Summary Description: Determine status, life history, genetic, habitat needs, and limiting factors for bull trout populations in the Deschutes, Hood, Grande Ronde, John Day, and Umatilla basins. Develop and implement a protection and recovery plan.

Background: Columbia and Klamath basin populations of bull trout were listed as "threatened" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act June 10, 1998. It is estimated that bull trout occupy only 36% of their former range south of the Canadian border. Over 78 percent of the historic bull trout populations in the proposed study subbasins are classified as having a moderate or high risk of extinction or are probably extinct . Bull trout numbers have been severely impacted by harvest pressure, habitat degradation, passage barriers and interactions with exotic species. Past and current efforts to assess, protect and restore existing bull trout populations have been limited by the lack of basic information about bull trout ecology, life history and genetics. This project will collect the necessary life history and population distribution data to develop an efficient rehabilitation plan to enhance or maintain these populations..

Milestones: Project initiated in late 1994. Beginning phases of the project included several cooperative meetings with local basin bull trout working groups comprised of Tribes, Utilities, Landowners, USFS, USFWS, BLM, and ODFW. Matching cost-share funding from permanent positions and capital will be provided by ODFW, USFS, PGE, and the Warm Springs and Umatilla tribes. A Steering Committee with representatives of BPA, ODFW, Tribes, USFS, USFWS and Native Fish Society will meet annually to technically review the project. Contract 1997AP36207 for $3,900 was complerted and closed by 1998. Contract 1997AP36827 for equipment ($1,279) was completed and closed by 1998. Contract 1997AD36072 for equipment ($6,910) was completed and closed by 1998. Contract 1998AD01918 for radio tags totaling $12,758 was issued in 1998 and closed in 1999. Accomplishments: 1996 Completed sampling and DNA analysis of 46 populations of bull trout in Oregon, Washington and Idaho to describe genetic structure of bull trout populations. Collected summer temperature data from streams which contain bull trout and brook trout. Completed multiple pass spawning surveys of 3 streams, 3 exploratory surveys. 1997 Conducted distribution and habitat surveys of 17 streams with sympatric populations of bull trout and brook trout (began in 1996). Conducted radio telemetry study of movements and habitat use of bull trout juveniles and adults. Collected summer temperature data from streams which contain bull trout and brook trout. Completed multiple pass spawning surveys of 3 streams, 2 exploratory surveys. Completed statewide bull trout distribution maps (entered into GIS system). 1998 Completed fieldwork portion of enclosure study of bull trout/brook trout .nteractions, growth and feeding behavior. Conducted radio telemetry study of movements and habitat use of bull trout juveniles and adults. Collected of summer temperature data from streams which contain bull trout and brook trout (ongoing). Conducted adult and juvenile movement studies in upper John Day and Walla Walla subbasins(ongoing). Completed multiple pass spawning surveys of 3 streams, spawner population estimate of 1 stream, 1 exploratory survey(ongoing). Completed thermal videography of Wenaha River (Grande Ronde subbasin).

Results: 1. We non-lethally sampled 46 bull trout populations for nuclear DNA analysis. These samples have been analyzed and the results are included in the 1996 annual report and in a special genetics report (Spruell and Allendorf, 1997) and has been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal (Spruell et al.). 2. Current and historical bull trout distribution data and status of current populations were compiled for Oregon's portion of the Columbia River system. A statewide status report on Oregon's bull trout was published in 1997 and distribution data were entered into ODFW Geographical Information System (GIS) bull trout database (Buchanan et al., 1997). 3. We conducted distribution and habitat surveys and sampled for the incidence of bull trout/brook trout hybrids in 17 streams with sympatric populations of brook trout and bull trout (1996 and continuing). Data summary and analysis was reported in the 1996 and 1997 annual report, the 1998 meeting of the Oregon chapter American Fisheries Society and the 1998 Salvelinus confluentus Curiosity Society Workshop. 4. Collected three years of summer temperature data from streams with sympatric bull trout and brook trout populations (1996-1998 and continuing). 5. Collected three years of bull trout spawning data. This included intensive and extensive surveys of three selected watersheds to examine some of the assumptions inherent in spawning surveys (1996-98, continuing). Single exploratory surveys were also made to identify previously undocumented spawning areas. (Bellerud et al., 1997) 6. We radio-tagged and monitored movement of 80 adult and 90 juvenile bull trout in the Grande Ronde, Walla Walla and John Day subbasins 1997 and 1998 (continuing). 7. We determined a relationship between observed injuries and fish size in bull trout captured by electrofishing (Hemmingsen et al. 1996). These data were incidental to efforts for collection of samples for DNA analysis. 8. We collected data in 1997 and 1998 to describe the species composition of macroinvertebrates available to and consumed by both sympatric and allopatric bull trout and non-native brook trout in 2 streams within different subbasins. 9. We conducted an experiment during the summers of 1997 and 1998 to determine the effect of brook trout on the foraging behavior of bull trout. This information will be published in a Master's thesis at Oregon State University and in refereed journals. 10. We operated upstream and downstream traps in the John Day and Walla Walla subbasins.

Publications:

Publication Title	Report Type	Coverage Years	Published	Pages	DOE/BP Number
Migratory Patterns, Structure, Abundance, and Status of Bull Trout Populations from Subbasins in the Columbia Plateau	Annual	2001 - 2002	May 2003		00004101-2 R 221
Bull Trout Distribution and Abundance on and Bordering the Warm Spring Reservation	Annual	2002 - 2002	Mar 2003		00006212-1 R 208
Bull Trout Life History, Genetics, Habitat Needs, and Limiting Factors in Central and Northeast Oregon	Annual	2000 - 2001	Dec 2002		00004101-1 R 202
Bull Trout Distribution and Abundance in the Waters on and Bordering the Warm Springs Reservation	Annual	2001 - 2001	Jan 2002		00000479-2 R 178
Bull Trout Life History, Genetics, Habitat Needs, and Limiting Factors in Central and Northeast Oregon	Annual	2000 - 2000	Nov 2001		34342-4 R 169
Bull Trout Life History, Genetics, Habitat Needs, and Limiting Factors in Central and Northeast Oregon	Annual	1999 - 1999	Aug 2001		34342-3 R 165
Bull Trout Life History, Genetics, Habitat Needs, and Limiting Factors in Central and Northeast Oregon	Annual	1998 - 1998	Mar 2001		00000228-2 R 159
Bull Trout Distribution and Abundance in the Waters on and Bordering the Warm Springs Reservation	Annual	2000 - 2000	Jan 2001		00000479-1 R 160
Status of Oregon's Bull Trout Distribution, Life History, Limiting Factors, Management Considerations, and Status	Technical	1997 - 1997	Oct 1997		34342-5 R 170
Bull Trout Life History, Genetics, Habitat Needs, and Limiting Factors in Central and Northeast Oregon	Annual	1995 - 1995	Mar 1996		34342-1 R 111

Project Classification Keys:
Primary: All projects in the Resident Fish Program
Secondary: Research, evaluation, and studies
Tertiary: Primarily studies of either whole life cycles or several phaseses thereof

Work Sites

Site/Subsite Names	Site Type	Types of Work Performed
ANDERSON CREEK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
BEAR CREEK (JOHN DAY)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
BIG SHEEP CREEK (IMNAHA)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
CATHERINE CREEK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
CLEAR BRANCH CREEK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
CLEAR CREEK (GRANDE RONDE)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
EAGLE CREEK (POWDER RIVER)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
EAST PINE CREEK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
ELK CREEK (PINE CREEK)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
GRANITE BOULDER CREEK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
HURRICANE CREEK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
IMNAHA RIVER/UPPER	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
INDIAN CREEK (GRANDE RONDE)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
INDIAN CREEK (N POWDER)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
JOHN DAY RIVER, NORTH FORK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
JOHN DAY RIVER, UPPER MAINSTEM/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
LAKE CREEK (UPPER POWDER)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
LIMBER JIM CREEK/	Riparian zone	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
LITTLE CRACKER CREEK (UPPER POWDER)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
LITTLE MINAM RIVER/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
LOOKINGGLASS CREEK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
LOSTINE RIVER/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
MALHEUR RIVER, NORTH FORK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
MALHEUR RIVER, SOUTH FORK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
MCCULLY CREEK (IMNAHA)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
MCKENZIE RIVER, SOUTH FORK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
MEADOW CREEK (PINE CREEK)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
METOLIUS RIVER/	Reservoir (incl. lakes, ponds,etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
MINAM RIVER/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
ODELL LAKE/	Reservoir (incl. lakes, ponds,etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
PINE CREEK, MIDDLE FORK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
SHITIKE CREEK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
SILVER CREEK (UPPER POWDER)/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
UMATILLA RIVER, NORTH FORK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
UMATILLA RIVER, SOUTH FORK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
WALLA WALLA RIVER, NORTH FORK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
WALLA WALLA RIVER, SOUTH FORK/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
WARM SPRINGS RIVER/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
WENAHA RIVER/	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate

Project Budget and Obligation:

Fiscal Year	Initially Authorized	Latest Authorized	Authorized Change	Obligation In Process	Bonneville Overhead	Contracted Obligation	Contracted Agent
1994	$0	$75,300	$75,300	$0	$0	$75,300	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1995	$75,300	$81,802	$6,502	$0	$0	$81,802	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1996	$250,000	$245,742	$-4,258	$0	$0	$15,300	ONSET COMPUTER CORP
1996				$0	$0	$228,802	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1997	$239,000	$240,968	$1,968	$0	$0	$6,910	ADVANCED TELEMETRY SYSTEMS INC
1997				$0	$0	$3,900	FORESTRY SUPPLIERS
1997				$0	$0	$228,878	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1997				$0	$0	$1,280	OS SYSTEMS INC
1998	$325,000	$322,342	$-2,658	$0	$0	$12,758	ADVANCED TELEMETRY SYSTEMS INC
1998				$0	$0	$6,130	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1998				$0	$0	$245,907	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1998				$0	$0	$57,547	WARM SPRINGS TRIBES
1999	$342,175	$351,890	$9,715	$342,890	$0	$9,000	WARM SPRINGS TRIBES
Totals:	$1,231,475	$1,318,044	$86,569	$342,890	$0	$973,514	.