Fisheries Department
We strive to serve the Tahltan Nation through the protection of fish and aquatic habitats in our territory, based on the traditional and contemporary Tahltan values. Our field staff are at the heart of this department.
Their dedication to our fish and our land, and to fulfilling their duties and sharing their knowledge in their various roles, is what makes successful management possible.
Our primary services include salmon management, stock assessment, fishery monitoring, salmon enhancement, fish access improvement, hydrology, outreach, education and training, and last year’s addition of the Salmon Welcoming Ceremony.
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Updates
In 2025 the Stikine River watershed saw a terminal (or final) estimated run size of 15,172 which was a significant increase from the 2024 run size estimate of 8,000-9,000 large Chinook. The 2026 pre-season forecast is for 16,700 large Chinook, which is above the 10-year average of 11,300 – but is still below the Management Objective of 17,400. The Stikine River Chinook stocks continue to remain concerning to the Tahltan Nation and is of international concern for both Canada and the US. Although we are seeing some promising improvement, both Canada and the United States are continuing to take serious management measures and actions to avoid the harvest of Pacific Chinook salmon, which include:
- No directed commercial or assessment fishery
- Non-retention of all Chinook (dead or alive)
- The full angling closure of the Tahltan River from the confluence of the Stikine up
- Delaying the US subsistence Sockeye fishery
- Delaying the start of the Canada/US Sockeye commercial openings
- Delaying the opening of our First Nation fisheries to minimize the incidental catches of chinook
The current Treaty is on a 10-year term and therefore set to expire at the end of 2028. Under the current challenging CAN/US and International political climate, both Parties nor the Commission have received formal mandates to officially start negotiating. However, it appears we are in line to obtain approval, and meanwhile each side can prepare and do their homework. In this regard, the CAN section of the TBR Panel spent significant unilateral time during the meetings this winter to confidentially discuss priority negotiation topics. Our TCGFD representatives developed and delivered specific discussion notes (to the CAN TBR Panel section only) regarding TCG interests and approaches for negotiations, to inform the future development of a first CAN position paper in PST TBR Chapter 1 language.
2026 Sockeye Salmon Run Forecasts
Tahltan Lake Sockeye
Escapement Goal Range: 11,000 – 25,000
Management Objective: 22,600
2026 Terminal Tahltan Run Forecast: 123,000
Tahltan Wild: 80,000
Tahltan Enhanced: 43,000
10 Year Average – 112,000
Mainstem Sockeye
Escapement Goal Range: 13,000 – 33,000
Management Objective: 21,000
2026 Terminal Run Forecast: 60,000
10 Year Average – 38,000
Total Combined Stikine Sockeye Salmon Run Forecast – 183,000
Latest Data
Chinook
| Assessment Program | Anticipated Operating Dates | Count to Date | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook & Coho CWT | Apr 16 to May 31 | Coho: 2780; Chinook: 12459; last valid release day: May 27 | Coho: 2024: 4,676; 2025: 4,914; Chinook: 2024: 10,005; 2025: 10,709; Note: CDN release only | |
| Chinook Marking Program (Kalwan) | May 5 to Aug 15 | 7.25" mesh: 176 large Chinook; 26 non-large Chinook; 5.125" mesh: 73 large Chinook; 29 non-large Chinook | Last day for 7" mesh: July 10; Last day: Aug 15 | |
| Little Tahltan Chinook Enumeration | July 4 to Aug 16 | Large: 924; Medium: 507; Small: 623 (as of Aug 14 8am) | Weir installation completed Saturday July 4th at 1740; Weir ceased: Aug 14 8:00am | |
| Chinook Aerial Surveys | July 30 to Aug 4 | Beatty Creek: 40 live; Little Tahltan: 357 live; Tahltan River: 358 live; Christina Creek: 16 live; Verrett River: 114 live | July 30th |
Sockeye
| Assessment Program | Anticipated Operating Dates | Count to Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tahltan Lake Smolt Enumeration | May 1 to June 15 | Final count: 844,406 | weir in: May 5; ice out: May 13; Last day of operation: June 14 |
| Assessment Program (Lower Stikine) | June 14 to Aug 22 | Set net catch: 659; Drift net catch: 319 (as of EOD Aug 19) | Started June 14. |
| Tahltan Lake Salmon Enumeration | July 8 to Sept 5 | 46,009 (as of EOD Aug 19) | weir operational July 10; First fish on July 18 |
| Sockeye Aerial Surveys | Sept 12 | ||
| Commercial Fishery | June 28 start | Lower: 20,447; Upper: 120 | As of July 30 |
Coho
| Assessment Program | Anticipated Operating Dates | Count to Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coho Assessment Options | Aug 23 to Oct 7 | N/A | |
| Coho Aerial Surveys | Nov 1 to Nov 3 | ||
| Commercial Fishery | Aug 23 to Sept 10 | N/A |
