As of April 1st, 100 per cent of revenue generated from B.C. fishing licences is going to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, which means the group that manages the province’s freshwater fisheries is going to see an increase of $3 million in revenue each year.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocks a number of local lakes, including Bear (with Eastern brook trout), Alces (with Kokanee), and Whitetail lakes (with Rainbow trout) in the Canal Flats area; Cartwright, Dogsleg and Lillian lakes in the Invermere area (all with Kokanee); Dorothy Lake in Invermere proper (with Rainbow trout); Brady Lake in Fairmont (with Rainbow trout); and Munn (with Rainbow trout) and Enid (with Kokanee) lakes in the Wilmer region.
“This announcement is good news for the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and our partners, but it is great news for the province’s freshwater recreational fisheries,” said Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC president Don Peterson. “This will allow us to invest in recreational fishing opportunities and truly make fishing in B.C. even better.”
Under the new agreement, which was announced in March, the total amount to be transferred to the society for 2015-16 will be approximately $10 million, up from the $7 million that the society currently receives annually.
Since taking over freshwater fisheries management from the provincial environment ministry in 2003, the society has focused primarily on stocking of smaller lakes.
The additional funding will allow the society to work with provincial biologists to improve angling opportunities in small lakes, large lakes and rivers, and enforce fishing regulations.
Currently, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocks about 800 bodies of water with over eight million trout, char and Kokanee produced from the five provincial fish hatcheries operated by the society for that purpose.
Visit www.gofishbc.com/fish-stocking-reports/fish-stocking-plans.aspx for a complete breakdown of lake stocking plans for 2015. Select “Region 4E” for the East Kootenay. A fishing licence can also be purchased via the above link.