¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ

Tarleton State University
B.S. Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences
2018

• Andrew Seitz

Johnna grew up in Wasilla, Alaska, where her passion for all things outdoors began at an early age. She earned a B.S. in Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences from Tarleton State University in 2018. During her undergraduate studies, she spent summer breaks working as a technician for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). After seven seasons in the field, and a brief sabbatical, she was hired as a full-time Research Biologist with ADF&G’s Division of Sport Fish in Soldotna. She currently leads several stock assessment projects for Kenai River Chinook salmon. Her Master’s research at UAF focuses on Chinook salmon overwintering ecology, leveraging acoustic telemetry to track early life-stage movement and survival to help preserve Alaska’s vital salmon fisheries. When she isn’t working, Johnna can be found fishing, playing hockey, training her horses, or spending time with her dog and cats. 

Late Season Movement and Overwintering Distribution of Juvenile Chinook Salmon in the Kenai River Using Acoustic Telemetry

My research focuses on the juvenile life history and overwintering ecology of Kenai River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Specifically, I am investigating late-season movement patterns and critical overwintering habitats for young-of-the-year parr to evaluate their use of mainstem reaches, key tributaries, or Skilak and Kenai Lakes. Utilizing an extensive array of submerged and shore-based acoustic receivers, this study will assess prototype acoustic tags designed for small-bodied juvenile fish in subarctic conditions. Identifying critical habitats will provide resource managers with essential information to protect vital aquatic environments along the heavily trafficked Kenai River system.