We monitor bull trout, Pacific lamprey, steelhead, and Pacific salmon to evaluate the status of populations and assist with conservation efforts.

The mission of the Native Fish Conservation Program is working with others to collect, evaluate, coordinate, and disseminate fisheries information to help conserve native aquatic species and provide science-based management of aquatic resources within the mid-Columbia River region.

Overhead view of 3 snorkellers in river.
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Three snorkellers conduct a survey in the Entiat River.

What we do

We assist with the development and implementation of native fish conservation and restoration plans. Our biologists and technicians use several methods to monitor and evaluate population status, trends, survival, productivity, distribution, and life history characteristics of native aquatic species with an emphasis on bull trout, Pacific lamprey, and other understudied local fish and macroinvertebrates.

A woman in waders and ponytail sits on rocks in a stream with a pile of scientific gear, writing in a notebook.
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Becky Christopherson sits in a stream, recording data.
Bull trout underwater
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Bull trout

Bull trout are a threatened species and are particularly vulnerable to climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.

Learn more about climate change , habitat degradation, non-native species competition, and habitat fragmentation. We monitor the distribution and status of local bull trout populations in order to assess and effectively manage threats and to aid recovery of this species. Techniques we commonly employ to study regional bull trout populations include watershed-scale environmental DNA analysis, night snorkeling capture surveys, and backcountry redd surveys.

A blue-eyed adult Pacific lamprey suckers onto a rock underwater.
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Pacific lamprey

Pacific lamprey are one of the oldest fish species alive today, but their populations are declining due to the damming of rivers and habitat degradation. We evaluate the distribution and migratory behavior of Pacific lamprey in order to better understand their life history and help identify threats to their persistence. Our recent Pacific lamprey research has included raft-based nest surveys, electrofishing surveys, and environmental DNA analysis.

A mussel is held up in someone's hand.
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Native freshwater mussels are studied by the Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office's Native Fish Program.

Native freshwater mussels, Redband Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Mountain Whitefish

Many of our native aquatic species are vulnerable to a variety of threats that impact our local freshwater systems. We work to conserve and monitor many native aquatic species found in the rivers and lakes on the east side of the Cascade Mountains. We are currently using environmental DNA analysis to better understand the distributions of several understudied local aquatic species.

A man in waders, ballcap, and nitrile gloves holds an instrument in a river.
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Evan Lewis, an intern with American Conservation Experience at the time of the photo, collects eDNA samples in the Okanogan River.
A young man in waders with a backpack stands near a waterfall.
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Jose Vazquez on a field survey. Native fish research takes biologists into challenging terrain.

Contact Information

Library

Bull Trout Spawning Ground Surveys in the Entiat River Basin 2021-508.pdf
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Bull Trout Spawning Ground Surveys in the Entiat River Basin 2021-508.pdf

Summary of Bull Trout spawning ground surveys in the Entiat River Basin, Washington during 2021.

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Bull Trout Spawning Ground Surveys in the Entiat River Basin 2022-508.pdf
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Bull Trout Spawning Ground Surveys in the Entiat River Basin 2022-508.pdf

Summary of Bull Trout spawning ground surveys in the Entiat River Basin, Washington during 2022.

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Programs

Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.
Program
Falls Church,VA

Facilities

Person in a blue inflatable kayak on a calm river
Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
The Mid-Columbia Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office provides technical fisheries assistance and cooperates with Service programs; other federal, state, and local agencies; tribes, and various entities to conserve aquatic species and their habitats in the mid- and upper-Columbia River Basin.
Conservation Office
Leavenworth,WA

Latest News

A lamprey is held by two gloved hands above transportation tanks.
Our Partners
Pacific Lamprey in the Columbia Basin
Thanks to Tribal leadership and Service partnership, Pacific lamprey populations are expanding in the Wenatchee River basin.
Underwater photo of a salmon and its reflection above it, next to some sedges.
Endangered Species Act
Spring Chinook at Winthrop National Fish Hatchery
Wild spring Chinook salmon native to the mid-Columbia River are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Our hatchery works with partners to support and supplement the population.