Research Document - 2004/51

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolt production estimates and biological characteristics from tributaries and the Restigouche River, 2002 and 2003

By Chaput, G., Arsenault, M., Benwell, I., Cameron, P., Connell, C., Mathews, M., Listiguj First Nation

Abstract

This document presents the results of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolt monitoring programs in the Kedgwick River, Little Main Restigouche River and in the main stem of the Restigouche River in 2002 and 2003. The objective of the studies was to estimate the annual smolt production from the tributaries and for the entire Restigouche River. Run-timing of smolts from the Kedgwick River, the Little Main River and in the lower portion of the river was similar and attributable to the quick migration of smolts from the upper tributaries. Smolts from the Restigouche River were 12.5 to 13.0 cm fork length. Smolt production rate from the Kedgwick River in 2003 was about 4 smolts per 100 m². The smolt production estimate for the Restigouche River overall in 2003 was estimated at 403,000 fish or 1.4 smolts per 100 m². There is a large migration of one-year old parr in the spring out of the Kedgwick River and the Little Main Restigouche River, presumably to the main stem of the Restigouche River. There were diverse and dynamic movements of lamprey, eel, blacknose dace and stickleback at the tributaries and the main stem of the river. The rotary screw trap technology has demonstrated its utility in monitoring Atlantic salmon smolts and parr as well as the diversity of other species present and migrating in the Restigouche River in the spring.

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