KOKANEE FRY TRAPPING

Kokanee are a native Pacific Northwest salmon closely related to sockeye that live only in freshwater. Historically the predominant salmon species in Lake Sammamish, today the population is in decline. Since 2008, Three Rivers Trout Unlimited has supported recovery efforts by coordinating a community science program to collect data for population monitoring. Every year volunteers donate around 1,000 hours to trap and count fry four nights a week as they migrate from spawning streams for use in a model to determine the productivity of the previous spawning return.

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.

    • See below for available shifts

  • 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.

    • Ideally, you can join weekly with your own group of conservation champions or a new one!

    • 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 communicate with Wayne to set up regular scheduling.

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