Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) are listed as a State of Oregon sensitive species. Both are focal species of this Resident Fish Program and are the principal drivers into our investigations of native salmonid life history in the Malheur River Basin.   Project focus in 2012 will include the annual participation of bull trout redd count surveys, the final planned year of redband distribution and abundance research (with changes to size of sample frame in order to produce tighter abundance estimates), and operation of a weir to remove non-native brook trout which out-compete and hybridize with bull trout.  Brook trout have been identified as a primary threat/impediment to Bull Trout recovery by regional biologists from the Forest Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Brook trout are also identified as a major threat/primary limiting factor by the USFWS Recovery Plan.
  
Bull trout redd surveys are completed yearly to monitor long-term population trends.  Currently, this is the only assessment of bull trout population trends in the Malheur River Basin, and is highly collaborative project between regional state and federal entities.  Redband distribution and abundance field surveys will provide needed information on the variability of native redband numbers and their associated habitats.  Operation of a weir in the headwaters of the Malheur will serve a dual purpose: active removal of non-native brook trout to encourage local Bull trout recovery, as well as a PIT-tagging station for bull trout.  PIT-tagging of bull trout will allow a more robust assessment of both population abundance and movement, and determination of habitat restoration priorities on Forest Service and Tribal lands.  Information gathered will be incorporated into the Northwest Power and Conservation Council Fish and Wildlife Program and shall provide policy personnel better defined biological objectives for native fish in the Malheur Subbasin/Middle Snake Province.