2018 Alewife Count

Reports for 2018 are listed below, in chronological order

FIRST REPORT

This is the first St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending May 9.  


RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs. A total of 4 river herring were recorded in the trap on May 9. 

Weekly trap reports will be issued Wednesday evenings following the final trap check of 11 PM. 

A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To May 9  # to date  (T = season total)
2017                  0
2016                  0
2015                  0
2014                  0
2013              342
2012              993 

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 133
 

OTHER FISH

No other fish species were recorded as of May 9. 

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SECOND REPORT

This is the second St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending May 16.  
 

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs. 13,029 river during the seven day period of May 10-16 bringing the cumulative year total to 13,033.  

Weekly trap reports will be issued Thursdays following the final trap check of 11 PM each Wednesday evening. 

A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To May 9  # to date  (T = season total)
2017                 369
2016                 125
2015                  16
2014                  7
2013                  704
2012                  1,336 

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 1,397
 

OTHER FISH

Sixty-two white suckers, seven smallmouth bass, and one common shiner were recorded in the trap this week.   These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river.  

 

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THIRD REPORT

This is the third St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending May 23.  

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs. 47,974 river during the seven day period of May 17-23 bringing the cumulative year total to 61,007.

Weekly trap reports will be issued Thursdays following the final trap check of 11 PM each Wednesday evening.

 
A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To May 23  # to date  (T = season total)

2017                 30,315

2016                 394

2015                  142
2014                  23
2013                  882
2012                  23,596

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 9,759

OTHER FISH

Fifteen white suckers, one smallmouth bass, and one brook trout were recorded in the trap this week.   These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river. 

This is the third St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending May 23.  

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs. 47,974 river during the seven day period of May 17-23 bringing the cumulative year total to 61,007.

 

Weekly trap reports will be issued Thursdays following the final trap check of 11 PM each Wednesday evening.

 
A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To May 23  # to date  (T = season total)

2017                 30,315

2016                 394

2015                  142
2014                  23
2013                  882
2012                  23,596

 

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 9,759

OTHER FISH

Fifteen white suckers, one smallmouth bass, and one brook trout were recorded in the trap this week.   These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river. 

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FOURTH REPORT

 

This is the fourth St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending May 30.  

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs.

 

130,537 river herring were recorded using various means during the seven day period of May 24-30 bringing the cumulative year total to 191,544. The trap was emptied each morning at 7am and fish were hand counted until the run exceeded 1,000 fish recorded per hour; fish were then counted on ten minute intervals each half hour during times of heavy run and the trap was closed each evening at 11PM. This is the highest recorded weekly trap count since 1996.

 

Weekly trap reports will be issued Thursdays following the final trap check of 11 PM each Wednesday evening.

 
A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To May 30  # to date  (T = season total)

2018             191,544

2017               74,425

2016               14,698

2015               32,779
2014                      52
2013               11,424
2012               34,786

 

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 23,250

OTHER FISH

Four white suckers, two smallmouth bass, and one brook trout were recorded in the trap this week.   These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river. 

 

Eight American Shad were recorded in the trap this week, an anadromous fish that was first recorded returning to the St. Croix in 2015 having not previously been recorded since 1998. Shad were recorded in the trap at Milltown in both 2015 and 2017; 11 Shad were recorded in 2015 and 54 Shad were recorded in 2017.

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FIFTH REPORT

This is the fifth St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending June 6.  

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs.

 

43,647 river herring were recorded using various means during the seven day period of May 31-June 6 bringing the cumulative year total to 235,191. The trap was emptied each morning at 7am and fish were hand counted until the run exceeded 1000 fish recorded per hour; fish were then counted on ten minute intervals each half hour during times of heavy run and the trap was closed each evening at 11PM.

 

Weekly trap reports will be issued Thursdays following the final trap check of 11 PM each Wednesday evening.

 
A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To June 6  # to date  (T = season total)
2018                235,191

2017                 116,831

2016                 27,479

2015                  49,654
2014                  20,023
2013                  16,531
2012                  35,961

 

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 59,411

OTHER FISH

76 white suckers, 13 smallmouth bass, and two fall fish were recorded in the trap this week.   These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river. 

 

14 American Shad were recorded in the trap this week, an anadromous fish that was first recorded returning to the St. Croix in 2015 having not previously been recorded since 1998. Shad were recorded in the trap at Milltown in both 2015 and 2017; 11 Shad were recorded in 2015 and 54 Shad were recorded in 2017.

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SIXTH REPORT

This is the sixth St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending June 13.  

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs.

 

29,292 river herring were recorded using various means during the seven day period of June 7-13 bringing the cumulative year total to 264,483. The trap was emptied each morning at 7am and fish were hand counted until the run exceeded 1000 fish recorded per hour; fish were then counted on ten minute intervals each half hour during times of heavy run and the trap was closed each evening at 11PM.

 

Weekly trap reports will be issued Thursdays following the final trap check of 11 PM each Wednesday evening.

 
A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To June 13  # to date  (T = season total)
2018                264,483

2017                 144,512

2016                 30,517

2015                  76,804
2014                  26,798
2013                  16,568
2012                  36,158

 

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 42,995

OTHER FISH

Eight white suckers and five smallmouth bass  were recorded in the trap this week.   These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river. 

 

120 American Shad were recorded in the trap this week, an anadromous fish that was first recorded returning to the St. Croix in 2015 having not previously been recorded since 1998. Shad were recorded in the trap at Milltown in both 2015 and 2017; 11 Shad were recorded in 2015 and 54 Shad were recorded in 2017. 124 Shad have been hand counted passing through Milltown as of June 13 2018. This is considered a minimum count as more shad may have passed during times of interval counting.

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SEVENTH REPORT

This is the seventh St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending June 20.  

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs.

7804 river herring were recorded using various means during the seven day period of June 14-June 20 bringing the cumulative year total to 267,584. The trap was emptied each morning at 7am and fish were hand counted until the run exceeded 1000 fish recorded per hour; fish were then counted on ten minute intervals each half hour during times of heavy run and the trap was closed each evening at 11PM.

Weekly trap reports will be issued Thursdays following the final trap check of 11 PM each Wednesday evening.

 
A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To June 20  # to date  (T = season total)
2018                 7804

2017                 8790

2016                 2000

2015                 11,871
2014                 95
2013                  83
2012                  10

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 3067

OTHER FISH

87 white suckers, 20 smallmouth bass, and 2 brook trout were recorded in the trap this week.   These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river. 

 

188 American Shad were recorded in the trap this week, an anadromous fish that was first recorded returning to the St. Croix in 2015 having not previously been recorded since 1998. Shad were recorded in the trap at Milltown in both 2015 and 2017; 11 Shad were recorded in 2015 and 54 Shad were recorded in 2017.

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EIGHTH REPORT

This is the eighth St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending June 27.  

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs.

 

2163 river herring were hand counted during the seven day period of June 21- 27 bringing the cumulative year total to 269,747. The trap was emptied each morning at 7am and fish were hand counted until the run exceeded 1000 fish recorded per hour; fish were then counted on ten minute intervals each half hour during times of heavy run and the trap was closed each evening at 11PM.

 

Weekly trap reports will be issued Thursdays following the final trap check of 11 PM each Wednesday evening.

 
A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To June 27       # to date  (T = season total)
2018                269,747

2017                157,089

2016                32,593

2015                92,492
2014                27,034
2013                16,674
2012                36,168  T

 

 

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 46,898

OTHER FISH

1 smallmouth bass was recorded in the trap this week.   These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river. 

47 American Shad were recorded in the trap this week, an anadromous fish that was first recorded returning to the St. Croix in 2015 having not previously been recorded since 1998. Shad were recorded in the trap at Milltown in both 2015 and 2017; 11 Shad were recorded in 2015 and 54 Shad were recorded in 2017.

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NINTH REPORT

This is the ninth St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending July 4.  

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs.

 

821 river herring were recorded using various means during the seven day period of June 28 to July 4, bringing the cumulative year total to 270,568. The trap was emptied each morning at 7am and fish were hand counted until the run exceeded 1000 fish recorded per hour; fish were then counted on ten minute intervals each half hour during times of heavy run and the trap was closed each evening at 11PM.

 

Weekly trap reports will be issued Thursdays following the final trap check of 11 PM each Wednesday evening.

 
A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To June 20  # to date  (T = season total)
2018                270,568

2017                 157,660

2016                 32,593

2015                  93,308
2014                  27,301
2013                  16,677   T
2012                  36,168   T

 

 

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 47,069

OTHER FISH

1 smallmouth bass, and 1 brook trout were recorded in the trap this week.   These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river. 

 

23 American Shad were recorded in the trap this week, an anadromous fish that was first recorded returning to the St. Croix in 2015 having not previously been recorded since 1998. Shad were recorded in the trap at Milltown in both 2015 and 2017; 11 Shad were recorded in 2015 and 54 Shad were recorded in 2017.

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TENTH REPORT

This is the tenth St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending July 11.  

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs.

 

86 river herring were recorded using various means during the seven day period of July 5 to July 11, bringing the cumulative year total to 270,654. The trap was emptied and fish were hand counted each day at 10am and 4pm. 

 

Weekly trap reports will be issued Thursdays following the final trap check of 11 PM each Wednesday evening.

 
A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To July 11  # to date  (T = season total)
2018                 270654

2017                 157729

2016                 32593 Needs to be checked –missing 2016 data

2015                 93469
2014                 27310 T
2013                  16677 T
2012                  36168 T

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 47094

OTHER FISH

1 smallmouth bass was recorded in the trap this week.   These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river. 

 

No American Shad were recorded in the trap this week, an anadromous fish that was first recorded returning to the St. Croix in 2015 having not previously been recorded since 1998. Shad were recorded in the trap at Milltown in both 2015 and 2017; 11 Shad were recorded in 2015 and 54 Shad were recorded in 2017.

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ELEVENTH REPORT

This is the eleventh and final St. Croix River anadromous fisheries report for 2018, covering fish counts at the Milltown (head-of-tide) fishway for the seven day period ending July 18.  

RIVER HERRING

The Milltown research trap is operated for an 8-12 week period each year to record the run of alewives (or gaspereau) and closely-related blueback herring, collectively called river herring.  Other fish entering the trap are also documented.

The research trap and fishway were activated simultaneously on April 26, 2018 and the trap has been tended daily since.  The first 2018 river herring ascended the fishway on May 9, within a week of the arrival of previous year’s runs.

 

5 river herring were recorded during the seven day period of July 12 to July 18, bringing the cumulative year total to 270,659. The trap was emptied and fish were hand counted each day.  


A comparison of alewife/blueback herring returns to this date with other recent years:
To July 11  # to date  (T = season total)

2018                270659 T

2017                 157750 T

2016                 33016 T

2015                  93503 T
2014                  27310 T
2013                  16677 T
2012                  36168 T

 

 

Ten year (2008-2017) average to this date: 47142

OTHER FISH

No other fish were recorded in the trap this week. These freshwater fish presumably dropped below the dam via open gates into the brackish water below and returned back up the fishway to the river. 

 

No American Shad were recorded in the trap this week, an anadromous fish that was first recorded returning to the St. Croix in 2015 having not previously been recorded since 1998. Shad were recorded in the trap at Milltown in both 2015 and 2017; 11 Shad were recorded in 2015 and 54 Shad were recorded in 2017. 255 shad were recorded in 2018.