The Thorne Bay fish staff group is monitoring small lake
systems on the district. Most anglers that visit Prince of
Wales Island target fish either in saltwater, or along major
freshwater stream systems. The goals of monitoring small
lakes are to determine existing fish production and seek
ways to improve angler access. |
Collecting scales from a coastal cutthroat trout to analyze the age of the fish and population structure in the lake.
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Fish personnel sampling lake water quality.
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Fish personnel sample water quality in
the lakes, including pH, dissolved
oxygen, conductivity,
and water temperature. We also sample primary
production in the lakes focusing on phyto
and zooplankton levels and conduct assessments of the
fish populations including sizes, weights, and ages. Fish
are sampled using fyke
nets and hook and line sampling. |
As tourism increases on the island we
expect more angler pressure. We are currently focusing on
the lakes near road-assessable
communities.
We hope that drawing attention to these additional fishing opportunities will help disperse the heavy angling pressure from stream systems. The information we collect will help us maintain healthy fish populations.
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Prospective campsite on lake
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<View of Angel Lake from south access point
|
We are looking at opportunities to create off-road parking areas, boat or canoe launch areas and fishing access trails to lakes. This is an opportunity to provide safe and easily accessible fishing opportunities for disabled anglers or families with small children.
We also will be looking into opportunities to enhance fish populations in lakes by adding habitat structures, restoring shoreline areas damaged by concentrated angler traffic and may also consider enrichment through lake
fertilization. |
