Chinook in the Okanagan
The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) is aware of increasing reports of Chinook Salmon encounters throughout Okanagan valley lakes, including confirmed catches of sub-adult Chinook Salmon in Okanagan Lake. These fish smay be encountered throughout the Okanagan valley, including Osoyoos, Vaseux, Skaha, Okanagan, Kalamalka and Wood lakes, and the Okanagan River. Some of the fish originate from a stock rebuilding program that is part of the ONA’s ongoing commitment and responsibility for restoring this endangered species throughout Syilx territory.
Chinook in the Columbia
Since March 2022, there have been confirmed catches of sub-adult/juvenile chinook salmon in the eastern portion of Syilx territory — including in the Lower Arrow Lakes, on the Columbia River down river from the Keenleyside Dam and in the Waneta area.
The Okanagan Nation Alliance is calling all anglers and fishing groups to support our efforts in tracking these adult and sub-adult/juvenile chinook salmon in the Columbia region. If you catch a chinook the following information is requested: size (fork length), and location of capture (GPS coordinates ideal), along with photo documentation.
Identification
Both adult and sub-adult/juvenile Chinook are uniquely distinguished from trout and other salmon by their darkened, or black gums and heavy spotting (fuzzy “x” shapes above lateral line on back), black spots on upper and lower tail, and “vee” shaped tail. Hatchery Chinook from the stock rebuilding program have a missing adipose fin. Sub-adults may be encountered throughout the watershed at any time of the year and are approximately 25-35 cm in length.
We are encouraging all anglers that encounter a Chinook to minimize handling and to release them unharmed. If you happen to keep a Chinook, they may contain a small wire tag (PIT tag) approx. 12 mm in length to track their behavior and survival.
Please contact the ONA to submit PIT tags or report Chinook encounters.
Okanagan-Columbia Chinook Salmon Angler Program (2 pgs)For more information or to submit Chinook catch or encounter information, please contact:
Elinor McGrath, Fisheries Biologist
250-707-0095 ext. 102.