Three Rivers Members & Friends' Social Event, March 20

A tiny kokanee fry, trapped in 2023 on Lewis Creek - D. Engquist

Three Rivers Chapter is eagerly looking forward to hosting a Member and Friends' Social on Wednesday, March 20, at the VFW Redmond, from 6:30-8:30 PM. It’ll be an evening to celebrate the arrival of the spring equinox, the coming spring fishing season, the ongoing efforts to restore Lake Sammamish kokanee, the successes of our Barrier Assessment Team (BAT), and the sharing of some new potential local conservation projects for Three Rivers Chapter volunteers.

As always, it will be a great opportunity to catch up with fellow members, get acquainted with new ones, swap fishing stories, and enjoy good food and beverages. We’ll even have a couple of short entertaining films to share. So, mark your calendars and plan to join us at our March member social. Feel free to bring your friends!

Here is the address: VFW Redmond, 4330 148th Ave NE, Redmond, WA

To help us plan for the expected attendance, please RSVP “Be there” to Chapter President Steve Laing at stevemlaing@gmail.com.

Kokanee Work Group News

Captive Kokanee Yield Thousands of Fertilized Eggs, Promising Record Fry Release in 2024

Tray of fertilized kokanee eggs

Investments in the kokanee captive brood stock and hatchery supplementation programs are paying off. Nearly 18,000 kokanee eggs successfully fertilized and “eyed” during the first stage of salmon development this past January. Thanks to the technology of cryo-banking and expertise of King County’s Environmental Lab, kokanee milt, or sperm, collected in prior years fertilized eggs from the current year, helping to maintain the genetic diversity of our unique Lake Sammamish Late-Run Kokanee for years to come.    

Kokanee Returns Improved in Fall 2023

Kokanee salmon in spawning colors

In January, the Kokanee Technical Committee reviewed spawning survey results and developed the final 2023/24 estimates of 279 spawning kokanee in Lake Sammamish, which is three times greater than the 2022/23 return of 81 spawning kokanee. While 279 is an improvement, the estimate is still in the low abundance zone for the population.  

 

Remote Stream Incubators at Work - Thank You, Trout Unlimited!

Photo featuring Dave Kyle, Lake Washington Basin Program Manager of Trout Unlimited 

Our KWG partner, Dave Kyle of Trout Unlimited, spent his New Year’s Day in the field, planting over 1,300 freshly fertilized kokanee eggs in a remote stream incubator on Zackuse Creek. By reintroducing kokanee in Zackuse Creek, the aim is to jumpstart recolonization following a culvert replacement that now allows access to the upstream portion of the creek. Signs appear positive as nine spawning kokanee were counted returning to Zackuse Creek this past season. Thank you, Dave, for your tireless efforts operating remote stream incubators to bring late-run kokanee back to their historic creeks. The next generation of kokanee are in good hands!  

EastLake Sammamish Trail Completed

Eastlake Sammamish Trail Completed

The trail completion includes six new fish-passable culverts which improve water quality, enhance habitat, and increase access to spawning grounds for the Lake Sammamish Kokanee.

Photo Credit: King County Parks