Oregon / Northern California Area Report, November 2018

Authors: Alan Mauer, Brian Sidlauskas, Marci Schreder, Paul Divine, Justin Miles

Year: 2018

Abstract

The northwestern extreme of the desert region includes several endorheic or terminal lake basins in Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada (Fort Rock, Chewaucan, Goose, Warner, Catlow, Alvord, Malheur, Coyote lakes, and Quinn River). This region supports remnant fish faunas that once inhabited extensive pluvial Pleistocene lakes. Oregon State University is re-evaluating the taxonomy of the Torrent Sculpin (Cottus rhotheus) in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Results suggest that there are two or three species subsumed under the one current name separated along molecular, morphological and geographic lines. The lab is testing whether the very similar Cottus gulosus and Cottus perplexus are actually distinct species in Oregon, and working on a review paper that will highlight and summarize taxonomic needs for the fishes of Oregon. Lake County Umbrella Watershed Council (LCUWC) has designed and planned three conservation projects benefitting Warner Sucker and Redband Trout in the Warner basin, and three fish passage projects in the Goose Lake Basin that will benefit nine native Goose lake fishes. Several partner organizations and agencies have formed a “Warner Basin Aquatic Habitat Partnership” with the council to develop fish passage solutions for Warner Suckers, Redband Trout, and other aquatic life. The Western Native Trout Initiative has developed a portfolio of projects, including Warner basin projects, to use in advocating conservation to potential supporters. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) completed projects in Pine Creek and Eagle Lake of northeast California for the conservation and management of Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout (ELRT), a native Rainbow Trout subspecies. Currently, CDFW is reestablishing natural production and assessing genetic integrity, while supplementing with hatchery reared Rainbow Trout. CDFW also collected genetic samples for genetic analysis and inbreeding within ELRT and evaluation of the level of genetic distinctiveness of extant populations. CDFW used video to document upstream spawning migrations in Pine Creek. CDFW assessed Brook Trout distribution in Pine Creek to plan Brook Trout removal. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) provided updated information on Redband Trout surveys conducted in the Warner and Abert lakes basins. ODFW also facilitated the capture and transfer of several Foskett Speckled Dace to the High Desert Museum for an educational display. These fish are in addition to eleven Warner Suckers that ODFW provided to the museum in 2016. BLM conducted a habitat enhancement project at Foskett Spring. Management actions and a commitment to conservation were conducive to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to propose delisting the Foskett Speckled Dace from the ESA list. The public comment period for the proposed delisting has concluded and a final decision will be published December to early January. ODFW conducted population estimate of Borax Lake Chub in 2016 and 2017 and observed a rather large population change (low of 1,200 fish in 2016 to 78,000 fish in 2017). The US Fish and Wildlife Service is also proposing to delist the Borax Lake Chub, from the ESA list. The proposal will publish with an open public comment period mid-October.