Download Christina Lake—Fish Species - Christina Lake Stewardship Society

Issue 1
Christina Lake Stewardship Society (CLSS)
Summer 2009
CHRISTINA LAKE—FISH SPECIES
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
“FISH
Local Anglers
1
Luring Tidbits —
Throughout Issue
Confirmed Fish
Unconfirmed Fish
2
6
Stocking Records
10
History —Commercial
Fishery
11
CLSS — About Us
Fun Fish Facts — Did
You Know?
12
12
INHABITING OUR LAKES AND STREAMS PLAY AN
IN THE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM—AS BIOINDICATORS,
PROVIDES US WITH TANGIBLE EVIDENCE ABOUT THE
ECOSYSTEM IN WHICH THEY LIVE”.
CONSERVATION DA
Christina Lake and the surrounding area is beautiful! Residents
love the quality of life that the
area provides. Tourists enjoy its
pristine qualities and bountiful
outdoor recreational opportunities. The environmental qualities
that have drawn us all here can
be maintained with environmental awareness and proper
land use planning with a stewardship ethic. This bulletin has
been developed to help you
learn more about just one component that is valuable within our
watershed—FISH! Firstly, Christina Lake is a warm water lake
that hosts a wide range of fish
species. Currently 19 species
are confirmed to be present and
14 may also occur in the lake as
they are present in connecting
tributaries and the Kettle River
system.
Many species have
been introduced over the last
century and naturalized. Of the
19 confirmed species, 10 have
been introduced and 3 introduced via early government
stocking programs. Historically,
IMPORTANT ROLE
FISH HEALTH
HEALTH OF THE
TA
CENTRE (2000)
Christina Lake had indigenous Rainbow Trout and Kokanee. However, subsequent
stocking of these species from
other gene pools (such as the
Lardeau River Rainbow Trout)
means that what is left of the
indigenous populations today
in Christina Lake is unknown.
It is also unknown at this time
the status of introduced
(exotic) species and the possible impacts that these species
may have on native fish populations. Read 0n!
You’re Not The Only
One Who Loves Fish!
River Otter—Bob Freeman
Kokanee—Brenda LaCroix
Kokanee—B.C. Ministry of Environment
LOCAL ANGLERS
Send us your
fish and wildlife
digital
photographs. All species need to be
documented.
Submit your historical pictures
and
stories.
Your
picture/s
may be used in
our next educational
publication.
Page 2
Christina Lake—Fish Species
CHRISTINA LAKE CONFIRMED FISH SPECIES
The following information was collected during the Christina Lake Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory Survey
(Aquatic Resources Limited Report Number 335-1, 2000) with components compiled from the Ministry of
Environment (Fish Data Warehouse, 2009) as well as resident angler confirmation. (Pages 2 to 9)
Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas)
Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus)
Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Late Spring.
Habitat: Rarely found in clear running water and prefer ponds, sloughs and backwaters.
Food Source: Aquatic plants and insects.
Potential Impacts: Food web competitors.
Photo Credits: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (D. Watkinson)
Bridgelip Sucker (Catostomus columbianus)
Brook Trout (Eastern) (Salvelinus fontinalis)
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Late Spring.
Habitat: Species inhabits lakes and rivers—in
backwaters and edges of the main current with
sandy or muddy substrates.
Food Source: Aquatic plants and insects.
Photo Credit: Royal B.C. Museum
Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Late Summer / Early Fall.
Habitat: Lakes and streams.
Food Source: Piscivorous (fish) and insects.
Potential Impacts: Food web competitors.
Photo Credit: B.C. Ministry of Environment
Burbot (Lota lota)
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Winter (Nocturnal).
Habitat: Common in the (bottom) colder parts of lakes, rivers and streams.
Food Source: Piscivorous (fish).
Comment: Currently the status of Burbot in Christina Lake is unknown.
Photo Credit: B.C. Ministry of Environment
In the early 1900’s, fishing for
Burbot (Lota lota) was done to
some degree on a commercial
basis. There was a market for
Burbot as they were caught
later in the year than Kokanee
(Oncorhynchus nerka).
The
main method for catching
them was to use setlines ranging from 200 feet (60 meters)
to a mile long (1600 meters).
Local anglers have indicated
that the population of this species has declined drastically
over the years.
Page 3
Christina Lake—Fish Species
CHRISTINA LAKE CONFIRMED FISH SPECIES
•
•
•
•
•
Carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio)
Kokanee
(Oncorhynchus nerka)
Introduced Species
Native and Introduced Species
Spawning Time: Late Spring / Early
Summer.
Habitat: Most commonly inhabit shallow areas of lakes and streams.
Food Source: Forages for benthic
crustaceans, aquatic insects, worms,
algae and plant material.
Potential Impacts: Food web competitors.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons—
Cyprinus carpio
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Late Spring / Early
Summer.
Habitat: Clear vegetated lakes, ponds,
swamps, and backwaters and pools of
creeks and rivers—prefers quiet, clear
water and over grown banks.
Food Source: Mainly piscivorous
(fish), crayfish, frogs, crustaceans,
and insects.
Potential Impacts: Food web competitors — may have negative impacts on
native fish species.
Comments:
Widely
distributed
throughout North America and globally. Several countries report adverse
ecological impacts after introduction.
Photo Credit: Fisheries and Oceans
Canada (D. Southgate)
•
•
Spawning Time (Stream): Late Summer / Early Fall.
Where: Sandner, McRae, and Sutherland Creeks.
Spawning Time (Lake): Mid December to Late January (lake
temperature and ice cover dictate time of spawning).
Where: Along the shoreline of Christina Lake where substrate
materials are indicative of Kokanee spawning material (gravel
and small cobbles). Area maps are available of these sites
through the Ministry of Environment and their internet site
“Ecocat”. Hardcopy maps for viewing are available at the
Christina Lake Stewardship office (see the last page of this bulletin for our contact information).
Habitat: Mid-depths in the open waters of lakes, derived from
migratory stocks of Sockeye Salmon. Many populations differ
in life history. Behavior and phenotype (genetic) changes occur between and within some lake systems.
Food Source: Mainly zooplankton, also tiny plants, insects,
and freshwater shrimp.
Potential Impacts: With other species introductions and native
species variations along with food web competition, the impacts on this species is unknown at this time.
Comment: Evidence suggests that they have diverged repeatedly from Sockeye populations since the retreat of the last glacial period.
Photo Credit: Chara Consulting—J. Webster
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Late Spring / Early Summer.
Habitat: Shallow rocky areas of lakes, clear and gravel bottom
runs and flowing pools of rivers and cool flowing streams.
Food Source: Piscivorous (fish), crayfish, and insects.
Potential Impacts and Comments: See Largemouth Bass.
Photo Credit: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (D. Southgate)
Page 4
Christina Lake—Fish Species
CHRISTINA LAKE CONFIRMED FISH SPECIES
Northern Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis)
Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni)
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Fall/Winter (Nocturnal).
Habitat: Interior lakes, rivers and streams in all
regions of British Columbia—fast water in small
turbid pools.
Food Source: Aquatic insect larvae, mollusks,
fish and fish eggs (including their own).
Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org—Prosopium williamsoni
•
•
•
•
Prickly Sculpin (Cottus asper)
Christina Lake Nature Park—Brenda LaCroix
•
•
•
•
Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)
Spawning Time: Spring/Summer.
Habitat: Common in weedy lakes, slow-moving
streams and edge waters of larger rivers.
Food Source: This species feeds on a variety of organisms, but larger individuals are primarily piscivorus and serious predators of game fish.
Photo Credit: B.C. Ministry of Environment
Spawning Time: Early Spring.
Habitat: This species prefers slow water along lake
shores, pools and quiet waters in rivers.
Food Source: This species feeds mainly on aquatic
insect larvae and bottom invertebrates.
Photo Credit: Dave Giordano—Courtesy of the University of California
Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Spring.
Habitat: Occurs in quiet and vegetated lakes, ponds
and pools of creeks and small rivers.
Food Source: Feeds mainly on worms, crustaceans
and insects but may also feed on small fish and other
vertebrates as well as fish eggs.
Potential Impacts: Food web competitors.
Comments: As with the Largemouth and Smallmouth
Bass, this species is widely distributed throughout
North America and globally. Several countries report
adverse ecological impacts after introduction.
Photo Credit: B.C. Ministry of Environment
PLEASE DON’T MOVE LIVE FISH OR OTHER AQUATIC LIFE
DID YOU KNOW? It is against the law to move live fish or aquatic invertebrates. It is also illegal to use live fish for bait.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP: Don’t move live fish or any other form of aquatic life from one body of water to another
(includes crayfish, aquarium fish, aquatic insects or plants). Doing so can cause devastating impacts to native species.
Page 5
Christina Lake—Fish Species
CHRISTINA LAKE CONFIRMED FISH SPECIES
Rainbow Trout - Fry
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Native and Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Lake resident species enter their spawning streams in the Spring.
Habitat: Rainbow Trout occupy many different types of ecosystems; large rivers and lakes of lower valleys,
tributary streams, small lakes at mid-elevation as well as mountain streams and alpine lakes.
Food Source: Young feed predominantly on zooplankton. Adults feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects, mollusks, crustaceans, fish eggs, minnows, and other small fish (including other trout).
Potential Impacts: With other species introductions and native species variations along with food web competition, the impacts on this species is unknown at this time.
Comment: Rainbow trout vary greatly in appearance, depending on where they are found and their age.
Photo Credits: B.C. Ministry of Environment
Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus)
Tiger Musky
(Esox lucius x E. masquinongy)
Tench (Tinca tinca)
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Early
Spring.
Habitat: Inhabits rocky riffles of cold streams and
rocky areas of lakes.
Food Source: This species
feeds mainly on aquatic insect larvae and nymphs as
well as crustaceans, small
fish and plant material.
Photo Credit: Univ. of New
Brunswick (Canadian River
Institute) - M. Gautreau
Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Summer.
Habitat: Inhabits warm lakes
with weed and mud bottom.
Food Source: This species
feeds mainly on aquatic insect
larvae and bottom invertebrates.
Potential Impacts: Food web
competitors.
Photo Credit: B.C. Ministry of
Environment
Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Spring.
Habitat: Shallow weedy areas of
lakes and rivers.
Food Source: Fish, frogs, mice,
muskrats, and young waterfowl.
Potential Impacts: Food web competitors.
Comment: Hybrid cross between
northern pike and muskellunge—
mainly a stocked fish (sterile).
Photo Credit: Pinecrest Lodge, Deep
River, Ontario
OBSERVE, RECORD, AND REPORT –any such activities you see, including the use of live fish for bait. Make your report
as soon as possible to the Conservation Officer 24 hour hotline at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277) - Cellular dial #7277
IT’S YOUR MOVE: The key to controlling the quality of fishing in BC lakes and streams is you.
What is yours to enjoy is yours to protect.
Page 6
Christina Lake—Fish Species
CHRISTINA LAKE CONFIRMED FISH SPECIES
Walleye (Sander vitreus)
Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)
Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Spring.
Habitat: Occurs in lakes, pools, backwaters and
medium to large rivers.
Food Source: Piscivorous and insects but will feed
on crayfish, snails, frogs, and small mammals
when fish and insects are scarce.
Potential Impacts: Food web competitors.
Photo Credit: B.C. Ministry of Environment
Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Early Spring / Summer.
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, pools of creeks and small to
large rivers - most common in clear water near
vegetation.
Food Source: Feeds on insects, invertebrates, fish
and fish eggs.
Potential Impacts: Food web competitors.
Photo Credit: B.C. Ministry of Environment
CHRISTINA LAKE UNCONFIRMED FISH SPECIES
Brown Trout (Salmo trutta trutta)
Introduced Species
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Late Fall / Early Winter.
Habitat: Inhabits lakes, streams, and rivers. Prefers areas with adequate cover in the form of submerged rocks, overhanging vegetation, and undercut banks.
Food Source: Aquatic and terrestrial insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish.
Comments: Introduced into the Kettle River system in 1957 but not known if this species has migrated into the Christina Lake Watershed.
Photo Credit: B.C. Ministry of Environment
Chiselmouth (Acrocheilus aluticeus)
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Spring / Summer.
Habitat: Inhabits flowing pools and runs over sand
and gravel in creeks as well as small to medium
rivers— also can be found in margins of lakes.
Food Source: Young feed on small insects and the
adults feed mainly on diatoms (eukaryotic algae—
one of the most common types of phytoplankton)
and filamentous (green) algae.
Comments: Rare species. Present in the Kettle
River system. Possibly occurs in Christina Lake
but unconfirmed.
Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service (Bart Gamett)
Did you Know? - An Introduction of another Non-Native Aquatic Species
Mysis relicta (also called opossum shrimp or mysis shrimp) were introduced
(stocked) into Christina Lake in 1966. According to G.E. Stringer from the BC
Fish and Game Branch (1977), 80,000 of these organisms were introduced in
hopes of boosting the productivity of Christina Lake by providing extra forage
for game fish thus enhancing the fisheries industry. In the beginning, fish
populations rose variably for the many BC lakes that this introduction occurred but then began to collapse. Scientists discovered that
Page 7
Christina Lake—Fish Species
CHRISTINA LAKE UNCONFIRMED FISH SPECIES
Lake Chub (Couesius plumbeus)
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Early Spring.
Habitat: Streams, rivers, and lakes throughout
Canada—capable of tolerating a wide variety of
aquatic habitats.
Food Source: Feeds on zooplankton, algae, terrestrial and aquatic insects and small fish.
Comments: Present in the Kettle River system.
Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed.
Photo Credit: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(Jaclyn Kendall)
Leopard Dace (Rhinichthys falcatus)
•
•
Spawning Time: Summer.
Habitat: Streams, larger rivers and rocky lake margins—prefers slower waters.
Food Source: Feeds primarily on terrestrial and
aquatic insects.
Comments: Present in the Kettle River system.
Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed.
Photo Credit: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Jaclyn
Kendall)
•
•
•
Longnose Dace (Rhinichthys cataractae)
Longnose Sucker
(Catostomus catostomus catostomus)
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Summer.
Habitat: Streams, larger rivers and rocky lake margins—prefers slower waters.
Food Source: Feeds primarily on terrestrial and
aquatic insects.
Comments: Present in the Kettle River system. Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed.
Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service (Bart Gamett)
BASIC SALMONID EXTERNAL ANATOMY
1. Nostrils
2. Lateral Line
3. Dorsal Fin
4. Adipose Fin
Photo Credit: BC MOE
5. Caudal (Tail) Fin
6. Anal Fin
7. Pelvic Fins
8. Pectoral Fins
9. Gill Cover
•
•
Spawning Time: Early Spring.
Habitat: Usually in clear, cold, deep waters of lakes
and tributary streams.
Food Source: Benthic invertebrates.
Comments: Present in Christina Creek (lake outlet).
Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed.
Most widespread sucker species in Canada.
Photo Credit: Kidfish.bc.ca (E. Keeley)
•
•
•
1.
3.
2.
4.
5.
9.
8.
7.
6.
Mysis relicta is a good prey item for large Kokanee, but not for Kokanee aged less than a year as the shrimp are
too large for small kokanee to consume. One of the major food sources for young Kokanee is a small zooplankton species called Daphnia, otherwise termed the “water flea”. Unfortunately, Daphnia is also the preferred food
item for Mysis relicta. This led to competition for the same food source, and the shrimp are more efficient predators than the young Kokanee. They feed during the night, whereas the Kokanee do not. Mysis relicta also have a
rapid generation time, have few predators, and normally inhabit different zones of the lake than the Kokanee. Currently, almost nothing is known about the status of Mysis relicta in Christina Lake, except that it appears to be
common and widespread. A survey is required to ascertain this species’ abundance and distribution.
Page 8
Christina Lake—Fish Species
CHRISTINA LAKE UNCONFIRMED FISH SPECIES
Peamouth Chub (Mylocheilus caurinus)
Columbia Sculpin (Cottus hubbsi)
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•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Spring.
Habitat: Mainly gravel and rocky riffles in clear,
cool, streams, and rivers.
Food Source: Mainly aquatic insects.
Comments: Present in Christina Creek (lake outlet)
and Sutherland Creek. Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed. Subspecies of the
Mottled Sculpin.
Photo Credit: Royal B.C. Museum
•
•
•
•
•
Redside Shiner (Richardsonius balteatus)
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Spring / Summer.
Habitat: Widespread in lakes, streams, rivers and
ponds. Often near aquatic vegetation.
Food Source: Aquatic and terrestrial insects, algae, mollusks, fish eggs (including their own), and
small fish.
Comments: Present in Christina Creek (lake outlet). Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed.
Photo Credit: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(Jaclyn Kendall)
Spawning Time: Spring.
Habitat: Found in the vegetated shallows of rivers
and lakes.
Food Source: Aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.
Comments: Present in the Kettle River system.
Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed.
Photo Credit: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(Jaclyn Kendall)
Shorthead Sculpin (Cottus confusus)
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Early Spring.
Habitat: Usually found in fast riffles in colder
streams with gravel and cobble substrates but
may be found along the edge waters of larger rivers.
Food Source: Aquatic insects, snails, fish eggs
and fish fry.
Comments: Present in the Kettle River system.
Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed.
Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service (Bart Gamett)
Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM)
An introduced aquatic plant species. For more information contact the Regional District of Kootenay
Boundary at RDKB.com
Photo Credit: Dave Caswell
Don’t Spread Us Around—Each Fragment
Produces a New Plant!
Introduced
Native
Page 9
Christina Lake—Fish Species
CHRISTINA LAKE UNCONFIRMED FISH SPECIES
Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus)
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Late Spring / Early Summer.
Habitat: Inhabits shallow cool rocky riffles, runs
and pools of headwaters, creeks and rivers.
Food Source: Aquatic insects, plant material and
zooplankton.
Comments: Present in the Kettle River system.
Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed.
Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service (Bart Gamett)
Torrent Sculpin (Cottus rhotheus)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Spring / Summer.
Habitat: Inhabits fast cold waters with a gravel and
cobble substrate. Also occurs in lakes.
Food Source: Primarily zooplankton, aquatic insects, small fish and fish eggs.
Comments: Present in the Kettle River system.
Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed.
Note: Colour can be red as above or grey.
Photo Credit: Royal B.C. Museum
Umatilla Dace (Rhinichthys umatilla)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spawning Time: Late Spring / Early Summer.
Habitat: Inhabits larger riverine systems with large
gravel, cobble, boulder complexes with riffles.
Food Source: Feeds primarily on terrestrial and
aquatic insects.
Comments: Present in the Kettle River system.
Possibly occurs in Christina Lake but unconfirmed.
Image Credit: Royal B.C. Museum
Spawning Time: Spring / Early Summer. Female
sexual maturity is about 30 years. Females only
spawn every 4 to 5 years and only when conditions are favorable.
Habitat: Found in large, cool, fluvial environments,
in large pools and main channels.
Food Source: Feeds mainly on fish, invertebrates,
and plants (opportunistic feeder).
Comments: Anecdotal reports from Christina Lake
residents and anglers but unconfirmed. Several
anglers have reported large moving objects on the
bottom of the lake from depth sounder images.
Photo Credits: B.C. Ministry of Environment.
White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)
Information Based On Columbia River Species
Note: Adults can grow up to 6 metres (19 feet long)
and can weigh up to 800 kilograms (1800 pounds).
This species can live to be over 100 years old. Endangered due to over fishing, dams, introduced species competition, and various detrimental land use
practices. Fossil records—175 million years.
Page 10
Christina Lake—Fish Species
Stocking Records for Christina Lake - MOE Fish Data Warehouse (2005)
and the Royal BC Museum (2004)
Release Date
Species
Fish Count
Stock
Life Cycle Stage
1901
Smallmouth Bass
500
Bay of Quinte
Fry
1914
Rainbow Trout
13,300
Lardeau River
Fry
1915
Rainbow Trout
30,000
Lardeau River
Fry
1916
Rainbow Trout
25,000
Lardeau River
Fry
1919
Rainbow Trout
12,000
Lardeau River
Fry
1920
Rainbow Trout
18,000
Lardeau River
Fry
1923
Rainbow Trout
30,000
Lardeau Fry
Fry
1925
Rainbow Trout
5,000
Lardeau River
Fry
1927
Rainbow Trout
20,000
Pinantan
Fry
1928
Rainbow Trout
15,000
Lardeau River
Eyed Egg
1929
Rainbow Trout
40,000
Lardeau River
Eyed Egg
1930
Rainbow Trout
30,000
Lardeau River
Fry
1931
Rainbow Trout
25,000
Lardeau River
Eyed Egg
1931
Kokanee
20,000
Kootenay
Eyed Egg
1932
Rainbow Trout
25,000
Pinantan
Eyed Egg
1932
Kokanee
50,000
Kootenay
Eyed Egg
1933
Kokanee
150,000
Kootenay
Eyed Egg
1934
Rainbow Trout
35,000
Cottonwood
Eyed Egg
1935
Rainbow Trout
30,000
Cottonwood
Eyed Egg
1936
Rainbow Trout
40,000
Cottonwood
Eyed Egg
1937
Rainbow Trout
40,000
Pennask
Eyed Egg
1938
Rainbow Trout
40,000
Pennask
Eyed Egg
1939
Rainbow Trout
60,000
Lardeau River
Eyed Egg
1940
Rainbow Trout
200,000
Pinantan
Eyed Egg
1940
Kokanee
150,000
Unknown
Eyed Egg
1941
Rainbow Trout
200,000
Pennask
Eyed Egg
1942
Rainbow Trout
200,000
Pennask
Eyed Egg
1943
Rainbow Trout
195,200
Lardeau River
Eyed Egg
1944
Rainbow Trout
180,000
Pennask
Eyed Egg
1945
Rainbow Trout
95,000
Pennask
Eyed Egg
1946
Rainbow Trout
145,680
Pennask
Eyed Egg
1947
Rainbow Trout
130,000
Pennask
Eyed Egg
1948
Rainbow Trout
50,000
Pennask
Fry
1949
Rainbow Trout
100,000
Lardeau River
Fry and Eyed Egg
1950
Rainbow Trout
48,768
Swalwell
Fingerling
1951
Rainbow Trout
31,000
Swalwell
Fingerling and Fry
1952
Rainbow Trout
45,225
Swalwell
Fingerling
1953
Rainbow Trout
71,533
Swalwell
Fingerling
1954
Rainbow Trout
24,990
Loon Creek
Unknown
1956
Rainbow Trout
26,000
Loon Creek
Fingerling
1957
Rainbow Trout
21,500
Swalwell
Fingerling
1958
Rainbow Trout
26,000
California
Fingerling
1959
Rainbow Trout
26,000
Swalwell
Fingerling
1960
Rainbow Trout
26,000
Drew-Wash
Fingerling
1961
Rainbow Trout
26,000
Swalwell
Fingerling
1962
Rainbow Trout
9,000
Drew-Wash
Yearling
1963
Rainbow Trout
26,000
McLeary
Fingerling
Photo Credit: B.C. Ministry of Environment
Page 11
Christina Lake—Fish Species
History of the Christina Lake Commercial Kokanee Fishery
Historically, a commercial fishery concentrated on shore spawning kokanee from the turn of the century until the
1960’s. For Christina Lake the commercial fishery was primarily drag seine licenses. It was believed that the shore
spawning kokanee were a superior tasting fish at spawning time and could be caught in abundance and eventually a
market developed at Christina Lake. It must be noted here that shore spawning kokanee do not turn red like the
stream spawning kokanee do which made them more appealing for the consumer. Spawning time for shore spawning kokanee differs from stream spawners - for shore spawners usually mid December to late January and timing
varies with temperature. The stream spawning kokanee usually spawn between mid August to mid September.
Fresh kokanee were boxed and shipped as far away as Calgary and Spokane with Trail being the biggest part of the
market. Permit control was gradually obtained by the Fish and Wildlife Branch and both commercial and sustenance
permits were reduced and eventually eliminated.
Christina Lake Commercial Kokanee Fishery Catch Estimates
(Includes a summary of the diary notes of R.A. Wolverton and documented catches of Ole Johnson)
YEAR
POUNDS
LITERARY SOURCE
1898 – 1899
28,000
Scott and Crossman (1973)
*1927
31,400
Stringer (1963)
1935
20,000
Mitchell and LaCroix (2003)
1944
(Wolverton, 1954)
1945
1,275
5,100 (4 fish to the pound/ 100 fish per box = 25 lbs/box = 51
boxes) Previous year 70 fish to a box which indicates the fish were
larger the previous year
150 (5 fish to a pound)
1946
550
(Wolverton, 1954)
1947
Did not fish
(Wolverton, 1954)
1948
2,520 (100 fish to a box at 40 lbs/box)
(Wolverton, 1954)
1949
3,136 (100 fish to a box at 40 lbs/box)
(Wolverton, 1954)
1950
140
(Wolverton, 1954)
1951
None for this season
(Wolverton, 1954)
1952
200 (6 fish to a pound)
(Wolverton, 1954)
1953
1,725
(Wolverton, 1954)
1954
2,000
Smith (1974) p 2
1955
90
Smith (1974) p 2
1956
15
Smith (1974) p 2
1962
360
Stringer (1963)
(Wolverton, 1954)
TOTAL IN METRIC TONS = 91,561 lbs ÷ 2,204.6 lbs/metric ton = 41.54 metric tons
Note: Only commercial harvest figures shown. Catch records may not reflect actual total as numerous kokanee commercial licenses were held at
this time and documentation for all annual catch totals were not available.
* No daily closures in 1927
Acoustic: Is used to determine distribution
and abundance.
Trawl: Is conducted for species verification
and to collect biological data such as size,
age, and age at maturity (spawning age).
2008 Survey Results: 304 fish/ha2 — double
the density of Okanagan Lake.
Christina Lake Kokanee
Acoustic and Trawl Surveys
Page 12
Christina Lake
Stewardship Society
PO Box 373
90 Park Road
Christina Lake, BC
V0H 1E0
Phone: 250-447-2504
Fax: 250-447-2509
Email: [email protected]
We’re on the Web at
Lakesteward.ca
Christina Lake—Fish Species
The Christina Lake Stewardship Society (CLSS) is a non-profit charitable organization which was
established in January of 2001 (Committee Est. 1994). Over the years the Society has been involved in
several projects such as the Christina Lake Tributary Study , Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory, and the
Christina Lake Watershed Management Plan which is now in its fifth year of implementation. We are
now currently working on the Christina Lake Foreshore Mapping and Inventory Project which will be
completed in November of 2009 with monitoring continuing on an ongoing basis. The Society officially opened their office in January of 2001—the Community Stewardship Resource Centre (CSRC).
The Centre houses a public resource library, which has all relevant reports, maps and data for the Christina Lake Watershed to date. Several programs have been developed through the Centre such as the
Young Stewards of the Boundary, the Annual Lake Cleanup Day, and the Annual Watershed Management Plan Review. As well, we facilitate workshops such as Boundary Fisheries Night, H2O, Riparian
Awareness, Foreshore Protection, and Bear Awareness— just to name a few. The Society also monitors Sutherland, McRae and Sandner Creeks and performs annual enumerations for stream and shore
spawning kokanee. The Christina Lake water quality monitoring and sampling program is performed in
partnership with the B.C. Ministry of Environment.
•
Female Burbot can carry more
than a million eggs.
•
Like saltwater cod, the Burbot’s
liver contains large amounts of
vitamins A and D.
•
Kokanee are Sockeye Salmon
that spend their lives in fresh water, never going to sea.
•
Kokanee size depends on genetics, numbers of kokanee, and how
much food is available in their
home lake.
•
Large Rainbow Trout like to eat
at least two adult size Kokanee
every day of the year.
•
The largest recorded Rainbow
Trout ever caught in B.C. weighed
almost 24 kg (52 pounds) and
came from Jewel Lake.
•
The Longnose Dace has the widest distribution of any minnow
found in North America.
•
Rainbow Trout Release
Bob Dupee
•
Fish can see, taste, touch, smell,
and some can hear.
•
There are more fish on earth than
there are mammals.
•
The lateral line is a row of scales
most fish have along their sides,
stretching from their head to tail.
Specialized cells under these scales
transmit vibrations (motion detection) to the brain. This helps fish to
detect objects including predators
and prey.
Scientists who study fish are
called “Ichthyologists”.
Some collection and analysis techniques include:
• Floy tags are used for monitoring
migration patterns of certain fish
species.
• Operculum (Gill Cover) punch
samples are used for DNA analysis (genetics).
• Adipose fin clipping is done to
help identify hatchery fish.
• Fish scales are used to determine
the age of fish.
YOU CAN HELP PROTECT OUR
FISHERIES RESOURCE BY:
• Being aware of your foreshore
habitat. Any alterations such as
removal of riparian vegetation,
removal of lake substrate materials such as rocks and gravel, and
importation of sand, can destroy
valuable fish habitat and spawning grounds.
Educational Program
Funding Provided By:
PLEASE REPORT TO US IF YOU CATCH A FISH THAT IS LISTED
AS UNCONFIRMED IN THIS BULLETIN OR IF YOU CATCH A FISH THAT IS NOT
LISTED WHICH MAY BE A POTENTIAL NEW INTRODUCTION (NON-NATIVE
SPECIES). FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brenda LaCroix, Stewardship Coordinator and Project Manager
Christina Lake Stewardship Society
Phone: 250-447-2504 or [email protected]