GoatGuy
05-19-2010, 12:16 PM
Okanagan Lake Kokanee TRIAL Fishery opens MAY 29
PENTICTON – The Ministry of Environment will hold another limited kokanee trial fishery this summer, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced today, as kokanee spawner abundance has been better in recent years.
The kokanee fishery in Okanagan Lake was closed from 1995 to 2005 in order to conserve dwindling stocks. Since then, kokanee numbers have recovered due to a combination of the fishery closure and habitat restoration/protection. Previous trial re-openings of the fishery occurred in 2006 to 2009 and harvest rates during the trial fisheries were determined sustainable.
The Okanagan Lake kokanee trial fishery will be monitored by creel survey technicians working at boat ramps around the lake. Aerial boat counts will also be used to determine the numbers of anglers and associated fish harvest during the fishery opening.
The kokanee trial fishery will open May 29, 2010 and close Sept. 30, 2010. The daily quota will be five kokanee per licensed angler, but only one over 30 cm.
The 2010 kokanee trial fishery will provide important data needed to develop a long-term Okanagan Lake fishery management plan. Consultation with First Nations and stakeholders will also provide key information for long-term decisions on kokanee harvest.
PENTICTON – The Ministry of Environment will hold another limited kokanee trial fishery this summer, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced today, as kokanee spawner abundance has been better in recent years.
The kokanee fishery in Okanagan Lake was closed from 1995 to 2005 in order to conserve dwindling stocks. Since then, kokanee numbers have recovered due to a combination of the fishery closure and habitat restoration/protection. Previous trial re-openings of the fishery occurred in 2006 to 2009 and harvest rates during the trial fisheries were determined sustainable.
The Okanagan Lake kokanee trial fishery will be monitored by creel survey technicians working at boat ramps around the lake. Aerial boat counts will also be used to determine the numbers of anglers and associated fish harvest during the fishery opening.
The kokanee trial fishery will open May 29, 2010 and close Sept. 30, 2010. The daily quota will be five kokanee per licensed angler, but only one over 30 cm.
The 2010 kokanee trial fishery will provide important data needed to develop a long-term Okanagan Lake fishery management plan. Consultation with First Nations and stakeholders will also provide key information for long-term decisions on kokanee harvest.