Abstracts of Fisheries Management Reports, Technical Circulars and Project Reports of the Fisheries Branch Daiva O. Zaldokas & Debra L. Aird B.C. Fisheries Branch, 2204 Main Mall, U.B.C., Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4 Fisheries Technical Circular No. 91 1992 FISHERIES PROJECT REPORTS - KOOTENAY Gates, R. 1988. Gerrard Rainbow Trout Spawning Population and Egg Collection Data 1988. Unpublished M.S., B.C. Fisheries Branch, Nelson, B.C. Rep. No. KO-27. In the spring 1988 the spawning population of Gerrard rainbow trout was enumerated and monitored. No fish were trapped for egg collection purposes this year due to early high water. A peak count of 340 fish was recorded. Oliver, G.G. 1988. Winter circulation of Johnson Lake near Skookumchuck, British Columbia. Ministry of Environment anf Parks, Fisheries branch, Kootenay Region. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-28. Artificial circulation by means of an electric powered blower was undertaken during the winters of 1986 and 1987 at Johnson Lake near Skookumchuck, B.C. Winterkill was prevented during the first year of operation, yet unavoidable during the second year. Despite an increase in the areal depletion rate, mean oxygen concentrations less than 3.4 mg/l were never encountered. Destratification lowered the mean temperatures of the water column to 1 - 2o C throughout the aeration period. Electric powered installations were shown to be more cost effective than diesel applications where powerline costs are kept to a minimum. Thorp, Grant N. 1988. Hill Creek rainbow trout brood stock collection and subsequent yearling production, 1988. Unpublished M.S., Fisheries Branch, Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-31:12p. In spring 1988 rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) returning to Hill Creek spawning channel were captured for egg collection. A total of 27 adults were collected, consisting of 24 native Hill Creek stock and three "trophy" Gerrard fish. Approximately 17,260 eggs were collected from the Hill Creek stock. Eggs were incubated in the Hill Creek Hatchery and subsequent yearling production was approximately 12,000 resulting in a 70% egg to yearling survival rate. Based on an estimated return rate of 2% from yearling to adult (excluding sport catch) 240 adults should return to spawn in 1993 when the fish are five years old. Thorpe, G.N. 1988. Hill Creek spawning channel kokanee fry enumeration, Spring 1988. Unpublished M.S. Fisheries Branch, Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-32:14p. In fall 1987, approximately 103,528 kokanee (oncorhynchus nerka) entered Hill Creeek of which 73,437 spawned in the Hill Creek spawning channel. Resultant egg deposition in the channel was calculated at 9.91 million (Thorpe 1987a). Subsequent fry production in the spring of 1988 was estimated at 4.35 million which represents a 43.9% egg-to-fry survival rate. The projected adult return in 1991 from stream and spawning channel production is 229,315. (Thorp 1987a) Bell, J. 1989. Meadow Creek spawning channel adult kokanee enumeration and fry production evaluation 1987-88. Unpublished M.S. Recreation Fisheries Branch, Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-33. Escapement into Meadow Creek during fall, 1987, was estimated at 425,885 kokanee. An additional 250,000 adults ascended the Lardeau River in 1987; the lowest escapement ever observed on the system. Spawning channel egg deposition approximated 22.7 million eggs. Mean fecundity was 191 eggs/female; the lowest ever recorded. Egg to fry survival was only 10.2 percent and as a result an estimated 2.3 million fry outmigrated from the spawning channel between April 20 and June 6, 1988. The provincial hatchery program received in excess of 2.0 million eggs from Meadow Creek stock as a result of collection activities between September 14 and October 2, 1987. Thorp, Grant N. 1988. Hill Creek Spawning Channel Adult Kokanee Enumeration, 1988. Unpublished M.S., Fisheries branch, Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-34:19p. Adult kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) returning to Hill Creek to spawn in the fall of 1988 were enumerated at a fence site located downstream of the Hill Creek spawning channel. A total of 291,612 kokanee were enumerated at this site of which 150,000 entered the spawning channel. A further 6,500 kokanee were visually estimated below this site yielding a total return to the Hill Creek system of 298,112 fish. An estimated 27.3 million eggs were deposited into the Hill Creek system (natural creek and spawning channel). Production from the 1988 spawning effort is expected to generate an adult return of 378,000 in 1992. A Bell, J, 1989. Meadow Creek rainbow trout and Dolly Varden hatchery production and stocking report, 1987 and 1988 year classes. Unpublished M.S. Recreational Fisheries Branch, Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-35. A total of 33,683 Gerrard yearling rainbow trout were liberated into Meadow Creek between mid-May and mid-June, 1988. All fish were identified with a combined left maxillary/adipose clip. Hatchery fish weighed 7.2 gm on average and measured between 65 and 117 mm. Egg to release survival was 54.9%. The Gerrard rainbow hatchery program was abandoned in 1988 after abnormal spring freshet conditions caused the collection fence to fail. A total of 5102 Dolly Varden fry were released into Meadow and John creeks between July 14 and August 25, 1987. John and Meadow Creek fish were independently marked with left and right maxillary clips respectively. An additional 1014 unmarked fry were liberated into the Kaslo River, near Keen Creek bridge, on August 4, 1987. A total of 5102 Dolly Varden fry were released into Meadow and John creeks between July 14 and August 25, 1987. John and Meadow Creek fish were independently marked with left and right maxillary clips respectively. An additional 1014 unmarked fry were liberated into the Kaslo River, near Keen Creek bridge, on August 4, 1987. A total of 3892 (96/kg) Dolly Varden fry were released into both Meadow and John Creeks on September 27, 1988. All fish were identified with a left maxillary clip. Hatchery fish weighted 10.4 gm on average and measured between 70 and 124 mm. Bell, J. 1990. Meadow Creek spawning channel adult kokanee enumeration and fry production evaluation 1988-89. Unpublished M.S. Recreation Fisheries Branch, Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-37. Escapement into Meadow Creek during fall 1988, was estimated at 467, 895 kokanee. An additional 192,000 adults ascended the Lardeau River in 1988; the lowest escapement ever observed on the system. Spawning channel egg deposition approximated 27.7 million eggs. Mean fecundity was 215 eggs/female with a 133-287 range. Egg to fry survival was 25.2 percent and as a result an estimated 7.0 million fry outmigrated from the spawning channel between April 18 and June 13, 1989. The provincial hatchery program received in excess of 2.0 million eggs from Meadow Creek stock as a result of collection activities between September 16 and October 5, 1988. Gates, R. 1989. Gerrard Rainbow Trout Spawning Population and Egg Collection Data. Kootenay Region, Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-38. In the spring of 1989 spawning population of Gerrard rainbow trout was enumerated and monitored. A peak count of 363 fish were recorded for 1989. Also, in conjunction with enumeration a total of 36 fish were trapped for egg collection for the brood stock program at the Kootenay Trout Hatchery. A total of 14,000 eggs were collected using 24 of the trapped fish (15 males and 9 females). Fleck, J.L. 1990. Kokanee Creek Spawning Channel Adult Enumeration 1988 and fry production 1989. Unpublished M.S. Fisheries Branch, Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-39:17p. Kokanee Creek is the largest of the three tributary streams to the West Arm of Kootenay Lake which support spawning kokanee. In 1984-1985 an artificial spawning channel was constructed to increase kokanee production. During the fall of 1988, adult kokanee were enumerated and in the spring of 1989 fry production was measured. A total of 4,773 kokanee spawned in the spawning channel depositing 2,641,428 eggs in the gravel. A total of 636,594 fry were produced during the spring of 1989 resulting in an egg fry survival rate of 24.2%. Thorp, G.N. 1988. Hill Creek spawning channel kokanee fry enumeration, Spring 1989. Unpublished M.S. Recreation Fisheries Branch, Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-42:16p. In fall 1988, approximately 298,100 kokanee (Onchorynchus nerka) entered Hill Creek of which 150,000 spawned in the spawning channel. Resultant egg deposition in the channel was estimated at 13.78 million (Thorp 1988a). Subsequent fry production in the spring of 1989 was estimated at 7.92 million representing a 57.4% egg-to-fry survival rate. The projected adult return in 1992 from natural stream and spawning channel production is just over 500,000. Thorp, G. N. 1989. Hill Creek rainbow trout brood stock collection and subsequent yearling production, 1989. Unpublished M.S. Fisheries Branch, Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. No. KO-44:17p. In spring 1989 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) returning to Hill Creek spawning channel were captured for egg collection. A total of 33 adults were collected consisting of 30 native Hill Creek stock and three "trophy" Gerrard fish. Approximately 10,000 eggs were taken from the Hill Creek stock. Eggs were incubated and reared in the Hill Creek Hatchery with subsequent yearling production of approximately 3,100 fish resulting in a green egg to yearling survival rate of 31%. Based on an estimated return rate of 2% from yearling to adult (excluding sport catch) 62 adults should return to spawn in 1994 when the fish are five years old. Thorp, G.N. 1989. Hill Creek Spawning Channel Adult Kokanee Enumeration, 1989. Unpublished M.S. Fisheries Branch Nelson, B.C. Fish. Proj. Rep. NO. KO-45:22p. Adult kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) returning to Hill Creek to spawn in the fall of 1989 were enumerated at a fence site located downstream of the Hill Creek spawning channel. A total of 317,937 kokanee were enumerated at this site of which 150,000 entered the spawning channel. A further 5,500 kokanee were visually estimated below this site yielding a total return to the Hill Creeek system of 323,437 fish. An estimated 32.43 million eggs were deposited into the Hill Creek system (natural creek and spawning channel). Production from the 1989 spawning effort is expected to generate an adult return of 522,000 in 1993. Oliver, G.G. 1990. Investigations on the Status of Westslope Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) in the Lower St. Mary River (1980-89) Fish. Manage. Rep. KO-46. The status of westslope cutthroat trout in the lower St. Mary River was summarized over a ten year period (1980-89) to describe the effects of progressive regulation change on an unfished to fished population. Initial investigations in the early 1980's showed a resident fluvial population with a balanced age structure and numbers (>200 m) of up to 118/km of stream channel. At that time, the mean size of fish was 342 mm and the population was considered relatively unexploited. Angling regulations in 1980 included catch and possession limits of 4 fish and a 'flyfishing only' restriction between Mark and Joseph Creeks. In 1982, the cutthroat population was estimated at 6405. Population trends were monitored over a 3 km section of river from 1984 to 1989. In the presence of a fishery, numbers of fish dropped from a high of 96/km in 1986 to a low of 43/km in 1989. Despite further restrictive regulations including a 2 fish catch limit, a bait ban, a winter trout closure and a 30 cm minimum size limit, the population in 1989 was estimated at 2921 fish and mean size had dropped to 271 mm. The results of a catch and release fishery on a 13 km section river one year after its implementation in 1988 showed improvement in age structure. Whereas only 34% of the population exceeded 30 cm in the kill fishery, it was shown that on average 51% of the population were greater than 30 cm within the trout release boundary. Future intensive management options for the fishery including restorative stocking in tributaries as well as further restrictive regulations to improve the age structure are discussed. Life history and age and growth characteristics are also reported. Oliver, G.G. 1991. The Trial Application of Contemporary Habitat Models to Predict Fisheries Capability in Selected Streams of the Kootenay Region. Fisheries Branch, Ministry of Environment. Fish. Manage. Rep. No. KO-47. Stream capability was predicted for the lower St. Mary River and four major tributaries using a stream productivity model in conjunction with the weighted useable area concept. The productivity model incorporated total alkalinity and fish size to estimate near maximum densities. Depth, velocity and D90 were used to define the amount of suitable habitat within each drainage, upon which a final estimate of carrying capacity was predicted. Of the three variables measured, depth was found to be the most significant factor affecting juvenile and adult distribution. Of the total area available, only 21% of the mainstem river was suitable for adult cutthroat trout. 51.3% of the total area in tributaries was similarly useable by fry while 35.7 and 35.6% was useable by yearling and overyearling fish, respectively. Weighted useable area was not well correlated with biomass. However, sample size constraints limited the analysis (e.g 2 df for mainstem testing) and mainstem reaches may not have been at capacity. Juvenile and adult trout densities observed in each watershed were considerably less than the numbers of fish predicted by modelling. The current density of adult trout in mainstem waters was estimated at 34% of predicted capacity. Similarly, juvenile densities in four tributaries ranged from 71.5 to 88.75% for fry and from 55 to 95% for parr of predicated capacity. A restorative stocking program in tributaries was suggested to initially boost fry and yearling densities to numbers near carrying capacity. Stream enhancement opportunities were also recommended to improve natural recruitment as well as increase the amount of suitable habitat for the older age-groups. Finally, this modelling approach was evaluated with respect to its applicability to other streams in the Kootenay Region.