Coded Wire Tag Recoveries for Salmon and Steelhead

Over 30 columns detail the release and recovery of tagged salmon and steelhead, including Release Site, Recovery Date, and Tag Code. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife manages this dataset for tracking fish populations. Data is updated regularly, with the last update recorded in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Analyze survival rates by comparing Brood Year, Release Date, and Recovery Date across different Release Agencies.
• Model migration timing and success using Recovery Date, Return Year, and Recovery Gear Type for specific Stock Names.
• Assess hatchery program performance by correlating Rearing Hatchery, Release Run, and Maturity with Tag Result.
• Investigate spatial distribution of recoveries by analyzing Release Site and Recovery Gear Type for different Fisher Types.
• Study demographic factors by examining Sex and Maturity data in relation to Return Year and Stock Name.

Strengths

• Dataset contains over 30 detailed columns per record, including temporal, spatial, and biological attributes.
• Includes timestamps for data verification (Verified Date) and system updates (LastUpdateDate).
• Covers multiple data collection stages from release (First Release Date) to recovery (Recovery Date).

Limitations

• Sample size and total row count are unknown, limiting statistical reliability assessments.
• Preliminary data is marked as unverified and subject to change, introducing potential uncertainty.
• Geographic coverage is implied but not explicitly defined, potentially limiting spatial analysis scope.

Provenance

Source

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), provided via data.wa.gov.

Collection Method

Collected through coded wire tag (CWT) programs, involving the tagging of fish at hatcheries and recovery from fisheries or spawning grounds.

Time Range

Temporal coverage is implied through columns like Brood Year, Release Date, and Recovery Date, but specific range is unknown.

Freshness

Last updated on 2026-04-03, indicating active maintenance.

Geography

Spatial coverage is focused on Washington State waters and hatcheries, as indicated by the managing agency (WDFW) and Release Site column.