Lake Clark sockeye salmon population assessment

Radio telemetry was used to identify and map sockeye salmon spawning habitats in glacially influenced Lake Clark, Kvichak River watershed, Alaska. Two hundred eighty-two adult sockeye salmon were radio tagged and tracked to spawning grounds. Thirty-five spawning areas were identified, including 18 previously unidentified. Comparison of radio telemetry data with past aerial population surveys indicate sockeye salmon spawning habitat use and distribution in Lake Clark was underestimated, likely due to poor visibility associated with glacial habitats. Although glacially turbid waters are not considered suitable incubation environments because fine sediments can suffocate embryos, more than 60% of radio tagged fish spawned in such waters. Over 50% of identified spawning areas are along the shores of Lake Clark and Little Lake Clark and about 75% of spawning areas are adjacent to private land. Proposed development on these lands could negatively impact critical spawning habitats if protective measures are not in place.