My Master's research at Utah State University was part of a project studying the recovery of the federally endangered Snake River sockeye salmon.

The Snake River sockeye salmon migrate over 1,400 Km from their rearing grounds in the Sawtooth Valley (central Idaho) to the ocean and back again. This long journey requires extensive energy. My research focused on the winter ecology of young salmon in their rearing lakes.

I found that winter conditions may limit the growth of sockeye salmon through the combined effects of low prey abundance, reduced light penetration from snow and ice, and from predator avoidance.  There was, however, annual variation in the growth of salmon over the winter.  During poor years, salmon were more active than in winters with more food, presumably to defend their dwindling energy reserves.

Salmon research pictures

Smallmouth Bass

Round Whitefish

Sockeye Salmon

Other research