The purpose of the Idaho Steelhead Monitoring & Evaluation Studies (ISMES) is to monitor and evaluate of the status and trends of wild steelhead populations in Idaho.  ISMES is the central repository of information for wild steelhead in Idaho. We will assess abundance, productivity, spatial structure, and diversity at the population and major population group scales. We will also assess abundance, productivity, and diversity for the Snake River Distinct Population Segment based on samples from Lower Granite Dam. To provide DPS-level monitoring, ISMES will continue to sample adult and juvenile steelhead at Lower Granite Dam. We will collaborate with Lower Granite Dam Genetic Stock Identification project (201002600)  to break aggregate abundance estimates and age composition into major population groups and, in some cases, populations. Over time, productivity will be assessed. Intensive monitoring efforts will continue (at Fish Creek, Rapid River and Big Creek) as will coordination and support of other intensive steelhead monitoring work in Idaho. We will estimate adult abundance, length distribution, sex ratio, and age composition; smolt abundance, length structure, and age composition; survival of juveniles from spawning stream to Lower Granite and smolt-to-adult return rate. Current extensive monitoring elements will also continue (dispersed parr surveys to assess spatial structure and stream water temperature monitoring), as are the population-level genetic work. Genetic elements will emphasize maintenance of the genetic baseline used by project 201002600 as well as genetic diversity. Lastly, we will coordinate a multi-agency group to reconstruct the adult steelhead run into the Snake River basin. Project objectives incorporate the mandate from the Idaho Fish Accord to assess the status of wild steelhead in Idaho. The objectives are consistent with the Snake River monitoring and evaluation goals developed by the RPA Workgroup, with the strategies put forth by the Snake River basin fish managers (Anadromous Salmonid Monitoring Strategy, ASMS), and with the guidance from NOAA Fisheries (Crawford and Rumsey 2009).

In 2015,  infrastructure in the Clearwater River formerly operated by the Idaho Supplementation Studies (ISS, 198909800) will be re-directed to enhance B-run steelhead population monitoring consistent with the FCRPS BIOP RPA 50.5 workgroup recommendations and the ASMS through ISMES.  Implementation of the proposed work along with other proposed ISS transition actions should complete the necessary B-run steelhead monitoring for a majority of populations when combined with existing monitoring to fulfill efforts under RPA 50.5.  The plan also maintains PIT tagging of B-run steelhead in the Clearwater MPG to allow calculation of SARs at the MPG scale. In essence, operation of ISS traps located in Crooked Fork Creek, Colt Killed Creek, and Crooked River will now be conducted through ISMES. Additionally, other traps (formerly located in American River, Clear Creek and Red River) will be moved to try to further develop monitoring in the mainstem Lochsa River and in the Selway steelhead population. The movement of the American River and Red River traps is contingent upon the installation of the lower South Fork Clearwater mainstem trap (to be operated by the Nez Perce Tribe, project 201005700); until this installation happens, these two traps will remain in place to ensure integrity of the tagging and monitoring efforts in the South Fork Clearwater drainage.

This statement of work will be organized in accordance with the following objectives:
Objective 1: Monitor status and trends of wild steelhead at Lower Granite Dam. This effort is funded by Idaho Fish Accord monies.
Objective 2:  Conduct intensive, high-precision (fish in, fish out) monitoring of steelhead in Fish Creek (Lochsa population), Rapid River (Little Salmon population), and Big Creek (Lower Middle Fork Salmon population).
Objective 3:  Support and coordinate intensive, high-precision (fish in, fish out) monitoring of wild steelhead at other locations in Idaho. The goal of this work is to collect information where wild steelhead are being passed above hatchery weirs and to maintain/enhance juvenile abundance and tagging efforts (Crooked Fork, Colt Killed Creek [Lochsa population]; American River, Crooked River, Red River [South Fork Clearwater population]).
Objective 4:  Conduct extensive monitoring in selected streams (snorkel surveys and temperature monitoring).
Objective 5: Monitor temporal and spatial genetic patterns of steelhead populations in Idaho.
Objective 6: Account for the spatial distribution and final disposition of all adult steelhead (hatchery and natural production) crossing Lower Granite Dam.

Information regarding this project is publicly and easily accessible from project reports located on the IDFG web site (http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/science/) and searchable using public search engines. Data are available via the Idaho Fish & Wildlife Information System (https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/portal/)