The province is asking anglers to catch and release all fish for the remainder of the season in order to help restore populations lost in the June flood.
The voluntary program applies to nearly every river on provincial land, stretching from the southern point of the province, through the Bow Valley, Kananaskis and Ghost areas, and north.
“Because of the recent flooding, we know it has impacted fish populations,” said Carrie Sancartier, spokeswoman with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD).
“At this point, it applies to almost all streams in the Bow, Old Man and Red Deer rivers.”
ASRD biologists are currently conducting a full analysis of all waterways to determine just how many fish were lost in the flood, but Sancartier said it will take time before the full effect is known. In the meantime, ASRD wants to preserve as many fish as possible.
“We want to help the fish populations recover as quickly as possible. The more fish that spawn, the better.”
Some fish species in the area spawn in autumn and ASRD wants to ensure a healthy population reaches the reproduction phase.
Anglers can still keep invasive species. Sancartier said if an angler suspects they’ve caught an invasive species, they can call 1-855-336-2628.
Nick Schlachter, owner of Canmore-based Wapiti Sports, said the flooding has flushed the Bow River, and he’s noticing there are lots of smaller fish
“It’s cleaned it up pretty nice. We’re getting brown trout in the river. They’re fairly active and there are lots of fish,” Schlachter said. “We get runoff every year, but the volume has changed some of the beds.”
He said most anglers are complying with the catch and release program, especially since brown trout don’t provide much of a meal.
“There’s not a lot to eat off of them,” Schlachter said.
He has also noticed more people on the river getting into trouble using inflatable rafts.
“You wouldn’t believe how many get stuck out there,” he said.
