WDFW is conducting the steelhead escapement estimate in the Nisqually River this season from the La Grande Powerhouse to the I-5 bridge. Prior to this season, the Nisqually Tribe conducted aerial counts, with financial assistance from WDFW. This aerial count alone was used to estimate escapement from 1980 to last season. The number of wild winter steelhead estimated to have escaped in 2002 and 2003 (using the historic method) was about 250, and 350, respectively. These low estimates made it necessary to re-evaluate currently methods.

Since late March WDFW staff and Nisqually Tribal staff have been counting steelhead redds from the air and on the ground. The methods used are similar to what is being done in the Green, Sky, and many other costal rivers. The consensus is that this method will give us a better idea of escapement in the Nisqually. The project has received tentative approval for next year but funding is not secure.

The high rate of terminal harvest, often as high as 65%, was sustained by both sport ant treaty fishers for years with no apparent declines. However, beginning in 1989 the number of fish returning to the river began to decline. During the 1980's the sport harvest often exceeded 2000 fish and once was as high as 3000. Not too sure who should get the most blame, but certainly the sport anglers have contributed. Im sure many of the readers of this have pictures of Nisqually wild steelhead at home on the wall.

This years counts are a bit higher than what has been reported by the Nisqually Tribe during the past few years. The escapement goal is 2000 fish and we are nowhere near that as of mid April.
So don't get to excited about an "improvement". It is likely the number has not changed..... just the way they are counted.