The status of the Nanika River Sockeye Rehabilitation Program 1960-1965

The Nanika River, which drains into Morice Lake, is the most valuable sockeye spawning stream in the Bulkley River system. The available data indicate that the pre-1954 escapements ranged within the general magnitude of 20,000 and 70,000 fish annually. Beginning in 1954, however, the population demonstrated an apparent collapse which extended to all cycles. The period of lowest escapement actually totalled 1000 or less sockeye for three consecutive years. It was considered necessary therefore to implement some form of artificial propagation. A hatchery incorporating some of the latest hatchery techniques was chosen as the most suitable method for the artificial propagation of sockeye at Nanika river.