Southeast Alaska steelhead snorkel surveys of regional index streams, 2008 and 2009

Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series No. 12-08, Anchorage.

Snorkel surveys have been conducted annually since 1997 to monitor the spawning abundance of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss in 10 index streams in Southeast Alaska, and were conducted again during 2008 and 2009. These index streams were surveyed by a two- or three-person team using snorkel gear between mid-April and early June. Snorkel surveyors observed peak counts (counts bracketed by lower counts) in 7 of the index streams during 2008, and 9 during 2009. The peak survey counts in index streams during 2008 and 2009 were generally lower, and observers reported average to below average peak counts in most index streams. For the first time since 2002 no “record high” peak counts were recorded in either 2008 or 2009.