Ministry of Forest Lands and Resource Operations staff conducted an angler survey on Quesnel Lake between May 15 and Sept. 30 to monitor catches of rainbow trout, lake trout, bull trout and kokanee.
While results of the survey are currently being analyzed, and will be available in the new year, in general, anglers reported similar catch success to previous years.
“Over the past three years, staff have implanted 270 trout with acoustic tags, 75 of which were deployed in 2015,” said a ministry spokesperson.
“These tags allow staff to track movement, behavior and survival of rainbow trout, lake trout and bull trout for five years.”
In November, acoustic receivers were downloaded, and the data is currently being analyzed, and will also be available in the new year.
The growth and condition of trout captured and tagged in 2015 was good, the ministry said.
“In general, staff have seen an increase in rainbow trout size and density in recent years. This is due to rebuilding kokanee stocks, which have increased substantially over the past decade.”
Fish passage into Hazeltine Creek, however, was blocked as significant cleanup and restoration work was ongoing throughout the season due to the 2014 Mount Polley Mine breach.
