RMH area QSF lakes update

Rec'd this email from Rocky:

 

"Guys,

Finally found some time to do a basic summary of our test fishing day at Fiesta Lake. There were 46 trout caught that day, then a couple of us went back on Sep 14 & 19 and added another 9 fish to the sample, so a total of 55 trout were measured. Here’s the summary of what we found:

• catch rate of 0.67 trout / hour.
• total length range of 27 – 57 cm (11 – 23”).
• weight range of 0.2 – 1.5 kg (0.5 – 3.3 lb).
• 18% of the catch was over 50 cm (QSF objective is 10 – 15% over 50 cm).
• catch by year-class was comprised of 2007 stock – 1, 2008 stock – 12, 2009 stock – 11, 2010 stock – 5, 2011 stock – 4, 2012 stock – 22.
• growth and condition of trout remains very acceptable.

We’re not sure why the 2010 and 2011 stocks were represented so poorly, but we’re starting to wonder about the effects of that one aggressive loon (pink band on one leg, green band on other leg) on disoriented released fish of “loonable” size. If that loon is able to get even one trout per day over the summer period, you can understand that a good-sized bite is taken out of the annual stock injection of 550 fish at Fiesta. There were 2 – 3 loons observed at Fiesta over the summer. The combined effects from otter, mink, loon, osprey, and eagle (total predation) at all three of our QSF lakes is likely having a significant effect on stock status – probably more than the total mortality related to angling.

If you have any questions, give me a shout. Thanks again to those of you who helped us on Sep 13.

Rocky Konynenbelt

Fisheries Technician
Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development - Clearwater Area
P.O. Box 1720, Rocky Mountain House AB T4T 1B3
Tel: (403) 845-8268, Fax: (403) 845-4750"