Inventory of Freshwater Fish

Beginning in Spring 2026, AITRC initiated an inventory of harvestable freshwater fish species in lakes and streams within Wrangell–St. Elias National Park (WRST).

This effort represents an important step in strengthening our understanding of resident fish populations across the Ahtna Territory. While salmon monitoring has long been a focus of regional research, freshwater resident species are also vital to subsistence harvest, food security, and cultural continuity.

This project will help establish baseline information about species presence, distribution, and habitat conditions in key water bodies within WRST. By identifying what species are present and where they occur, AITRC will help fill critical data gaps that support long-term stewardship and co-management.

Funded by the National Park Service in partnership with Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve

Why This Work Matters?

Freshwater fish play an essential role in sustaining families throughout the Copper Basin, providing an important food source during times when salmon may not be available and supporting traditional harvest systems. However, many lakes and streams across Ahtna Territory have limited or outdated information about their freshwater fish populations. Through the Inventory of Freshwater Fish, we are gathering baseline information about which species are present, their abundance, and the sizes of fish being encountered. Building this foundational knowledge helps inform management decisions, assess habitat conditions, track changes over time, and support community-based harvest priorities.

What Are We Looking For?

The project is designed to identify harvestable freshwater fish species and collect basic biological information about the fish found in each lake. During surveys, crews document the species and size of each fish captured. These measurements are used to develop length-frequency information, which helps describe the size structure of fish populations and allows researchers to compare which species and sizes are found among different lakes.

Crews also record sampling effort so that catch per unit effort (CPUE) can be calculated. CPUE provides a standardized way to compare catches among lakes, even when the amount of time or effort spent sampling differs.

Together, these data provide a clearer picture of freshwater fish populations across the lakes being surveyed. The information will be added to a larger database to help inform subsistence users about the current status of fish populations in nearby lakes and strengthen our understanding of freshwater resources within the region.

2026 Field Season.

During the 2026 field season, crews are working to sample 10 lakes. Many of these locations are remote, requiring crews to travel by ATV/ORV, floatplane, or on foot and camp near sampling sites while surveys are completed.

Methods used.

Baited Hoop Traps

Baited hoop traps are placed in the water and left to fish for a set period of time. Fish enter through funnel-shaped openings while investigating the bait and remain inside until crews return. Hoop traps are particularly useful for sampling bottom-oriented and bait-attracted fish, such as burbot and some other freshwater species. Fish can then be identified, measured, and released when appropriate.

Because different species have different behaviors, habitats, and feeding strategies, no single sampling method is equally effective for every fish species. Using hoop traps and rod & reel together helps crews document a broader range of the fish community and build a more complete inventory of each lake.

Looking forward.

This project is designed to establish more than a list of fish species. The information collected creates a baseline for understanding freshwater fish resources across Ahtna Territory.

As additional lakes are surveyed and information accumulates over time, these data can help AITRC and its partners better understand the distribution and condition of resident fish populations, identify areas where additional research may be needed, and recognize changes that could affect subsistence resources.

Ultimately, strengthening knowledge of freshwater fish populations supports informed management, food security, subsistence harvest, and long-term Tribal stewardship of fish and aquatic ecosystems.