Using Stocking Records

Stocking Records

The next few months finds fishermen planning for next years fishing expeditions. Understanding the stocking records can give one an inkling of what to expect at a specific lake. 2N releases may reproduce however the 3N and AF3N releases are specially treated and are considered non productive. The 3N may contain both Male and Female, but the AF3N are all female fish.

The sterilization renders them unable to cross with any native stock in a specific body of water. These fish tend to grow faster as the energy that would be spent spawning goes into growth, although the males (trust them) still think they can and act accordingly.

The creation of the All-Female and sterile stock is an extremely expensive process and to a lay-man like me sounds very complicated. These fish mature slower and provide a longer growing season.

Another thing to consider is the size of the release both in quantity and size of the fish. Fry releases are from the current years hatch, generally under 4 grams and require more time to mature, while the fingerlings are generally about 3 to 4 inches long and up to about 40 grams. Then there is the catchable release of approximately 250 grams.

The strains of trout also differ in growth and inborn habits. The Pennask strain do well when not in competition with other species and although slow growing reaches a fairly decent size. It tends to be most active at dusk, is a good jumper, coming readily to flies as it is an insect eater.

The Blackwater river rainbow are carnivorous, eating other fish as well as insects, snail and molluscs. They are shoal feeders and fairly active in daytime. It is relatively fast growing and generally stocked where they cannot migrate.

Tzenzaicut Lake rainbow trout are another strain that is piscivorous (eating other small fish) as well as feeding on insects. Darker than the Pennask and Blackwater strains, it is an exceptional leaper and fighter that is most active as dusk and feeds better in colder water.

Ah! The Gerrard rainbows, these feed very heavily on small fish, particularly kokanee, and grow big. Fish have been caught over 16 kg. They like large, cool, deep lakes.

The Fraser Valley domesticated rainbow trout feed heavily on invertebrates and are quite fast growing, doing very well in productive lakes. Although not jumpers they are good fighters.

Eastern Brook Trout, while not native, have been quite prominent in some areas, but these are not being used as much anymore. The ones that were in Taylor Lake grew to a fairly decent size and put up a nice struggle on a fly rod. These are a very voracious fish easily caught on fly or lures.

Kokanee also do not seem to be stocked as much. This landlocked salmon is a fiesty fighter and very tasty. They take readily to flies or lures and have very soft mouths so require careful playing.

Of course, the important thing is the long-term survival rate for all the stocking that takes place. This depends on many things: winter kill due to early and long ice conditions depleting the oxygen supply to the preditors taking their toll. Careful handling of any fish released is also very important. My rule of thumb is that if there is any chance it will not survive, it goes into the creel limit.

Properly maintained stocked lakes are a great benefit to both the local anglers and could be increasingly important to the tourist industry. There are many small lakes out there capable of producing some great fishing given the right care. One in particular between Taylor Lake and Barslow Canyon was just loaded with shrimp when I checked it out.

Perhaps the strain that does not require a stream for spawning would be the answer in some of these waters. Something to think about. I understand there is a strain of trout in the Cathederal Park that spawn on the shoreline.

Yes, time to start checking the tackle and dreaming of the next seasons open water fishing. I'm going to try to hit the Eneas Lakes and Barton Lake.