Geiger et al. 2003

Geiger, H. J., T. P. Zadina, and S. C. Heinl. 2003. Sockeye salmon stock status and escapement goals for Hugh Smith Lake in Southeast Alaska. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries, Regional Information Report 1J03-05, Juneau, Alaska.

In Southeast Alaska and the Yakutat area, sockeye salmon spawn in over 200 coastal lakes and in several large transboundary river systems (rivers that flow through Canada into Alaska). We have extensive stock assessment information and escapement goals for 15 systems, including most of the largest sockeye salmon producers. Six escapement goals, not including the escapement goal for the italio River, which was rescinded in 2002 due to major physical and hydrologic change in the drainage. In the Yakutat area, escapement goals are currently in place for the Situk, Lost, Akwe, and the East Alsek-Doame Rivers. Escapement goals are established for the following transboundary rivers: Klukshu River (Alsek River drainage), the Taku River, tahltan Lake, and Mainstem Stikine (Stikine River drainage). Escapement goals are established for 6 additional systems in Southeast Alaska, including Chilkat, Chilkoot, Redoubt, Speel, McDonald and Hugh Smith lakes. We identified 1 candidate stock of concern: the Hugh Smith Lake sockeye salmon stock. Escapements have been consistently below the lower end of the previous escapement goal range for this system. the escapment goal for Hugh Smith Lake was reevaluated, and ADF&G is in the process of reviewing the stock assessment, management, and enhancement options for this sytem. in 2001, ADF&G and several cooperators, including tribal governments and the U.S.Forest Service, initiated field projects on 12 lakes that are important to the residents of klawock, hydaburg, Wrangell, Kake, Angoon, Hoonah, and Sitka. Additionally, ADF&G has other monitoring projects in place that have not yet produced enough information for long-term comparisons. Although yields have declined somewhat in the Yakutat area, probably due to hydrological changes in several rivers, yields have been generally stable or increasing in Southeast Alaska. In both areas, escapements have generally been within established escapement goal ranges. At this time, we consider the status of the socleye salmon stocks in Southeast Alaska and the Yakutat area to be in a favorable condition.