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Inventory of
Freshwater Fish
Beginning in Spring 2026, AITRC will initiate an inventory of harvestable freshwater fish species in lakes and streams within Wrangell–St. Elias National Park (WRST).
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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.
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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.
Why This Work Matters?
Freshwater resident fish play an essential role in sustaining families throughout the Copper Basin. These species provide food during times when salmon may not be available and are an important part of traditional harvest systems.​ However, many lakes and streams within the region lack comprehensive, up-to-date biological inventories. Without this foundational knowledge, it becomes more difficult to:
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Inform management decisions
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Assess habitat conditions
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Track long-term changes
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Support community-based harvest priorities​
Partnership & Co-Stewardship.
AITRC will conduct this work in collaboration with Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and other partners as appropriate. By working together, we aim to ensure that data collection reflects both:
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Community knowledge of important harvest areas
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Rigorous scientific methodology
This project builds upon AITRC’s ongoing fisheries work, including salmon health monitoring, temperature monitoring, and in-season teleconferences, expanding our efforts to include resident freshwater species.
Data Collection & Analysis.
Sonar systems operate continuously throughout the season and record data in ten-minute increments.
For analysis, the first ten minutes of each hour are reviewed to estimate net upstream and downstream movement. Hourly passage is expanded from this subsample and summarized into daily and weekly estimates.
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This information helps managers understand:
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When salmon enter the system
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When peak migration occurs
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How strong each year’s run is
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How many fish reach spawning areas
Sonar operations were paused from 2023 to 2025 due to funding constraints.
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Future monitoring efforts will depend on the availability of sustained funding and equipment necessary to achieve full river coverage.