Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Fishing Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-23-2022, 04:12 PM
Red Bullets's Avatar
Red Bullets Red Bullets is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: central Alberta
Posts: 12,627
Default Interesting "Older Lake Trout" study

This laker study is interesting and sort of discussion worthy.

Seems that older big lake trout do not age like me and you. They continue getting bigger as they age and the older they get does not affect their fertility, where other animals and humans only grow so big and lose their fertility as they age. And as a laker gets bigger it no longer has any predators which contributes to their long lives too.

https://theworldnews.net/ca-news/old...-without-aging

It makes me think other fish species are maybe the same. The biggest pike I've seen close up don't look old. If so, there is validity to letting the big fish go. I've kept big fish over the years and now not sure I would.

This also tells me eating the same diet in the same environment for a lifetime may contribute to longetivity.
__________________
___________________________________________
This country was started by voyagers whose young lives were swept away by the currents of the rivers for ten cents a day... just for the vanity of the European's beaver hats. ~ Red Bullets
___________________________________________
It is when you walk alone in nature that you discover your strengths and weaknesses. ~ Red Bullets
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-23-2022, 04:39 PM
Talking moose's Avatar
Talking moose Talking moose is online now
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: McBride/Prince George
Posts: 14,521
Default

That’s why people freak out at our (Alberta) fisheries. It’s well known that the bigger/older the female fish gets, the more eggs it produces.
Makes no sense to keep fish over x amount of centimetres and let the small ones go. The bigger fish are proven breeders and produce more offspring.
Some provinces got it right with slot size limits or keeping fish under x size.
Release the big hens.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-23-2022, 05:09 PM
Smoky buck Smoky buck is online now
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,332
Default

I have known this for a long time and this is common practice when selecting brood stock too

Only time I bonk a big fish is if it likely won’t survive. If I am selecting my fish smaller to mid size
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-24-2022, 07:31 AM
Penner's Avatar
Penner Penner is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,100
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Talking moose View Post
That’s why people freak out at our (Alberta) fisheries. It’s well known that the bigger/older the female fish gets, the more eggs it produces.
Makes no sense to keep fish over x amount of centimetres and let the small ones go. The bigger fish are proven breeders and produce more offspring.
Some provinces got it right with slot size limits or keeping fish under x size.
Release the big hens.
Slot limits agree to protect the big spawners but in a province with so few fishable waterbodies slots size has to be extremely tight in order not to deplete slot size so that enough slot fish sneak thru to become big spawners. I think slot size on our lakes is too liberal.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-24-2022, 08:34 AM
Smoky buck Smoky buck is online now
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,332
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penner View Post
Slot limits agree to protect the big spawners but in a province with so few fishable waterbodies slots size has to be extremely tight in order not to deplete slot size so that enough slot fish sneak thru to become big spawners. I think slot size on our lakes is too liberal.
Personally I think the length of the C&k season is another factor. There is many ways to control harvest numbers and many ways to combined them. We may have higher pressure that involves using multiple management tools but it’s not impossible

I have said it before on this forum there is many jurisdictions south of the border with a much higher population density creating high pressure and they have created effective management plans

Alberta needs to start combining different management tools creating a management plan not look at one tool on its own

But regardless Red bullets point is 100% correct larger more mature brood stock produce more eggs and often larger eggs too. I know this for a fact from managing brood stock and a hatchery for aquaculture
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-24-2022, 09:33 AM
EZM's Avatar
EZM EZM is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 11,851
Default

As I age, I think I'm kinda like a lake trout too - I keep growing rounder and so far my fertility is still going strong !!!!

As far as retention - Generally, I agree, that releasing breeders is a better option USUALLY.

But ..... there are some situations, specific to watersheds where maybe a few years (either sequentially or in proportion) where low water levels, spawning conditions, etc.. have created lower recruitment levels (less new fish surviving) and, as a result, may have removed/reduced an age class (in population distribution)..... this may change what retention plans might look like.

That's were having enough resources to monitor our watersheds is money well spent. More BIOs should mean better fisheries and resource management.

There is also the general condition that exists (outside of fishing pressure alone) where the trophic status of lakes move sup the scale (generally) the further south you move - basically warmer more productive and rich water allowing fish to grow faster.

This is also true and prevalent and well studies in SASK - age studies on Walleye prove this to be true for us too.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-24-2022, 10:40 AM
58thecat's Avatar
58thecat 58thecat is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,502
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penner View Post
Slot limits agree to protect the big spawners but in a province with so few fishable waterbodies slots size has to be extremely tight in order not to deplete slot size so that enough slot fish sneak thru to become big spawners. I think slot size on our lakes is too liberal.

Ahhh but toss it into a draw too, ya get drawn and only then you can take two within the slot size.
Keeping the 75cm and over is simply not right from my perspective.
Ohhh well out of my wheelhouse but I let’em all go to grow hoping one day larger fish are more common.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________

Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent...
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-24-2022, 11:51 AM
Frank_NK28 Frank_NK28 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 796
Default

Fisheries management is a complicated tool for sure but a few provinces seem to have come up with some good ideas. When I lived in Ontario I was 40 minutes from the QC border and about a 90 minute drive to what were called Zec Zones. These were specially regulated areas for both fishing and hunting and the fishing and hunting in them was amazing. The Zec closest to us had a number of lakes with Lake Trout, Brookies, Walleye, Northern Pike and Bass. Fishing in the Zecs required a Zec license. All fish caught and kept required mandatory immediate reporting. Once or if a lake reached a quota of a particular species that lake was closed to fishing that species immediately and did not open again until the next seasons opener.
When I lived in BC some lakes required special licenses and had annual catch quotas for Lake Trout or particular strains of Rainbow Trout. You had a license you cut out the date and species of your catch and you had better have cut out the notch in the license if you had a fish in your possession or you were going to pay dearly! When you reached your quota you could not retain any more fish of those species on that water for the year.
It would be very easy to implement those types of measures in AB imo. Personally I do not fish AB waters or buy an AB license even though I live here. As I live on the AB/SK border it's in my best interest to fish SK waters so I buy a SK license. The only water I fish in AB is Cold Lake and since it's divided between AB and SK my SK license is valid there. Cold Lake is fun to fish and of course easy to access and drive to for a day trip but you have to fish it with the mindset it's going to pretty much be C&R. When we decided to fish Lakers we can keep we got to SK.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-24-2022, 01:00 PM
Penner's Avatar
Penner Penner is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,100
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank_NK28 View Post
Fisheries management is a complicated tool for sure but a few provinces seem to have come up with some good ideas. When I lived in Ontario I was 40 minutes from the QC border and about a 90 minute drive to what were called Zec Zones. These were specially regulated areas for both fishing and hunting and the fishing and hunting in them was amazing. The Zec closest to us had a number of lakes with Lake Trout, Brookies, Walleye, Northern Pike and Bass. Fishing in the Zecs required a Zec license. All fish caught and kept required mandatory immediate reporting. Once or if a lake reached a quota of a particular species that lake was closed to fishing that species immediately and did not open again until the next seasons opener.
When I lived in BC some lakes required special licenses and had annual catch quotas for Lake Trout or particular strains of Rainbow Trout. You had a license you cut out the date and species of your catch and you had better have cut out the notch in the license if you had a fish in your possession or you were going to pay dearly! When you reached your quota you could not retain any more fish of those species on that water for the year.
It would be very easy to implement those types of measures in AB imo. Personally I do not fish AB waters or buy an AB license even though I live here. As I live on the AB/SK border it's in my best interest to fish SK waters so I buy a SK license. The only water I fish in AB is Cold Lake and since it's divided between AB and SK my SK license is valid there. Cold Lake is fun to fish and of course easy to access and drive to for a day trip but you have to fish it with the mindset it's going to pretty much be C&R. When we decided to fish Lakers we can keep we got to SK.
Lakers make for poor table fair. I find it damn near criminal that the large lakers in Cold Lake have been all but fished out. A 20lb laker could over 30 years old and the fact you could drive to a lake and catch one is what we should be protecting. Set a slot up in Cold where one 54cm - 58cm trout could be kept (or something like that) those little guys are way better eating and let’s those big ones to spawn and a chance to catch a trophy. Bait ban also. I miss catching those 20-30 lbs’ers in there.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-24-2022, 01:08 PM
58thecat's Avatar
58thecat 58thecat is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,502
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penner View Post
Lakers make for poor table fair. I find it damn near criminal that the large lakers in Cold Lake have been all but fished out. A 20lb laker could over 30 years old and the fact you could drive to a lake and catch one is what we should be protecting. Set a slot up in Cold where one 54cm - 58cm trout could be kept (or something like that) those little guys are way better eating and let’s those big ones to spawn and a chance to catch a trophy. Bait ban also. I miss catching those 20-30 lbs’ers in there.
I like the smaller idea and you right they just make better table fare....bait ban might be tuff to enforce as people target burbot, eyes etc with bait and the lakers they will at pretty much anything...unless the complete lake was 100% bait banned.
__________________

Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent...
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-24-2022, 01:11 PM
Frank_NK28 Frank_NK28 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 796
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penner View Post
Lakers make for poor table fair. I find it damn near criminal that the large lakers in Cold Lake have been all but fished out. A 20lb laker could over 30 years old and the fact you could drive to a lake and catch one is what we should be protecting. Set a slot up in Cold where one 54cm - 58cm trout could be kept (or something like that) those little guys are way better eating and let’s those big ones to spawn and a chance to catch a trophy. Bait ban also. I miss catching those 20-30 lbs’ers in there.
I won't argue your theory on a small slot size for catch and keep but I will argue the poor table fare. Lakers big or small are excellent table fare. It's all in the cleaning of them. Clean them properly removing the fats and skin and you'll have excellent eating regardless of size...I think the 75cm rule is ridiculous personally. Those are the fish that should remain in the lake. As for a bait ban? What do you propose? Do you mean all bait or baitfish? Artificial only? In summer artificial is all I use. I never buy baitfish. In winter when I fish Cold lake which is something I do maybe once or twice a year(last year I didn't even bother) to be honest I am more interested in catching a burbot so using frozen minnows to tip a jigging spoon and pounding bottom is my preferred choice but for Lakers I just jig with a tube jig or bare spoon.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-24-2022, 05:34 PM
-JR- -JR- is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Edm.
Posts: 4,845
Default Just to many fishermen !

I totally agree we need a slot limit . But it has to be with drawn tags .Other wise it will be fished out again, like when we could keep one over 65 cm .

We need the bigger lakers for breeders and smaller laker for feeding the big lakers !
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-24-2022, 06:05 PM
Penner's Avatar
Penner Penner is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,100
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank_NK28 View Post
I won't argue your theory on a small slot size for catch and keep but I will argue the poor table fare. Lakers big or small are excellent table fare. It's all in the cleaning of them. Clean them properly removing the fats and skin and you'll have excellent eating regardless of size...I think the 75cm rule is ridiculous personally. Those are the fish that should remain in the lake. As for a bait ban? What do you propose? Do you mean all bait or baitfish? Artificial only? In summer artificial is all I use. I never buy baitfish. In winter when I fish Cold lake which is something I do maybe once or twice a year(last year I didn't even bother) to be honest I am more interested in catching a burbot so using frozen minnows to tip a jigging spoon and pounding bottom is my preferred choice but for Lakers I just jig with a tube jig or bare spoon.
You can be Gordon Ramsey for all I care when it comes to cleaning a Lake Trout but you will not convince me Lakers are good table fare.

Bait ban as it is currently described in the regulations.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-24-2022, 08:01 PM
58thecat's Avatar
58thecat 58thecat is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,502
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by -JR- View Post
I totally agree we need a slot limit . But it has to be with drawn tags .Other wise it will be fished out again, like when we could keep one over 65 cm .

We need the bigger lakers for breeders and smaller laker for feeding the big lakers !
Spot on....and I am not sure but the lakers I have seen that were kept 15lbs ish or more after the belly fat was trimmed the meat just seemed kinda mushy/oily now I have taken a few out of Saskatchewan 15” to 18” and what a difference in texture and overall quality of meat...that’s what I call table fare but too each their own.
__________________

Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent...
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-24-2022, 10:43 PM
-JR- -JR- is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Edm.
Posts: 4,845
Default

I think any lake that has a Tag system ,should have all the money that is raised go back directly to that lake for safer boat launches and repairs.

Nothing worse than waiting for someone to load his boat in 3 ft waves .
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 01-25-2022, 08:15 AM
Penner's Avatar
Penner Penner is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,100
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by -JR- View Post
I think any lake that has a Tag system ,should have all the money that is raised go back directly to that lake for safer boat launches and repairs.

Nothing worse than waiting for someone to load his boat in 3 ft waves .
There seems to be some preconception that the draw process generates a bunch of money. It doesn't, proceeds after costs to administer likely wouldn't buy more than a few loads of gravel for the road to the boat launch.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 01-25-2022, 09:47 AM
-JR- -JR- is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Edm.
Posts: 4,845
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penner View Post
There seems to be some preconception that the draw process generates a bunch of money. It doesn't, proceeds after costs to administer likely wouldn't buy more than a few loads of gravel for the road to the boat launch.
Thats a start .
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 01-25-2022, 09:55 AM
Frank_NK28 Frank_NK28 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 796
Default

I'm not a fan of the tag system personally. I think there are better options available that allow all to take part. There was a lake we fished years ago that like Cold Lake had been pounded hard to the point of having to go through major changes to recover. First the lake trout season was closed altogether for 10 years. After a few studies they decided to open it to fishing again with two seasons per year, one week in summer(June) and one week in winter(Feb). Catch limits were set to one fish per day and fish had to fall within a slot size of less than 55cm. None over 55 cm were allowed to be kept and those seasons and catch limits remain to this day over 25 years later. The lake is nowhere near the size of Cold Lake at just over7 miles long and a 1.5 to 2 miles at its widest point but a city of 47,000 reside on it's shores and it's in one of the heaviest trafficked tourist zones in the province. It's a wonderful fishery and recovery story. It shows that if you are willing to work together(local angling group and ministry) a plan can be made that appeases most and ensures a great fishery for all to enjoy without a bunch of extra fees. Not all situations require extra money or limiting numbers of fishermen to make them work.

Last edited by Frank_NK28; 01-25-2022 at 10:24 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 01-25-2022, 01:04 PM
58thecat's Avatar
58thecat 58thecat is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,502
Default

Cold lake has an abundance of lakers but if we want to see trophy size then perhaps like you said open during specific weeks and a slot size only might get this lake to its true laker trophy potential.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________

Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent...
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 01-25-2022, 03:27 PM
Frank_NK28 Frank_NK28 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 796
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 58thecat View Post
Cold lake has an abundance of lakers but if we want to see trophy size then perhaps like you said open during specific weeks and a slot size only might get this lake to its true laker trophy potential.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It sure changed the fishery on the lake I mentioned earlier. The average size went up from 2-4 pounds to 4-7 pounds in short order and for a small lake it coughed up it's fair share of 20-30 pound fish. My buddy had a cottage on a point where the lake trout spawned on a small hump off th side of the point. The ministry would set up traffic counters much like they do with car traffic and record movement on the spawning bed. They would go out late at night with a boat with a large spotlight mounted on the front and look at the fish as part of their survey. We were asked to join them a few times for a look and what a sight to see the number of 15-30lb fish on that hump!! Way more than was ever caught and spoken of. It was an eye opener and a very well managed fishery. If something like that were done on Cold Lake I think you'd have a fishery reminiscent of the good old days I hear many speak of when 20lb fish were very common place. Cold lake sure has the numbers and food the source to achieve that status for sure. I find it a very impressive drive to Laker fishery. Reminds me of Lake Nipigon with the exception that the average Laker in Nipigon is 21lbs and the average catch is 7 per day according to stats compiled the Ont MNR. On Nipigon they put in a barbless hook rule too....I have two sets of spoons, everything in duplicate. One apron is full of barbless single hooked spoons for when I fish Cold Lake....
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 01-25-2022, 05:11 PM
Jayhad Jayhad is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,049
Default

I wonder if this info translates to other char, not just Lakeys

As for slot sizes, I agree, I think of the K lakes, jam packed with bulls all the same size. If some are removed common sense would say the remain fish will get larger
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 01-25-2022, 06:53 PM
dustinjoels dustinjoels is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 526
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank_NK28 View Post
It sure changed the fishery on the lake I mentioned earlier. The average size went up from 2-4 pounds to 4-7 pounds in short order and for a small lake it coughed up it's fair share of 20-30 pound fish. My buddy had a cottage on a point where the lake trout spawned on a small hump off th side of the point. The ministry would set up traffic counters much like they do with car traffic and record movement on the spawning bed. They would go out late at night with a boat with a large spotlight mounted on the front and look at the fish as part of their survey. We were asked to join them a few times for a look and what a sight to see the number of 15-30lb fish on that hump!! Way more than was ever caught and spoken of. It was an eye opener and a very well managed fishery. If something like that were done on Cold Lake I think you'd have a fishery reminiscent of the good old days I hear many speak of when 20lb fish were very common place. Cold lake sure has the numbers and food the source to achieve that status for sure. I find it a very impressive drive to Laker fishery. Reminds me of Lake Nipigon with the exception that the average Laker in Nipigon is 21lbs and the average catch is 7 per day according to stats compiled the Ont MNR. On Nipigon they put in a barbless hook rule too....I have two sets of spoons, everything in duplicate. One apron is full of barbless single hooked spoons for when I fish Cold Lake....
Unfortunately all of this takes enforcement and therefore money. And the government of Alberta isn’t going to allocate more money/resources into biologists, surveys, FIN netting, CO’s, stocking etc. Fisheries just isn’t a priority. Especially now rebounding from the economic impact of covid.

I wish fisheries were a priority, but unfortunately they aren’t in Alberta.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 01-25-2022, 07:46 PM
I’d rather be outdoors I’d rather be outdoors is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 877
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dustinjoels View Post
Unfortunately all of this takes enforcement and therefore money. And the government of Alberta isn’t going to allocate more money/resources into biologists, surveys, FIN netting, CO’s, stocking etc. Fisheries just isn’t a priority. Especially now rebounding from the economic impact of covid.

I wish fisheries were a priority, but unfortunately they aren’t in Alberta.
I say we save more $ and just de-fund the bio’s. Don’t really seem to be doing much except figuring out new regs to rob us of opportunity instead of doing proper wholistic studies. Take the $ and stock like crazy, everywhere.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 01-26-2022, 06:31 AM
Frank_NK28 Frank_NK28 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 796
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dustinjoels View Post
Unfortunately all of this takes enforcement and therefore money. And the government of Alberta isn’t going to allocate more money/resources into biologists, surveys, FIN netting, CO’s, stocking etc. Fisheries just isn’t a priority. Especially now rebounding from the economic impact of covid.

I wish fisheries were a priority, but unfortunately they aren’t in Alberta.
Actually I find it quite the opposite in AB. In Ontario I rarely saw a CO doing enforcement where here I see CO's out regularly doing patrols and checks. As for the bio's you and I will not see what they are doing unless we get involved and volunteer to participate in community fisheries programs. I used to be involved in them years ago and took part in things like Walleye egg collection, rearing pond maintenance, stocking, feeding Rainbow Trout fry at community run hatcheries, Ounaniche(landlocked Atlantic salmon) reintroduction, night watch on walleye spawning grounds etc. Then you work alongside the bio's and get to see what goes on behind the scenes. Community fishery programs better serve anglers than waiting on the gov't to commit to the fishery 100% but it takes volunteers. You'd be amazed what can be accomplished by doing so.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 01-26-2022, 08:26 AM
58thecat's Avatar
58thecat 58thecat is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,502
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank_NK28 View Post
Actually I find it quite the opposite in AB. In Ontario I rarely saw a CO doing enforcement where here I see CO's out regularly doing patrols and checks. As for the bio's you and I will not see what they are doing unless we get involved and volunteer to participate in community fisheries programs. I used to be involved in them years ago and took part in things like Walleye egg collection, rearing pond maintenance, stocking, feeding Rainbow Trout fry at community run hatcheries, Ounaniche(landlocked Atlantic salmon) reintroduction, night watch on walleye spawning grounds etc. Then you work alongside the bio's and get to see what goes on behind the scenes. Community fishery programs better serve anglers than waiting on the gov't to commit to the fishery 100% but it takes volunteers. You'd be amazed what can be accomplished by doing so.
Maybe your neck of the woods....we got one to cover a huge area....sad

I do agree that programs work with people working together and at the end of the day just because it is legal to do doesn’t always mean it is right so we can play a big part just by doing the right thing and in cold lakes laker program let them go and grow.
__________________

Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent...
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 01-26-2022, 10:57 PM
OL_JR OL_JR is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Dodge City
Posts: 1,283
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank_NK28 View Post
I'm not a fan of the tag system personally. I think there are better options available that allow all to take part. There was a lake we fished years ago that like Cold Lake had been pounded hard to the point of having to go through major changes to recover. First the lake trout season was closed altogether for 10 years. After a few studies they decided to open it to fishing again with two seasons per year, one week in summer(June) and one week in winter(Feb). Catch limits were set to one fish per day and fish had to fall within a slot size of less than 55cm. None over 55 cm were allowed to be kept and those seasons and catch limits remain to this day over 25 years later. The lake is nowhere near the size of Cold Lake at just over7 miles long and a 1.5 to 2 miles at its widest point but a city of 47,000 reside on it's shores and it's in one of the heaviest trafficked tourist zones in the province. It's a wonderful fishery and recovery story. It shows that if you are willing to work together(local angling group and ministry) a plan can be made that appeases most and ensures a great fishery for all to enjoy without a bunch of extra fees. Not all situations require extra money or limiting numbers of fishermen to make them work.
I do think the short take seasons could be effective to accomplish the end goal of improving the fishery but I also think tags can accomplish the same goal while being much more convenient for all anglers who fish Cold lake.

I'm curious what the lake trout fishing is like around the lake you describe. Is it similar where it's somewhat of a "destination" fishery where people travel from far and wide to fish it? Or are there enough lakes in the general area with lake trout that the pressure can be spread around and absorbed so that the short windows are of little consequence to the majority who fish it.

In the end I'd be happy with C and R on Cold lake vs the 1 over 75cm in place. I have kept trout on Cold Lake which are much bigger than the lakers I keep on a more local lake. Not the greatest eating experience with the Cold lake trout but the smaller local lakers are like candy. I think a tag would allow people to take better quality eating fish while improving the angling quality as well.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 01-27-2022, 05:03 AM
Smoky buck Smoky buck is online now
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,332
Default

Shorter seasons combined with slots and lower C&K limits has proven it self effective in many waters that see high pressure

Annual limits is another that is used effectively with some species

Tag system is very uncommon tool and used more so for species like sturgeon and species that are often found in limited number of watersheds making them high risk for over harvest

The excessive number of undersubscribed tags after the draw shows the lack of support for Alberta’s tag system.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 01-27-2022, 07:24 AM
OL_JR OL_JR is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Dodge City
Posts: 1,283
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Smoky buck View Post
Shorter seasons combined with slots and lower C&K limits has proven it self effective in many waters that see high pressure

Annual limits is another that is used effectively with some species

Tag system is very uncommon tool and used more so for species like sturgeon and species that are often found in limited number of watersheds making them high risk for over harvest

The excessive number of undersubscribed tags after the draw shows the lack of support for Alberta’s tag system.
Lake trout is a species that is found in a limited number of watersheds in this province - no? And they are a slow grower to boot.

How many A and B tags got drawn on a zero last year? Check it out on albertarelm.com.

C class walleye tags do show a lack of draw support and that is why they are changing the rules concerning them.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 01-27-2022, 01:39 PM
IronNoggin IronNoggin is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Port Alberni, Vancouver Island, BC
Posts: 3,444
Arrow

We studied Lakers when I lived in the Arctic.

The lakes locally known as Husky Lakes (Eskimo Lakes on most maps) are actually the remnants of the ancient McKenzie River waterway. It held two distinct populations - one in the upper lakes, and one in the lower adjacent to the salt chuck. The latter actually moved into the estuaries to forage, and got massive as a consequence. Oldest among the snaky uphill versions we found was mid to late 40's. The lower populations on the other hand were proven to live as long as early 70's.

Rather adaptable, long living species IMO.

Cheers - Nog
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 01-27-2022, 08:27 PM
Smoky buck Smoky buck is online now
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,332
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by OL_JR View Post
Lake trout is a species that is found in a limited number of watersheds in this province - no? And they are a slow grower to boot.

How many A and B tags got drawn on a zero last year? Check it out on albertarelm.com.

C class walleye tags do show a lack of draw support and that is why they are changing the rules concerning them.
Look around and see if you can find anywhere that applies a tag system for Lakers. You will look even harder if searching for walleye tags. When tags are used elsewhere it is far more sensitive harvest and much lower tag numbers

Look at the other forms of management for bush areas or situations where Lakers populations were brought back from a crash. After switching from a temp C&R period tags were not the option for management

There is options beyond tags for Alberta but it’s a matter of what style of restrictions you support to limit harvest

But I don’t keep enough fish a year to worry too much but I do shake my head at Alberta fisheries management
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:09 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.