Restoration of Critical Sockeye Habitat on Upper Quinault River Begins

Historically, Quinault River sockeye had more than 55 miles of spawning habitat from the mouth of Lake Quinault to the Olympic National Park border. Today there are fewer than 3 miles of spawning habitat corresponding with a precipitous drop in sockeye populations. Halting the erosion of remaining spawning habitat and creating more is a goal of the Quinault Indian Nation (QIN).

Early Dungeness Crab Landings Good for Tribal Fishermen

The Dungeness crab fishery is one of the economic pillars for coastal tribal fishermen as well as one of the most dangerous. Most of the money is made in November and December when weather conditions can be the worst. A good year means fishermen can buy new gear or get a better boat to improve their effort the following season.

Quinault Indian Nation’s Steelhead Programs Benefit Tribal And Non-Tribal Fishermen

TAHOLAH (April 12,2006) – Marty Figg, Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) hatchery manager, remembers the early days of catching steelhead with a fishing pole to obtain fish eggs to rear for the Lake Quinault Hatchery. “Fishing every day with a pole as part of your job isn’t as romantic as some fishermen might imagine,” Figg said chuckling.

That was 34 years ago, when QIN strived to obtain and rear 30,000 to 40,000 steelhead eggs. Now, hatchery personnel catch the fish with a net and collect more than 500,000 eggs to rear before releasing young fish in the Quinault and Salmon River watersheds. “We are really proud of our returning adults,” said Figg. “We get fish back anywhere from 8 to 30 pounds.”