comments and notes about the fish and/or the gear set.

Column 91. Angler Return Doc. # - Datasheet number for entered angler tag return data.

Column 92. PDA Sample Completed - Was the set information closed on the PDA?

Column 93. Tag Lot # - The lot number from the PIT tag vial in use at the time.

Column 94. PIT Reader # - The unit ID assigned to the PIT reader being used at the time.

Column 95. Marks – Fin clips evident on captured salmonids.

Column 96. Ageing Year – The year the aging sample was taken.

Column 97. Age – The age assigned to the fish.

Column 98. Sample Year – The contract year that the data is collected for. Some sampling spans calendar years and to keep relevant data together it is assigned a sample year.

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Appendix C

Methods of Aging White Sturgeon Using Pectoral Fin Spines

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Introduction

The purpose of this document is to detail the methods and procedures we use to collect, prepare, and read the leading pectoral fin rays and to assign ages to white sturgeon from the Columbia River. This also contains criteria developed by the readers of the ray sections to distinguish, count, and record annuli. These criteria will act as a guide for readers when making a decision on whether or not to call a mark an annulus. This document includes a sample data sheet and data file specifications.

Collecting fin rays

Pectoral fin ray samples are collected from white sturgeon using two methods.

Live Fish

From live fish, a piece of one of the leading pectoral fin rays is removed from fish selected according to sample size needs. Two cuts are made with a hacksaw, the first within 1/4 inch of the articulation (knuckle) of the fin, and the second approximately 1/2 inch distal to the first cut (Appendix Figure C 1). Care is taken not to cut too deep to avoid penetration of the fin artery. The fin ray piece is then removed from the fin. Sometimes a knife must be used to help separate the piece, especially on large fish. The sample is then placed in a scale envelope that includes the species, date, river section, river mile, length in cm, gear, and sample number and line number from the data sheet.

Dead Fish

From dead fish the entire leading pectoral fin ray, including the knuckle, is removed from the fish according to sample size needs. The leading ray is separated from the fin by running a knife between the leading ray and the rest of the fin from the knuckle to the tip. the ray is pressed anteriorly until the knuckle pops fee of its socket. The ray is then cut free of the fin through the socket. Excess flesh and skin is removed and the ray is placed in a plastic bag with a completed identification tag and frozen. The identification tag should include the species, date, river section, river mile, length in cm, gear, and sample number and line number from the data sheet.

Preparing fin ray sections

Fin ray sections are prepared for age assignments in the following manner.

Samples collected from dead fish (whole frozen rays) must first have the leading ray separated from any other rays still attached. The leading ray must be scraped to remove all flesh and skin, tagged with an identifying number, and air or oven dried. Samples collected from live fish have been allowed to dry since collection.

Traverse sections of rays are made using the bone saw. The pieces are clamped in a bone chuck and attached to the specimen arm of the Bueler Isomet low speed saw. A minimum of three transverse sections ranging from 0.3 to 0.6 mm thick are made using two closely spaced diamond wafering blades. The weight attached to the specimen arm and the speed of the cut will depend on the size of the piece and needs to be adjusted to obtain optimal sections. Sections are taken as close as possible to the proximal end of the piece or from a similar place on whole fins (Appendix Figure C 1). The first pass will straighten the cut and produce the first section from

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between the blades. The specimen arm is move 0.3 mm toward the blades and a second pass is made. This will produce the second section on the outside of the blades and the third section from between the blade with this second pass.

Section are examined for readability with a dissecting scope. Readable sections must be uniform in thickness so that with transmitted or reflected light shines through the entire section and all periodic marks and features are discernible from the center to the edge. If any damage, regeneration, or inclusion of secondary rays has occurred it must not interfere with the ability to accurately identify all periodic marks. The processor determines the suitability of the sample, and if unreadable, either cuts more sections of the sample, or rejects the sample and selects a replacement. The processor cuts 20 readable samples per 20 cm length group. To ensure 20 samples it’s a good idea to cut at least 25 pecs per length group.

Readable sections are mounted on a frosted end glass microscope slide with clear fingernail polish. Care needs to be taken that no polish is on top of the section. The proximal end is mounted closest to the frosted end of the slide. The slide is then marked with the sample number, line number, date, and fork length on the frosted end of the slide in pencil. When the polish is dry the slide is put into the slide box and the slot number is marked on the data sheet with the corresponding information.

Reading fin rays

Fin ray sections are read using a dissecting scope with 1.5X to 4X power magnification. Both transmitted and reflected light are used, whichever gives the best resolution of the periodic marks.

All readers will count annuli and assign an age at least twice before assigning a final age to be compared with other readers. Each reader will keep a record of first and subsequent readings and any remarks in addition to entering a final age determination for each sample on the data sheet. These readings are entered into the data base to be used for reader agreement percentages.

Uncertainty about age determinations will be resolved by consulting the criteria.

Recognizing annuli

Each year of growth is determined by an opaque (white) periodic ring or zone followed by a translucent (clear) periodic mark (annulus).

Central Star

The first year of growth is indicated by the clear, bright ring surrounding the focus of the section (central star). Occasionally, this annulus may be obscured by regeneration or constant growth during the first winter. Sections taken farther away from the articulation point may not show this central star. Generally the area within the second annulus is much greater than that which would be found within the first annulus. This area will decrease as the section is taken further from the point of articulation. The existence of a first annulus in this case may be indicated by the presence of translucent spots in the area where the central star should be visible. When any of the above happens the first clear ring may be the second winter and will more closely resemble subsequent annuli. If the readers agree that this has occurred this annulus is recorded as year 2 and a comment is made that the first annulus was missing.

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This is the way sections were read in the past. We now don’t use these samples if replacements are available. If we can’t discern the central star we attempt to replace the sample.

Annuli Characteristics

Annuli must be clear and distinct around the entire section except as follows:

1.) Annulus is distinct in the lobes but merges with other annuli in the dorsal and ventral areas. This is especially true for older fish and annuli near the section edge.

2.) Annulus is distinct in the dorsal and ventral areas but becomes indistinct in the lobes and there is evidence that the annulus was “squashed” by the inclusion of secondary rays.

3.) Annulus is continuous except for some irregularity in ray growth or damage to the ray.

The last annulus counted must be distinct from the membrane surrounding the hardened portion of the ray.

Counting annuli

1.) The first annulus is the “central star” (A1).

2.) If the central star is missing, the next annulus is counted (A2) as the second annulus (need reader agreement) or the sample is thrown out and replaced.

3.) Each subsequent annulus increases the age by one.

4.) The last annulus visible establishes the final count of annuli.

5.) Annuli generally form at the edge around June or July. If the fish in Appendix Figure C 2a was collected in March 1997, the amount of growth past A4 would indicate an annulus (A5) will form later this year. So the age would be recorded as a 4+. The fish was hatched in 1992 and the plus indicates that an annuli will form. A fish from the same cohort captured in July or August with an annulus (A5) at the edge would be recorded as 5. Still later in the year, an opaque area will form between A5 and the edge. The fish will continue to be recorded as 5 (with no + symbol) until January 1, 1998 (international birthdate). After that date and until the A6 annulus forms a fish from this cohort would be recorded as 5+ (6 years old in 1998) This system will keep fish of the same cohort together for analysis. Because of banding or stacking at the edge of some samples it is easiest to just count all complete annuli and add the + designation if the sample was taken before July 1. If the sample was taken after June 30 count all complete annuli and record the age without the + designation.

6.) Bands or groups of annuli or secondary marks (Appendix Figure C 2b) often occur in samples from fish collected above Bonneville Dam and less often in fish from below Bonneville. We are still unsure whether the clear and distinct rings in these bands are all annuli or may be more than one ring laid down in a year (possible causes: food availability, spawning events, injury, disease). To provide consistent readings, we are counting each clear and distinct ring as an annulus.

7.) Annuli occurring near the edge may be stacked and somewhat obscure (Figure 2b). Special attention is necessary to accurately determine the number of annuli in this area.

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Sometimes it helps to turn the mirror on the scope to the dull side to help define the annuli.

Establishing final age

After all readers have independently read and assigned ages to the collection, the primary reader will compare the ages. Samples with identical ages will be entered with that age and be coded as exact agreement. Samples with different reader ages will be either:

1.) Re-read by the primary reader and the age of one of the readers assigned as the final age and coded as to which readers age was assigned.

2.) Re-read by the primary reader and a new age assigned that agrees with none of the assigned ages. The new age would be entered and coded as a compromise.

3.) Re-read by the primary reader and the sample rejected. This sample would be replaced if additional samples exist.

Glossary

Annulus - A clear and distinct translucent periodic ring surrounded by opaque area. Indicates a once a year occurrence.

Bands - Groups of paired periodic rings occurring in close proximity to one another as compared to the remainder of the section.

Center - Point of origin of the fin ray section.

Central Star - Translucent periodic ring surrounding the center opaque area, often in the shape of a star. This is the first annulus (A1).

Check - Translucent ring or zone that doesn’t meet the criteria for an annulus. It takes the form of incomplete or extremely thin annuli. Not counted as an annuli. Possible causes: injury, disease, or change in food type or abundance.

Cohort -Fish that are hatched in the same calendar year. (age group, year class)

Edge -Outermost periphery of the hard or congealed portion of the section. (margin)

Fleshy covering -Soft, translucent portion between the edge and skin. Possibly the unsolidified, most recent growth of the ray.

Necklacing - Areas of the translucent ring that separate from and then rejoin the ring. Can happen multiple times on a single translucent area. For now we are counting these necklaces as individual annuli because with OTC analysis we think that annuli may be laid down on top of each other. Possible causes include any event that would slow or stop growth.

Periodic Rings - Alternating opaque and translucent rings or zones laid down around the central star. Occurrence presumably relates to a time interval in which the fish was either consuming organisms high in calcium and when they were not. Well defined and continuous rings are thought to be annual events.

1.) Opaque Zone or ring formed during periods of active growth, often thought to be spring through fall when fish are consuming high amounts of calcium. White/gray color is from calcium rich deposits.

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2.) Translucent Zone or ring formed during periods of slow growth, often thought to occur during winter. Translucent to clear nature comes from a low amount of available calcium. However, some translucent rings may not be annuli.

Regeneration - Formation of ray material not in a concentric pattern. Takes place in response to a need to repair or replace a portion of the ray in response to damage. Often occurs in the center of the ray. (brains)

Year Class - Fish that are hatched in the same calendar year. (age group, cohort)

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Appendix Figure C 1. Location of sample pieces and sections of white sturgeon leading pectoral fin ray in relation to the whole pectoral fin.

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Appendix Figure C 2. Pectoral fin ray sections of white sturgeon showing (a) opaque growth subsequent to the last translucent periodic ring (+ designation) and (b) banding, stacking and necklacing of periodic rings.

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Appendix D

Methods for Sampling and Estimating Stage of Maturity of Gonads from White Sturgeon.

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Surgery

After capture the fish is held in the live well or tied to the boat until the necessary equipment and surgical items (Appendix Table D 1) are prepared. Once this is done, the fish is transferred to a hooded stretcher and positioned on its back on the deck or a convenient beach. The hood is flooded and continually flushed with fresh water to aerate the gills. The remainder of the fish is covered with wet burlap to keep the fish cool and the skin moist. Care should be taken to keep surgical instruments and hands sterile to avoid contamination of the fish. Hands should be washed with Betadyne or sterile latex gloves should be worn. The abdominal area, three lateral scutes anterior to the genital pore, is swabbed with cotton soaked with zephiran chloride to disinfect. A 1.0 to 1.5 cm incision is made with a scalpel through the body wall just off the mid-line, being careful not to cut any internal organs. The gonads are located along the dorsal and ventral sides of the body cavity. It may be necessary to raise the tail end of the fish to drain body fluids towards the head in order to observe the gonad. Advanced and mature female gonads will be quite large and are often readily seen through the incision. Gonads that are immature or in early stages of maturation are small and difficult to find. If the gonad is not visible, the speculum of the otoscope is inserted into the opening to examine the condition of the gonads. The incision may need to be enlarged to 2.0 to 2.5 cm to fit the otoscope speculum. Once the gonad is identified, a small sample up to 10 g is removed with the tissue forceps, placed in a small vial, and preserved with 10% formalin. The sample number and date from the data sheet for the fish are recorded on the vial. Comments on gonad condition and the surgical process are recorded in the remarks column or on the back of the data sheet. Then we inject 200 mg of oxytetracycline (4 cc of 50 mg/ml, or 2 cc of 100 mg/ml concentration) through the incision into the body cavity. The incision is closed by using a half circle, reverse cutting edge needle, size CP-2 swedged with PDS (polydioxanone) suture. When the body wall is thick (greater than 0.5 cm) a vertical mattress stitch is used. When the body wall is thinner, a simple stitch is used (Appendix Figure D 1). The sutures should be no more than one cm apart. They should pull the edges together but not too tightly. This will prevent cutting by the sutures during swelling in the healing process. The incision is then swabbed with zephiran chloride and dried. A surgical adhesive (Nexaband or Vetbond) is applied to cover the incision and the sutures to protect the area for a short period of time. The fish is released and the instruments, including speculum, are cleaned with alcohol and stored in the Nolvosan solution.

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Appendix Figure D 1. Stitches used to close surgical incisions in the abdominal wall of white sturgeon.

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Appendix Table D 1. List of surgical equipment and supplies needed to sample gonads from live white sturgeon. ____________________________________________________________________________ Sealable container for instruments Scalpel and blades Forceps, angled and straight Hemostats Surgical scissors Syringes Otoscope and speculums Surgical needles and sutures (Ethicon CP-2, 3-O PDS) Sterile surgical latex gloves Cotton balls Betadyne Nolvosan, short-term sterilant Alcohol Zephiran chloride Oxytetracycline Formalin 10% Surgical adhesive (Nexaband or Vetbond) Sample vials Hooded stretcher Burlap ______________________________________________________________________________

Estimating stage of egg maturity

Samples are processed under a ventilated hood or in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing the formalin fumes. Gloves are worn. Size and color are used to classify eggs or oocytes by stage of maturity (Appendix Table D 2). Individual eggs or oocytes are separated from the ovarian tissue and placed on a slide for measurements. Each measurement is made through the center of the oocyte. Soaking a sample of gonad in household bleach for approximately one minute helps free the oocytes from the connective tissue. Samples containing previtellogenic oocytes are measured to the nearest mm using a stereo microscope and a metric ruler. Twenty oocytes from each sample are measured because a wide range of oocyte sizes are observed in these samples. The average measurement for the sample is then divided by the magnification of the microscope to give the average diameter of the oocytes to the nearest 0.01 mm. Early vitellogenic, late vitellogenic, and ripe eggs are measured with a micrometer in a dissecting microscope set at 1.5X. Samples are prepared in a similar manner as before, except only ten oocytes are measured from each sample because the observed variation is minimal and precision

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is not increased with a larger sample size. Eggs are measured to the smallest micrometer unit with each unit counting as one. The average measurement for the sample is then multiplied by the correction factor (0.06) to give the average diameter of the eggs to the nearest 0.01 mm. Table D 2. Categories of egg maturity. Category Number Category Description of Category

1 Early vitellogenic Eggs are clear, cream to grey and have an average diameter from 0.6 mm to 2.1 mm.

2 Late vitellogenic Eggs are pigmented and attached to ovarian tissue. Eggs have an average diameter from 2.2 mm to 2.9 mm.

3 Ripe Eggs are fully pigmented and detached from ovarian tissue. Eggs have an average diameter from 3.0 mm to 3.4 mm.

4 Spent Gonads are flaccid and contain some residual fully pigmented eggs.

5 Previtellogenic with attritic oocytes

Gonads do not show visual signs of vitellogenesis. Eggs are present but have an average diameter less than 0.5 mm. Dark pigmented tissue are present that may be reabsorbed eggs.

6 Previtellogenic Gonads do not show visual signs of vitellogenesis. Eggs are present but have an average diameter less than 0.5 mm.

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Appendix E

Conversion Factors

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Appendix E. Conversion Factors

Multiply By To obtain

centimeter (cm) 0.3937 inch (in)cubic foot per second (cfs; ft3/s) 0.0283 cubic meter per second (m3/s)feet 6 fathommillimeter (mm) 0.03937 inch (in)meter (m) 3.281 foot (ft)kilometer (km) 0.6214 mile (mi)liter (L) 33.82 ounce, fluid (fl.oz)liter (L) 2.113 pint (pt)liter (L) 1.057 quart (qt)liter (L) 0.2642 gallon (gal)meter per second (m/s) 3.281 foot per second (ft/s)kilogram (kg) 2.205 pound (lb)thousand cubic feet per second (kxft3/s) 0.0283 one thousand cubic meters per second (kxm3/s)

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) to degrees Celsius (°C): °C = (°F-32) * 0.55556Fork Length (FL) of Columbia River white sturgeon converted to total length (TL): TL=1.11xFL

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