Species at Suntaheen Creek Fishpass

Visitors can see a diversity of Alaskan wildlife at Suntaheen Creek Fishpass. View this page to learn more about the mammals, birds and fish that inhabit this area.

Fish Person standing at an interpretive sign.

Visitors can see a diversity of salmon at the Suntaheen Creek fishpass throughout the summer and fall. Look for the following species during the appropriate seasons.

The Salmon of Suntaheen

Look for salmon in the creek in mid-summer to late-fall. Spawning salmon dig nests (redds) in the gravel with their tails. Did you know that large pieces of wood play a very important in the life of salmon by providing cover and holding gravel for spawning? Do not disturb spawning salmon. They are providing the next generation of salmon for commercial, sport, and subsistence users, as well as the continued run of fish in the stream.

The Suntaheen Creek fishpass ladder, and another one farther upstream, allow salmon to swim over waterfalls to additional spawning and rearing habitat above the falls. Baffles in the ladders cause water to eddy and swirl, slowing the flow and allowing salmon to swim up and over the barrier.

These fishpasses were constructed by volunteers and several partners, including Alaska Pulp Corporation, Whitestone Logging Inc., Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association.

To increase spawning areas and provide cover for young fish (fry), log weirs and pieces of large woody debris have been placed in the stream. Salmon fry from below the barriers and hatchery-raised fry from a nearby stream were placed above the barriers to "seed" the upper stream.

Adult fish will return to the upper stream after spending 1-3 years in the ocean. Tiny tags with a code unique to this stream were placed in the heads of the fry and their adipose (small, fleshy fin near the fish's tail) was clipped to mark the fish. When these fish are caught as adults and the heads returned to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, we can determine how many fish are produced as a result of this habitat work.

Look for different kinds of adult salmon spawning in the creek. Pink, or humpback, salmon are the first to arrive, usually in June and July. They are the smallest salmon found in Suntaheen Creek. Males can be identified by the prominent hump behind their head. Next to arrive are the chum, or dog, salmon. They get their name from the large "canine" teeth they develop when they return to fresh water. Last to arrive, usually in September or October, are the coho, or silver, salmon. In fresh water, they turn a dark red color. Coho salmon spawn in the upper reaches of streams and are the only salmon expected to swim over the fishpass ladders.

As the salmon spawn, you may see smaller fish darting around the edges of the redd looking for stray eggs. These fish are cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden char. Although Dolly Vardens ("Dollies") look like a trout, they are actually a closely related fish called a char. Dollies sometimes migrate to the ocean and return to spawn in their home stream. Unlike Pacific salmon, Dollies do not die after they spawn and can return to the ocean more than once. Steelhead trout (sea-run rainbow trout), a species which appears to be in decline in Alaska, are also found in the Suntaheen Creek drainage.

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Mammals

Mammals can best be viewed in the early morning or late evening at Suntaheen Creek Fishpass. Be prepared to be patient if you hope to see bears visiting the creek and the fishpass. Remember, all wildlife is WILD! Never approach wild animals and use "bear sense" when travelling on the in bear country. Click on the animal's name to go to an Alaska Department of Fish & Game website to learn more about it.

Bear Sense at Suntaheen Creek Fishpass

  • Visitors much recognize that this is NOT a zoo or a wild animal park where animals and people are safely segregated.
  • When hiking the trail, make your presence known - especially where vegetation or terrain make it hard to see and where the rushing creek is loud. Make noise, sing, talk loudly or carry a bell. If you should encounter a bear on the trail, stop and give the bear plenty of room. Do not run! Running from a bear may trigger it to chase you.
  • Most bears will try to avoid people. If you are approached, slowly back away. If you can't detour around a bear, then back off and wait for it to leave.
  • Do not bring food to the fishpass or feed bears. It is illegal to feed bears in Alaska. "Feeding" includes intentionally leaving food unattended or accessible to bears.
  • Please stay on the trail and on the platform. Leave beaches, streamsides and surrounding areas for the bears. When people occupy the bears' fishing areas or travel ways, they may prevent bears from getting the food that they need to survive the winter.

Birds

American Dipper or Water Ouzel

The dipper is a robin-sized bird that lives along swift streams. Although it's slate-grey plumage is quite modest, dippers have a number of tricks up their sleeves! These little birds are actually able to walk and "fly" underwater! You will see them bobbing along in a fast current, and then, ZWOOP, they disappear from sight. When they return they often have a beak full of small aquatic invertebrates. Dippers are solitary birds and often nest behind waterfalls. They have a beautiful, melodic song. the dipper, or "water ouzel" was John Muir's favorite bird.

American dipper - W. Shuster
 

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Mergansers (Mergus spp.)

Mergansers are streamlined diving ducks that are often spotted in streams and lakes throughout southeast Alaska. Commonly called "fish ducks," they have long, narrow bills with sharply serrated "teeth" along the margin. This specialized bill helps the duck grab slippery salmon fry and smolt - one of their favorite foods. Merganser families often have up to fifteen young!

merganser family on streambank - W. Shuster
 

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Bald eagles are plentiful around the Suntaheen Creek fishpass for much of the year. In fact, there are more bald eagles in Alaska than in all the other states combined!

With their white head and 6.5 - 8 foot wingspan, bald eagles are unmistakeable.

Adult bald eagle
 
 

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