{"id":653,"date":"2025-06-10T17:29:57","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T17:29:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/?page_id=653"},"modified":"2025-07-09T17:19:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T17:19:29","slug":"mysterious-kokanee","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/mysterious-kokanee\/","title":{"rendered":"Mysterious Kokanee"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p id=\"top\">Kokanee in Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, once common, have declined and made a comeback- but their future hangs in the balance. Their story is still being written- read on below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-highlight-paragraph-grey-background\">Follow your interests by exploring videos, photos, and writing all about the topics on each sign. Looking for a different page? Click here to explore all topics!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-medium\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-h-3-font-size\">What&#8217;s on this page:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-light-purple-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#little\">The Little Red Fish<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-light-purple-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#comeback\">Kokanee Comeback?<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-light-purple-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#research\">Research in Action: Scientists, students, and volunteers<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-light-purple-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#fragile\">Fragile Future<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-medium\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"little\">The Little Red Fish<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\n    <div class=\"responsive-embed widescreen\">\n        <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lake Sammamish Kokanee - Waiting for the Lewis Creek Culverts to be replaced\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LSmi3VRD2lg?start=5&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>    <\/div>\n\n    \n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kokanee swim with young Coho and trout in Lewis Creek. Can you spot the speckles on the Kokanee\u2019s back?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-300-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-895ab1943bcac9f376bd34fbb4ae1c55\">What is Kokanee Salmon?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Kokanee are a variety of Sockeye salmon that don&#8217;t migrate to the ocean. Instead, Kokanee evolved to grow and mature within lakes before returning to streams to spawn. (Hmm\u2026 what might have stopped them from returning to the ocean?) They are smaller than Sockeye salmon, spawn a bit later, and they have different DNA. At least three populations of Kokanee were present: an &#8220;Early Run&#8221; starting in August and a &#8220;Late Run&#8221; through January in Lake Sammamish, and a &#8220;Middle Run&#8221; in Lake Washington. These different spawning times provided a steady source of fall and winter nutrition to tribal peoples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-historic-spawning-portrait-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-716\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-historic-spawning-portrait-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-historic-spawning-portrait-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-historic-spawning-portrait-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-historic-spawning-portrait-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-historic-spawning-portrait.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kokanee once spawned in many Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish creeks.&nbsp;Image from <a href=\"https:\/\/jsjensenblog.wordpress.com\/research-on-kokanee-oncorhynchus-nerka-freshwater-form\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr Jeff Jensen from UW Bothell<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-300-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-67e311193f3563c659764ed0cbe54745\">Plentiful Fish, Plentiful Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What fish do you think of when you think of salmon in Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might know about Coho, Chinook, and Sockeye that pass through the Ballard Locks each year. Before the mid 1900s, the answer might have been different- the \u201cLittle Red Fish\u201d or Kokanee salmon was the most common back then.<\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewbox=\"0 0 31.93 23.66\" width=\"34\">\n  <path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M19.94 23.655h11.988V12.578h-6.6a6.63 6.63 0 0 1 .662-3.486 8.55 8.55 0 0 1 5.721-4.722V.001a14.8 14.8 0 0 0-8.687 4.768q-3.089 3.606-3.089 9.994v8.893Zm-19.938 0H11.99V12.578h-6.6a7.5 7.5 0 0 1 .631-3.575q1.47-3.277 5.763-4.633V.001a14.54 14.54 0 0 0-8.771 4.788c-2 2.427-3.008 5.781-3.008 9.974Z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><p>There were thousands of &lsquo;Red Fish&rsquo; in both creeks; silver trout, landlocked sockeye salmon [Kokanee], hundreds of salmon spawning in both creeks.<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewbox=\"0 0 31.93 23.66\" width=\"34\" style=\"transform:rotate(180deg);transform-origin:center\">\n  <path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M19.94 23.655h11.988V12.578h-6.6a6.63 6.63 0 0 1 .662-3.486 8.55 8.55 0 0 1 5.721-4.722V.001a14.8 14.8 0 0 0-8.687 4.768q-3.089 3.606-3.089 9.994v8.893Zm-19.938 0H11.99V12.578h-6.6a7.5 7.5 0 0 1 .631-3.575q1.47-3.277 5.763-4.633V.001a14.54 14.54 0 0 0-8.771 4.788c-2 2.427-3.008 5.781-3.008 9.974Z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><\/p>\n<cite>Ernie Raymond, LFP school class of 1922, quoted in Growing Up with Lake Forest Park<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The abundant Kokanee may have brought the Snoqualmie Tribe to Lake Sammamish and Lake Washinton. It has been said that Kokanee\u2019s fall and winter runs were what allowed them to live here year-round. Read more from the Snoqualmie Tribe Culture Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-ed-davis-portrait-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-718\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-ed-davis-portrait-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-ed-davis-portrait-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-ed-davis-portrait-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-ed-davis-portrait-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-ed-davis-portrait.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ed Davis, from the <a href=\"https:\/\/snoqualmievalleymuseum.pastperfectonline.com\/photo\/B56CDA12-14E2-4922-8019-906636820381\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewbox=\"0 0 31.93 23.66\" width=\"34\">\n  <path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M19.94 23.655h11.988V12.578h-6.6a6.63 6.63 0 0 1 .662-3.486 8.55 8.55 0 0 1 5.721-4.722V.001a14.8 14.8 0 0 0-8.687 4.768q-3.089 3.606-3.089 9.994v8.893Zm-19.938 0H11.99V12.578h-6.6a7.5 7.5 0 0 1 .631-3.575q1.47-3.277 5.763-4.633V.001a14.54 14.54 0 0 0-8.771 4.788c-2 2.427-3.008 5.781-3.008 9.974Z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><p>The Snoqualmie come to settle in Lake Sammamish, Lake Washington. To find that red fish and that red fish was only in two lakes, I think &hellip; Then they got a taste of that red fish and they settle there. And that fish runs in a, oh, from fall to Christmas.<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewbox=\"0 0 31.93 23.66\" width=\"34\" style=\"transform:rotate(180deg);transform-origin:center\">\n  <path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M19.94 23.655h11.988V12.578h-6.6a6.63 6.63 0 0 1 .662-3.486 8.55 8.55 0 0 1 5.721-4.722V.001a14.8 14.8 0 0 0-8.687 4.768q-3.089 3.606-3.089 9.994v8.893Zm-19.938 0H11.99V12.578h-6.6a7.5 7.5 0 0 1 .631-3.575q1.47-3.277 5.763-4.633V.001a14.54 14.54 0 0 0-8.771 4.788c-2 2.427-3.008 5.781-3.008 9.974Z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg><\/p>\n<cite>Ed Davis, Snoqualmie community elder (1888-1987)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-300-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bd5b4c2be1077149ed6eaa996dd6ac56\">A Slow Disappearance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As time went on, urbanization and industries like logging and coal mining caused pollution and habitat loss in the Kokanee\u2019s home. In 2002, the Lake Sammamish &#8220;Early Run&#8221; was declared extinct, and most fishery biologists believed Lake Washington Kokanee had disappeared decades ago. Despite everything, some of the Lake Sammamish Late Run Kokanee managed to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-white-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#top\">back to top<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"comeback\">Kokanee Comeback?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-300-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96f89fc88d0c64ce943f887e46403652\">Mystery Fish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sammamish-kokanee-standard-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-719\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sammamish-kokanee-standard-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sammamish-kokanee-standard-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sammamish-kokanee-standard-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sammamish-kokanee-standard-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sammamish-kokanee-standard-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sammamish-kokanee-standard-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sammamish-kokanee-standard-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sammamish-kokanee-standard-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kokanee Spawning in the Sammamish River, November 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2011, many small red salmon appeared in the Sammamish river, between lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. What could they be? Most people thought they couldn&#8217;t be native Kokanee. Perhaps they were introduced (like the millions of Kokanee moved from Lake Whatcom), or maybe they were &#8220;residual&#8221; Sockeye that stayed in the lake while the rest of the population migrated to the ocean. Residual Sockeye can look identical to Kokanee. The red fish were a mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-300-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fb818ddbb8dbee0804fc7fa4e9a410f0\">Genetic Investigation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These fish remained a mystery until they showed up again in large numbers in 2017 and 2020, prompting researchers to take a closer look. Each population of Kokanee, like the early, middle, and late runs have different DNA from residual Sockeye, introduced Kokanee, and even each other. By analyzing their DNA, researchers could uncover who these mystery fish were and where from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To everyone&#8217;s surprise, they were closely related to, but different from, Lake Sammamish Kokanee. The \u201cMiddle Run\u201d of Lake Washington, once considered extinct, had been rediscovered! Kokanee returned in strong numbers again in 2022, 2023, and a surprising 2024 run exceeded expectations by 4X. Despite some strong spawning years, Kokanee are at risk. To keep up with Kokanee and find out where they\u2019re spotted each year, check out local Kokanee researcher Jeff Jensen\u2019s blog!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-white-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#top\">back to top<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"research\">Research in Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scientists, students, and community volunteers are working together to track our Kokanee and understand how to help them survive the journey from egg to spawning adult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-300-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-955930a7481f7bc025cbf06739d33fff\">Remote Site Incubators<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-remote-site-incubator-standard-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-remote-site-incubator-standard-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-remote-site-incubator-standard-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-remote-site-incubator-standard-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-remote-site-incubator-standard-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-remote-site-incubator-standard-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-remote-site-incubator-standard-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-remote-site-incubator-standard-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-remote-site-incubator-standard-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jsjensenblog.wordpress.com\/kokanee-projects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Remote site incubator (RSI) on Zaccuse Creek<\/a>.&nbsp;Photo credit:&nbsp; J. S. Jensen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Urban development creates surfaces like roofs, roads, and parking lots which rapidly funnel rain into storm drains that empty into our creeks. For vulnerable salmon eggs, a rush of rainfall can wash them out of their gravel protection. Remote Site incubators are designed and monitored by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tu.org\/\">Trout Unlimited<\/a> and UW Bothell faculty and students, built to mimic natural conditions while protecting eggs from the \u201cflashy\u201d conditions until they hatch, develop, and swim into the creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remote site incubators can re-introduce native Kokanee to streams they no longer spawn in! In collaboration with private property owners and government entities, these spawners can be loaded with fertilized eggs from native Kokanee of nearby creeks. One day, the adults may return and spawn naturally in the creek as they once did. <a href=\"https:\/\/lakesammamishkokanee.com\/remote-stream-incubator\/\">Learn how they work from Lake Sammamish Kokanee<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-300-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f5d15497128091707468faf6c7a0689f\">Fry Trapping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-lj-fly-trap-standard-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-721\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-lj-fly-trap-standard-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-lj-fly-trap-standard-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-lj-fly-trap-standard-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-lj-fly-trap-standard-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-lj-fly-trap-standard-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-lj-fly-trap-standard-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-lj-fly-trap-standard-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-lj-fly-trap-standard-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students from UW Bothell operating a fry trap on Laughing Jacobs Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Salmon face more challenges after they leave the safety of of the gravel or incubator. They may be eaten by native or non-native predators, or struggle to survive into adulthood in polluted conditions. Fry traps catch young fish as they swim downstream. This way, volunteers can identify and count the number of Kokanee fry that pass in an hour before they are released back into the creek. By comparing the amount of fry to the number of returning adults in the next few years, we can estimate how many young fish are surviving and know whether the population is increasing, decreasing, or staying about the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-kokanee-fry-standard-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-722\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-kokanee-fry-standard-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-kokanee-fry-standard-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-kokanee-fry-standard-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-kokanee-fry-standard-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-kokanee-fry-standard-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-kokanee-fry-standard-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-kokanee-fry-standard-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-kokanee-fry-standard-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kokanee Fry being counted in Laughing Jacobs Creek, 2024. Photo Credit: Ash Putzke.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Jeff Jensen from UW Bothell is helping to develop another way to \u201ccount\u201d the amount of fry with less labor- environmental DNA! Just like we shed our DNA into the environment (hair, skin), so do Kokanee fry. If the concentration of Kokanee DNA in the stream is related to the amount of fry counted, more streams could be \u201csurveyed\u201d with less work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every year, from the late winter through early spring, the <a href=\"http:\/\/Three Rivers Chapter of Trout Unlimited\">Three Rivers Chapter of Trout Unlimited<\/a> and Dr. Jensen team up with volunteers who help monitor the movement of newly hatched Kokanee fry. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threeriverstu.org\/kokanee-fry-trapping\">Sign up to volunteer each winter here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-300-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e697281100a6fe32eb9421443b5385ca\">Spawning Salmon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of adult Kokanee returning to creeks each year varies significantly. Current spawning creeks have had zero Kokanee some years and thousands other years- a sign of an unstable population. Teams of community volunteers dedicate time every year to record observations of salmon in our local creeks. This work is key to understanding where Kokanee (and other salmon species) are each year and estimate the amount of Kokanee returning that year. <a href=\"https:\/\/jsjensenblog.wordpress.com\/north-lake-washington-salmonwatchers-home\/\">Sign up to be a North Lake Washington Salmon Watcher<\/a> or learn how to <a href=\"https:\/\/jsjensenblog.wordpress.com\/north-lake-washington-salmonwatchers-2021-salmon-id\/\">identify a Kokanee<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you tell a Kokanee from a Sockeye salmon using a picture? What if it was a living fish in a stream? <a href=\"https:\/\/jsjensenblog.wordpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/kokanee-vs.-sockeye.pdf\">Learn how at Kokanee vs Sockeye from Dr. Jensen<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sockeye-vs-kokanee002-standard-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sockeye-vs-kokanee002-standard-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sockeye-vs-kokanee002-standard-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sockeye-vs-kokanee002-standard-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sockeye-vs-kokanee002-standard-1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sockeye-vs-kokanee002-standard-2048x1365.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sockeye-vs-kokanee002-standard-1920x1280.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sockeye-vs-kokanee002-standard-1200x800.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-sockeye-vs-kokanee002-standard-600x400.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The larger fish (top) is the sockeye. Can you spot other differences? Adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/jsjensenblog.wordpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/kokanee-vs.-sockeye.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kokanee vs Sockeye<\/a> by J. S Jensen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-medium\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center is-style-highlight-paragraph-primary\"><strong>Q:<\/strong> What can we learn from a dead fish that we can\u2019t learn from a living one?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-medium\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes it is unclear if an adult fish is a Kokanee or Sockeye salmon. They have a very similar shape and color, but usually their size and spawning times don\u2019t overlap. If Kokanee arrive early, grow especially large, or show up at an unusual location, it\u2019s important to correctly identify the fish. Collection of the carcass can confirm if the fish is a Sockeye or Kokanee using DNA from a scale or analysis of an \u201cotolith,\u201d a small mineral structure in the head. DNA reveals whether it&#8217;s a Kokanee and which run it is from, while the otolith can show us the age, and tell us whether the fish\u2019s mother has been to the ocean! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofishbc.com\/news\/science-research\/methods-we-use-to-age-fish-and-why\/\">Learn more about how otoliths are used from the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-otolith-standard-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-otolith-standard-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-otolith-standard-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-otolith-standard-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-otolith-standard-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-otolith-standard-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-otolith-standard-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-otolith-standard-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-otolith-standard-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Otoliths can be analyzed by looking for bands of slow winter growth. Just like a tree, otoliths grow from the inside out, leaving distinct bands during winter months that can be counted to know the age of the fish.&nbsp;Image adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofishbc.com\/news\/science-research\/methods-we-use-to-age-fish-and-why\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Otolith of a four year old fish<\/a> by Morgan Davies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-white-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#top\">back to top<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fragile\">Fragile Future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While Kokanee are similar to Sockeye, genetically distinct populations like those in Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish have evolved over many generations to suit these environments, making them important members of our ecological community. Our understanding of these mysterious fish is still growing while their population shrinks; Kokanee are on the brink and may be beyond the point of return within 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-300-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-730e34538635fe9c128cd4c9507fecb3\">Challenges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite an amazing run of Kokanee in Lake Sammamish in 2024 (8,000 spawning Kokanee!), the population is declining due to poor fry survival. Young salmon face many challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-runoff-icon.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-726\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-runoff-icon.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-runoff-icon-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-runoff-icon-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-runoff-icon-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-runoff-icon-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-runoff-icon-125x125.jpg 125w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-runoff-icon-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-runoff-icon-400x400.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:85%\">\n<p>Development causes high waterflow in streams during rain, which can wash eggs or alevin downstream before they\u2019re ready. Development also causes more pollution to run into streams, which harms stream life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-animals-icon.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-728\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-animals-icon.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-animals-icon-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-animals-icon-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-animals-icon-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-animals-icon-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-animals-icon-125x125.jpg 125w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-animals-icon-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-animals-icon-400x400.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:85%\">\n<p>Invasive and introduced animals also impact Kokanee. Introduced Yellow perch, Smallmouth bass, native Cutthroat trout and predatory birds prey on young fish, including Kokanee.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-plants-icon.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-729\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-plants-icon.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-plants-icon-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-plants-icon-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-plants-icon-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-plants-icon-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-plants-icon-125x125.jpg 125w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-plants-icon-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-invasive-plants-icon-400x400.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:85%\">\n<p>Even invasive species on land can cause problems- invasive plants like Himalayan Blackberry don\u2019t provide quality habitat like native plants do. Native plants can help keep the water clean, cool, and provide wood and roots for young fish to hide in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-climate-change-icon.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-730\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-climate-change-icon.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-climate-change-icon-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-climate-change-icon-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-climate-change-icon-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-climate-change-icon-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-climate-change-icon-125x125.jpg 125w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-climate-change-icon-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2025\/06\/uwb-cosee-climate-change-icon-400x400.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:85%\">\n<p>Larger challenges like climate change can cause low water levels in streams, limiting spawning habitat. Rising lake temperatures also mean shrinking Kokanee habitat. Kokanee must live deeper in the lake to stay cool as temperatures rise, but shallow enough to have enough oxygen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about the challenges Lake Sammamish Kokanee face in the free 1-hour documentary \u201cSpawning Grounds\u201d below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\n    <div class=\"responsive-embed widescreen\">\n        <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Spawning Grounds: Saving the Little Red Fish\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1ArSwCIUGws?start=2&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>    <\/div>\n\n    \n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-300-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ae2066b4b76f219bc5f72f64b708d112\">Recovery Efforts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The future for our Kokanee is uncertain, but our community, researchers, tribes and governments are working hard to make sure our native Kokanee are here to stay. Together, they formed the <a href=\"https:\/\/kingcounty.gov\/en\/dept\/dnrp\/nature-recreation\/environment-ecology-conservation\/wildlife\/fish-and-shellfish\/kokanee\/kokanee-workgroup#link-members-list\">Lake Sammamish Kokanee Workgroup<\/a> to help identify problems and work on solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One way communities help Kokanee is with restoration projects. These can be invasive plant removal and native planting, or adding logs and replacing culverts (the pipes that we use to move streams under roads). See a local culvert replacement in the 2-minute clip below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\n    <div class=\"responsive-embed widescreen\">\n        <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Old Zackuse Creek culvert replacement project\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eLnF3J0ChY4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>    <\/div>\n\n    \n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way is to help raise young Kokanee in hatcheries (like the Issaquah Hatchery\u2014read a short article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.issaquahfish.org\/bon-voyage-little-kokanee\/\">here<\/a>) or in remote site incubators. These Kokanee are more likely to survive than wild Kokanee, and they can be transported to re-start runs in other streams! Surveys that count fish, collect carcasses, and determine whether the adults came from transported fry help us know what\u2019s working and what\u2019s not. Read about the 2024-25 strategies at \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.issaquahwa.gov\/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=6060\">Return of the Kokanee<\/a>\u201d from the city of Issaquah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Zackuse Creek used to have culverts that made it unusable for fish. The creek had an overhaul\u2014culvert removal (see the video above), channel restoration, and replanting\u2014which made it usable for salmon. Fry were placed in the creek so that they might one day return and spawn as adults. In 2021, the adults returned! Watch them swim in Zackuse Creek for the first time in 40 years below. With more hard work, Kokanee may return to more of the streams they once swam in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\n    <div class=\"responsive-embed widescreen\">\n        <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"First Kokanee Salmon observed in Zackuse Creek in 40+ years!\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bDOgstf1nfI?start=1&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>    <\/div>\n\n    \n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-white-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#top\">back to top<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kokanee in Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, once common, have declined and made a comeback- but their future hangs in the balance. Their story is still being written- read on below! Follow your interests by exploring videos, photos, and writing all about the topics on each sign. Looking for a different page? Click here to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":602,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_is_archived":false,"_archived_contact_email":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-653","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"related_links":{"toggle_visibility":false,"link_1":"","link_2":"","link_3":"","link_4":"","link_5":""},"highlight_box":{"toggle_visibility":false,"title":"","content":"","button":"","button_style":"angled-purple-button","button_screen_reader_text":""},"contact_type_1":{"toggle_visibility":true,"contact_title":"CoSEE","email":"cosee@uw.edu","phone":"","box":"","address_line_1":"14445 Juanita Dr NE","address_line_2":"Kenmore, WA 98028","location":""},"contact_type_2":{"toggle_visibility":false,"contact_title":"","email":"","phone":"","box":"","address_line_1":"","address_line_2":"","location":""},"social_media":{"toggle_visibility":false,"facebook_url":"","instagram_url":"","linkedin_url":"","twitter_url":"","youtube_url":""},"blog_archive_sidebar_visibility":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mysterious Kokanee - Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/mysterious-kokanee\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mysterious Kokanee - Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Kokanee in Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, once common, have declined and made a comeback- but their future hangs in the balance. 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