FISHWORKS. Volunteers from the Albany. Cheadle Lake disabled angler platform completed OREGON. Spring 2010

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1 OREGON FISHWORKS Volunteers from the Albany Chapter of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders have completed construction of a disabled angler platform at Cheadle Lake in Lebanon, funded in part by a $12,200 grant from the Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program. The grant funds were used to purchase construction materials. Cheadle Lake is a 106-acre lake located within the Lebanon city limits and offers public fishing opportunities for bass, catfish, and panfish. The new platform provides access for disabled anglers including those with walkers and wheelchairs. Before the platform was constructed there were no suitable fishing locations along the lake s banks for disabled anglers. This platform is part of the ongoing effort by the Albany Chapter of the Northwest Steelheaders to renovate and develop Cheadle Lake as a viable warm-water fishery, open to all anglers, said Richard Smith, Albany Chapter president. The platform is being dedicated to Dustin May, a young disabled angler whose family s efforts to find accessible places for him to fish inspired the Cheadle Lake fishing platform project. In addition to the R&E Program grant, the city of Lebanon also contributed to the project. Most recently, the R&E Program has awarded the Albany Steelheaders a $23,800 grant to help purchase and install a threehorsepower electric water pump that will be used to pump water from the adjacent Albany-Santiam Canal, to which the city of Lebanon has recreational water rights, into the lake. This will maintain Cheadle Lake at fishable levels throughout the summer months. Spring 2010 News from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife s (ODFW) Fish Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) and Salmon and Trout Enhancement Programs (STEP) Cheadle Lake disabled angler platform completed The Dustin May fishing platform on Cheadle Lake in Lebanon is providing increased fishing opportunities for disabled anglers of all ages. Photo by Richard Smith STEP volunteers collect fall Chinook salmon scale samples Volunteers from Oregon South Coast Fishermen have been helping Lower Rogue District STEP biologist John Weber collect fall Chinook salmon scale samples on the lower Chetco River as part of an ongoing project to monitor the age composition and hatchery-wild ratio of the salmon run. According to Weber, gathering this information is part of the Chetco River system fall Chinook conservation plan, and will help fisheries managers estimate run return numbers as well as determining what percentage of the run is made up of wild fish. The bulk of the scale sampling is done in November and December. In This Issue Cheadle Lake Platform Chetco River Fall Chinook New Sturgeon Spawning Area Latest STAC and R&E Grants New STEP Hires New R&E Board members Invasive Aquatic Species

2 Latest STAC Mini-Grants MG Hanging Scales & Tripods, Umpqua Fishermen s Assoc., $750 MG PT4ION D.O. Monitoring System, Curry Anadromous Fishermen, $1,200 MG Classroom Aquarium Units, ODFW, $900 MG Update to Equipment for Salmon Watch, The Freshwater Trust $2,000 MG Dehooker Production, Training & Distribution, Assoc., of NW Steelheaders, $835 MG Nestucca Connections Equipment, North Coast STEP/Nestucca Connections, $1,569 May 21 June 18 June 25 July August 13 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Calendar R&E Board Meeting, Baker City STAC Mini-Grant R&E Grant STAC Meeting Madras R&E Board Meeting, Gold Beach R&E Grant R&E Grant Oregon FishWorks will soon go to electronic distribution only. Watch future issues for more details. STEP on the Web R&E Program on the Web R&E funds study of newly discovered white sturgeon spawning area in Willamette River Researchers from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recently began surveying the Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls to learn more about a previously unknown white sturgeon spawning area. According to Tucker Jones, ODFW white sturgeon project leader, researchers were surprised to discover white sturgeon spawning in the Willamette River last spring. Until then, the only known spawning grounds for the lower Columbia River white sturgeon population, which includes sturgeon in the lower Willamette River, was immediately downstream of Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. White sturgeon are important recreationally, commercially, culturally and ecologically, said Jones. Identifying another sturgeon spawning area is a big deal. Researchers have received a $44,187 grant from the Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program to help get a clearer picture of the extent and timing of sturgeon spawning in the Willamette. To determine the level of white sturgeon spawning activity downstream of Willamette Falls, researchers will try to collect eggs using substrate mats that will catch the eggs as they settle on the river bottom. Sturgeon are broadcast spawners, laying their eggs throughout the water column. The eggs then sink and adhere to the river bottom to incubate. White sturgeon provide an important and popular recreational fishery in Oregon. Photo by ODFW Jones planned to conduct the survey from April to the end of June, when seasonal water temperatures are usually optimal for sturgeon spawning. However, unseasonably warm weather this spring has prompted an earlier start to the research. In time, researchers hope to map the exact size and location of the spawning area in the Willamette River, and document when spawning takes place and what environmental conditions, such as water temperature, influence spawning activity. The white sturgeon is an ancient species of fish native to the Pacific Coast of North America from Alaska south to Baja California. They can live in the ocean, estuaries or freshwater rivers, but only spawn in the Columbia, Sacramento, and Fraser river systems. Growing up to 20 feet long, they are the largest freshwater fish in North America. The lower Columbia River sturgeon population provides an important and popular recreation fishery and almost 180,000 lower Columbia River white sturgeon were harvested by anglers between 2003 and The discovery of a sturgeon spawning ground in the Willamette River recently prompted the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt new sport fishing regulations to help protect spawning fish. These include: a) establishing a seasonal sturgeon spawning sanctuary on the Willamette River between Willamette Falls and the I-205 bridge from May through July, and b) the closure of the bank fishing area in Oregon City known colloquially as The Wall.

3 The FishWorks Shop Aquatic invasive species are animals and plants that have been introduced into ecosystems where they are not native, and they are becoming an increasingly expensive problem in the United States, including here in Oregon. Once non-native aquatic species are introduced into an area with favorable habitat, they often flourish in their new environment since they typically have no enemies, and because the native flora and fauna did not evolve alongside them they have developed no natural defenses against the invaders. Once a non-native species becomes established it can be virtually impossible to eradicate it. And the cost of allowing them to gain a foothold can be high, including in dollars, impacts on human use of natural resources and effects on ecosystem functions. For example, in the Great Lakes, non-native sea lampreys were responsible for the collapse of the lake trout fishery in the 1940s and 1950s. Since then, chemical control of the lampreys has restored the lakes trout populations, but at a cost of $12 million annually. Zebra mussels are estimated to cost the U.S. $5 billion each year and invasive species have played a role in 40 percent of native species extinctions in this country. Oregon isn t immune from this threat. For example, it s estimated that nearly 70 aquatic invasive species are present in the waters around Coos Bay. The following describes some of the aquatic invasive species already here in Oregon or could potentially infest the state s waters along with how you can help combat them. Mussels, Clams and Snails Zebra and quagga mussels are natives of the regions around the Black and Caspian seas and are most commonly spread on boats being hauled overland from infested waters to uninfested waters. Extremely prolific and able to live up to several days outside of water, Zebra mussels will form huge mats on hard structures, while quagga mussels will form large mats on both hard and soft structures. These mussels also filter large volumes of water (up to a liter per day) removing most of the plankton from the food web which creates a substantial impact on ecosystems. These mussels are well established in the central and eastern states and the Colorado River system. Without diligent prevention to keep them out of the state it Quagga mussels represent a serious future is only a matter of time before they arrive in the Pacific Northwest. threat to Oregon s freshwater ecosystems. Asian clams are already established in Oregon, originally introduced as an additional human food source. Because they exist in very high densities, they alter aquatic habitats and the food chain. Also present in Oregon is the New Zealand mudsnail, which outcompetes native macroinvertebrates, negatively affecting other organisms in the food chain. Frogs Oregon has 12 species of native frogs and toads, but it s the 13th the non-native bullfrog that causes trouble. Bullfrogs are native to eastern North America but began spreading to other parts of the U.S. starting in the early 1900s. Because they have few enemies or competitors they often dominate their adopted environments, breeding prolifically and feeding on birds, fish, snakes, frogs and other native species. Turtles Aquatic Invasive Species Spring 2010 Two non-native species of turtles are found in Oregon waters, the red-eared slider and the common snapping turtle. Red-eared sliders are natives of the eastern U.S. and have been a popular pet. They are now illegal to own in the state, but past illegal releases of unwanted pet turtles ito the wild has resulted in large populations in some An Educational Series Presented by the R&E and STEP Programs

4 areas of the state, especially in the Willamette Valley. Snapping turtles are also natives of the eastern states. Large populations of snapping turtles can be found in the Willamette Valley and other parts of Oregon. These species compete directly with Oregon s two native turtles, the western pond turtle and western painted turtle, for food, and nesting, cover and basking habitat. Fish Oregon has a number of undesirable non-native species that have become established in its waters including goldfish, common carp and Oriental weatherfish. Goldfish illegally introduced into Mann Lake in southeastern Oregon have reached such high population levels they are impacting the lake s trophy Lahontan cutthroat trout fishery. Carp are numerous in many ponds, lakes and backwaters where they forage on the bottom, destroying aquatic vegetation and increasing water turbidity. Oriental weatherfish escaped from fish hobbyists into the wild and are now found in the Clackamas River and lower Willamette and Columbia river basins. Even native fish in the wrong place can play havoc with ecosystems. Tui chub used as bait by anglers escaped into Diamond Lake in the Oregon Cascade Mountains and eventually became so numerous they severly altered the lake s ecosystem and virtually destroyed its popular trout fishery. It cost $5.5 million to remove them by chemical treatment and restore the lake s angling opportunities. Crabs and Crayfish There are three non-native crayfish species currently found in Oregon, although presently in low numbers. These are the red swamp crayfish, rusty crayfish and the ringed crayfish. These crayfish were probably introduced as escapees from aquaculture operations or having been used as bait by anglers. Their primary impact is direct competition with Oregon s native crayfish, the signal crayfish, and sedimentation due to their burrowing activities. European green crabs have been introduced off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, and their potential long-term impact on the valuable Dungeness crab fishery is a concern. A few Chinese mitten crab have been found in Oregon in the Coos system and lower Columbia River. They are well established in the San Francisco Bay area. Because they are extremely prolific and spend part of its life history in freshwater and part in brackish water, these crabs have a significant negative impact on coastal freshwater systems and estuaries. Plants Invasive non-native aquatic and riparian plants can be paticularly destructive, outcompeting native species and decreasing biodiversity that affects a wide range of animals. Giant salvinia forms large floating mats on lake surfaces, reed canarygrass grows in dense stands that may transform wetland habitats, while Japanese knotweed may proliferate in riparian zones where it shades out native vegetation. Once established, non-native plants are all but impossible to eradicate. Stopping Invasive Aquatic Species When it comes to invasive aquatic species, the best defense is a good offense. Anglers and other members of the public are the first line of defense against these unwanted interlopers and there are many things you can do to help stop their spread. Don t release non-native species into the wild. After a day of boating, thoroughly check the hull to make sure you don t have undesirable hitchhikers aboard. Decontaminate waders and wading boots before using them in another river system or basin. Learn to identify the most common invasive aquatic species that threaten your area and report any suspicious species you encounter to your local natural resources authorities. For more information about invasive non-native species, contact ODFW Invasive Species Coordinator Rick Boatner at (503) or visit the Oregon Invasive Species Council web site at: For additional information on the R&E Program, contact Program Coordinator Laura Tesler For more information about STEP contact Program Coordinator Kevin Herkamp, (503)

5 Herkamp hired as new STEP coordinator, Clapp and Rehn are new STEP bios Kevin Herkamp started as the new STEP Coordinator, based at ODFW s Salem headquarters, in January. With a B.S. in Wildlife Management from Oregon State University and a B.S. in Law Enforcement from Western Oregon University, he brings a diversity of experience to the STEP program including work with the Oregon Department of Forestry assessing impacts of forest roads such as runoff levels and fish passage issues, and leading inmate work crews on invasive weed control, tree planting and other habitat restoration projects. He also worked with the Oregon Department of State Lands assisting watershed councils and small landowners in obtaining state permits for fish habitat restoration projects. In addition, he was a trooper with the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division in Coos Bay. The opportunity to spend more time working in the field with STEP biologists and volunteers on fish restoration projects was a major reason Herkamp sought the coordinator position. Two other recent STEP hires include Christine Clapp as Mid-Coast STEP Biologist and Ron Rehn as North Coast STEP Biologist. Clapp has an M.S. in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology from Colorado State University and research experience in Colorado and on Svalbard, Norway. Rehn has a B.S. in Natural Resources Management from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He has worked extensively for ODFW at a number of hatcheries and was most recently the Habitat Biologist for the North Coast District. Two new R&E board members appointed Baker City resident William Lovelace was appointed to a four-year term on the R&E Board as the public-at-large representative and Robert Bumstead was appointed to a four-year term on as a sport fishing representative by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Jan. 8 in Salem. A retired real estate broker, Lovelace is a long-time dedicated angler who has been involved in a variety of fish related William Lovelace educational and restoration activities including as a member of the Powder Basin Reservation of Water Rules Advisory Committee, Powder Basin Watershed Council and Hells Canyon Complex and Bull Trout Recovery Unit Teams. He replaces Bob Mulong (aka Captain Caddis ), of Bend, whose term expired at the end of An assistant professor at Pacific University and resident of Eugene, Bumstead is an avid angler whose experience includes past conservation chair Robert Bumstead of the McKenzie Flyfishers, Waldo Lake Advisory Committee, McKenzie Watershed Council and currently serves on Oregon Trout s Salmon Watch Steering Committee. He replaces Darlene Kline-Dolby, of Eugene, whose term expired at the end of Recent R&E Grants Enhancement No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Restoration No No No No No No East End Mooring Basin-Fish Cleaning Station, $11, Kids Fishing Camp at Camp Angelos, $8,000 Butterfield Lake Angler Access Enhancement, $23,200 Central Oregon Angling Guides, $4,300 Jefferson County Youth Fishing Pond, $54,000 Kloan Composting Toilet, $27,789 Marine Recreational Angler Education Events, $3,440 ODFW Angler Education Trailers, $28,000 St. Louis Ponds ADA Path, $69,600 Cheadle Lake Water Pump, $23,800 Bonneville Hatchery Trout Pond Refurbish, $6,550 Umpqua Basin Fishing Promotion, $$2,000 Willamette Valley Ponds Aquatic Vegetation Control, $43,000 Canby Pond Angling Acces Improvements, $6,500 Paulina Lake Blue Chub Control Project, $7,050 Gene Expression and Hatchery and Steelhead Fry, $30,000 NCWD Hatcheries Digital Microscope Propagation, $9,451 Oak Springs Middle Pond Flow Enhancement, $87,364 Indian Creek Hatchery Oxygenation System, $10,063 Phillips Reservoir Creel Survey, $23,485 Upper Luckiamute Fish Passage Improvement, $20,000 Warrenton High Hatchery Water Upgrade & Filtration, $45,814 Alsea Hatchery Restoration Bundle, $25, Duffy Creek Fish Passage Project, $15, Life Cycle Monitoring Fish Lift, $25,600

6 STE P and R &E Programs Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 3406 Cherry Ave., N.E. Salem, OR Oregon FishWorks Spring 2010, Volume 14, Number 2 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 3406 Cherry Ave., N.E. Salem, OR Fax Roy Elicker, Director Laura Tesler, R&E Program Coordinator Kevin Herkamp, STEP Coordinator Debbi Farrell, R&E/STEP Assistant Jim Yuskavitch, Editing and Design Restoration and Enhancement Board Gary Soderstrom, Chair... Gillnet Fishing Lonnie Johnson... Sport Fishing Robert Bumstead... Sport Fishing Dixie Boley... Seafood Processing William Lovelace... Public-At-Large Terry Learned... Troll Fishing Jack Glass... Sport Fishing STEP Advisory Committee Tod Jones, Chair... North Coast-Astoria Dave Dunahay... Eastern Oregon Michael Brochu... Umpqua Gary Enoch... Upper Rogue Rosemary Furfey... Lower Willamette Patrick Gefre... North Coast-Tillamook William Hastie... Mid-Willamette Richard Heap... Lower Rogue Sammie Mosley...Eastern Oregon ~ Armand Pena... Tenmile, Coos, Coquille Tom Petersen... Mid Coast Norman Ritchie... Lower Willamette Leslie Wade... Upper Willamette STEP Coordinator Kevin Herkamp, Salem (503) Kevin.Herkamp@state.or.us R&E/STEP Program Assistant Debbi Farrell, Salem (503) Deoborah.L. Farrell@state.or.us STEP Biologists North Coast STEP Ron Rehn, Tillamook (503) Ron.F.Rehn@state.or.us Mid Coast STEP Christine Clapp, Newport (541) x253 Christine.M.Clapp@state.or.us Umpqua STEP Greg Huchko, Roseburg (541) Greg.F.Huchko@state.or.us Tenmile, Coos, and Coquille STEP Gary Vonderohe, Charleston (541) Gary.R.Vonderohe@state.or.us Tom Rumreich,Charleston (541) Thomas.J.Rumreich@state.or.us The Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program provides funding for fish restoration and enhancement projects throughout Oregon, while the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program harnesses the dedication and enthusiasm of volunteers to rehabilitate and enhance Oregon s fisheries. MISSION: FISHERY CONSERVATION STEP Contacts Lower Rogue STEP John Weber, Gold Beach (541) John.A.Weber@state.or.us Upper Rogue STEP Chuck Fustish, Central Point (541) Chuck.A.Fustish@state.or.us Lower Willamette STEP Jeff Fulop, Clackamas (971) Jeff.S.Fulop@state.or.us Mid Willamette STEP Karen Hans, Corvallis (541) x251 Karen.M.Hans@state.or.us Upper Willamette STEP Jeff Ziller, Springfield (541) x26 Jeffrey.S.Ziller@state.or.us Erik Moberly, Springfield (541) , x28 Erik.R.Moberly@state.or.us Eastern Oregon STEP Jennifer Luke, Bend (541) Jennifer.A.Luke@state.or.us To subscribe or unsubscribe to Oregon FishWorks, call R&E/STEP at (503)