This document provides an overview of the Spawner Survey project conducted by the Oregon Adult Salmonid Inventory and Sampling (OASIS) program. The objectives are to monitor and assess natural stocks of salmonids in Oregon coastal streams and the lower Columbia River basin. Surveys are conducted to create population estimates of four salmonid species and improve monitoring methods. Crews are stationed at ODFW and partner field offices to survey lower Columbia and coastal stream basins, identifying species, sex, and taking biological samples of live and dead fish and redds. A typical survey involves using specific gear to count and collect data while walking a designated stream segment.

1. Spawner SurveySpawner Survey
IntroductionIntroduction
Ryan Jacobsen - Oregon Adult Salmonid Inventory and Sampling (OASIS)
Alex Neerman - Lower Columbia Crew Leader
Ben Walczak – Assistant District Fish Biologist (North Willamette Watershed District)

2. Training Objectives
• Review Purpose of the Spawning SurveyReview Purpose of the Spawning Survey
ProgramProgram
• Describe field proceduresDescribe field procedures
– Survey LocationSurvey Location
– Typical SurveyTypical Survey
– Fish IDFish ID

3. Role of Survey Project
• Monitoring and assessment of naturalMonitoring and assessment of natural
stocks of Oregon coastal and L. Columbiastocks of Oregon coastal and L. Columbia
anadromous salmonids.anadromous salmonids.
• Research and development on surveyResearch and development on survey
techniques.techniques.
• Monitoring of adults of four species toMonitoring of adults of four species to
create population estimatescreate population estimates

4. Monitoring Area
• Lower Columbia andLower Columbia and
All Coastal StreamAll Coastal Stream
BasinsBasins
• Four WatershedFour Watershed
DistrictsDistricts
• Seven FisherySeven Fishery
Management DistrictsManagement Districts
• Crews Stationed atCrews Stationed at
ODFW and PartnerODFW and Partner
Field OfficesField Offices

5. The Oregon Plan Requires
Improved Monitoring to provide statistically
rigorous data on the
Status, Trend, and Distribution
of Salmon Populations
Three Main Projects
Habitat - Aquatic Inventories Project (AQI)
Juveniles - Western Oregon Rearing Project (WORP)
Adults - Spawning Surveys Project (OASIS)

6. Survey Location

9. Description of a Typical Survey

10. The basic idea
• Make sure you are on the correct stream and segment (many surveys, but
not all will have signs, use GPS)
• Find your start point and survey upstream to end point
• During the survey count all live and dead fish
• Count all Redds
• Collect all carcasses and take them back to the council office
• Identify species, sex, and take biological samples [scales, snouts]
• Zero data point is valuable
-start and end of season [run timing]
-No fish seen throughout season

13. Survey Gear
• Waders
• Wading Boots (studs)
• Polarized Glasses
• Wading staff/gaffe
• Field Vest
• Forceps
• Measuring Tape
• Scale Cards
• Snout Tabs & Bags
• Serrated Knife
• Cut Gloves
• Machete
• Pencils (multiple)
• Survey Tape & Sharpie
• Field Notebook
• PDA/GPS

14. Without Polarized Sunglasses

15. With Polarized Sunglasses