4.2 Fish Distribution
Distribution of salmonids within the Clisbako River and McFarland Creek watersheds was assessed using single pass electroshocking techniques on randomly selected habitat units. The purpose of this low intensity assessment was to confirm the findings of the FHAP Overview on the Nazko River (Carmanah Research Ltd., 1996) and to check areas in the watershed which had little or no fish data reported. The following presents the results of this assessment. Table is a summary of the fish caugth in each reach for the Clisbako River watershed along with two sections of McFarland Creek..
Table . Fish catch summary by reach for Clisbako River and McFarland Creek.
|
Reach # |
Rainbow Trout Juvenile adult |
Chinook Salmon Juvenile adult |
Whitefish adult |
||
|
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
S |
K |
|
2 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
S |
S |
|
3 |
14 |
0 |
S |
S |
S |
|
4 |
K |
K |
S |
S |
S |
|
5 |
K |
K |
S |
S |
S |
|
6 |
K |
K |
S |
S |
S |
|
7 |
K |
K |
S |
S |
S |
|
8 |
K |
K |
S |
S |
S |
|
9 |
K |
K |
S |
S |
S |
|
10 |
K |
K |
S |
S |
S |
|
McFarland Creek Up to cascade |
0 |
1 |
S |
S |
S |
|
McFarland Creek Above cascade |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
K - Presence noted visually
S - Suspected presence
The Clisbako River was electroshocked for approximately 300 seconds in reaches 1 through 3. Sampling took place in various habitats and was intended to confirm species presence rather than distribution. The results of the sampling confirmed Rainbow trout up to and including reach 3, with visual sightings up to and including reach 10. Chinook presence was confirmed up to an including reach 2. As no barriers were noted, Chinook are believed to be up to a 15 m waterfall located in reach 10. As there was no access above the falls, fish presence could not be confirmed nor denied in reach 11. However, the habitat appears as though it could support resident fish species. Whitefish were also noted visually in reach 1 and are also assumed to be throughout.
McFarland Creek, a tributary of the Clisbako River, was also sampled for fish presence. Electroshocking revealed the presence of rainbow trout up to approximately 570 m upstream. Several other unidentified fish species below 50 mm were observed, however, none were sampled. Fish are believed to be present up to a set of falls in reach 3. Reach 4, just above the cascade, was also sampled with an electrofisher. Sampling took place over a linear distance of 150 m and revealed no fish presence.
These results confirm the findings of the FHAP overview, which suggests resident rainbow trout and chinook salmon are present in reach 1 of Clisbako River. The results of this assessment also confirm a 15 m waterfall in reach 10. This waterfall undoubtedly acts as an upstream migration barrier in reach 10 for all fish species.