Summer Surveys of Adult Trout and Salmon

The Smith River is famous for the fall-run salmon and winter-run trout that support an outstanding fishery, yet few people experience spring-run salmon and summer-run trout. These other types of chinook salmon and steelhead trout are too rare to support a fishery, but they are important components of the Smith River’s biodiversity. Remarkably, these large fish reside in the river throughout the summer months. Coastal cutthroat trout are also present in summer and with great abundance.

The exceptional clarity of the Smith River makes it possible to annually survey the abundance and distribution of fish in summer using direct observation (mask and snorkel). The Smith River National Recreation Area (USFS) and the California Department of Fish and Game have intermittently monitored summer adult fish populations of the Smith River since 1982. With the support of these agencies, the Smith River Alliance began in 2000 to sponsor and coordinate a volunteer-based survey of adult fish (aka “Fish Count”). This event has been successful in both contributing to a long term data set on summer fish populations and providing an exceptional educational experience for participants.

Funding provided by the California Department of Fish and Game has enabled SRA to expand the summer adult fish survey into all three forks of the Smith River, as well conduct analysis of the data collected. The Dean Witter Foundation has provided funding for educational resources and other support that further contributes to the success of the Fish Count and the summer adult fish monitoring program.

The Smith River Alliance invites all swimmers and wild-fish-enthusiasts to help with the next Fish Count.

2005 Fish Survey results (PDF)
2006 Fish Survey results (PDF)
2007 Fish Survey results (PDF)
2008 Fish Survey results (PDF)
2009 Fish Survey results (PDF)

How You Can Help: Participate in the 2010 Fish Survey.