Volunteer for Kokanee Fry Trapping

The Three Rivers Chapter of Trout Unlimited relies on volunteers to help monitor juvenile kokanee salmon as they migrate from tributary streams into Lake Sammamish. Volunteers staff evening fry trapping shifts, assist with checking traps, counting and releasing fish, and recording basic data. No prior experience is required. Training and on-site guidance are provided.

Evening shifts run from late February through mid-May at Lewis Creek.

Review the volunteer information on this page, including available shifts, and email Wayne to get started.

When: Late February to mid-May on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening. Kokanee fry migrate at night, so shift start times start near dusk and start later as days get longer.

Where: Near the outlets of Ebright (Sammamish) and Lewis (Issaquah) creeks around Lake Sammamish.

Time Commitment:

• Registration (15 minutes)
  Note: Initial registration is done via email to Wayne Lamm at wayne@threeriverstu.org.

  • Volunteers must provide contact information and sign a waiver to participate.

  • Youth must be accompanied by an adult to volunteer.

  • Then sign up on SignUp.com (see link below).

• Training (0.5 to 1 hour)

  • Volunteers must review the Kokanee Fry Trapping Protocol and Species Identification Guide sent during the registration process.

  • We strongly encourage volunteers to attend in-person training on the Saturday when traps are installed as well, however, most training is on-the-job and new volunteers are paired with experienced volunteers.

• Commit to 1+ Volunteer Shifts (3.5 to 4 hours/shift)

  • Each shift includes three one-hour-long trapping sessions.

  • Shift length depends on stream conditions that may impact trap set-up and take-down time, and the number of fish caught as it takes longer to count more fish.

• How to sign up

  • Once you have contacted Wayne, signed all waivers, and completed training (install day or arranged at your site) you can sign up online.

  • We're using SignUp (the leading online signup and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming activity. 

  • Here's how it works in 3 easy steps: 
    1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on SignUp: https://signup.com/go/ZoAEPGT
    2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on SignUp) 
    3. Sign up! Choose your spots - SignUp will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy! 
    Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.Select an available shift

  • If you need to cancel your shift within a 48-hour window please contact Wayne Lamm wayne@threeriverstu.org