The Province has completed its annual survey of kokanee numbers for the Okanagan Lakes region, announced Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson.

Results from the routine survey of Okanagan main valley shorelines and lake tributaries help ministry staff monitor the health of the fishery and set angling regulations. The results show:

• In Okanagan Lake, a total of 294,000 fish were counted, the second-highest total in the last 20 years. Of this total, shore-spawning kokanee are at 276,000 and stream-spawning kokanee are at 18,000.
• For Wood Lake, stream-spawning kokanee are at 8,300 and shore-spawning kokanee are at 2,500. This is close to the average abundance for Wood Lake shore-spawners during recent years.
• Kalamalka Lake kokanee population totalled 26,000.
• Coldstream Creek kokanee population is 20,000, well above the last three years' average of 6,000.
• Skaha Lake kokanee population is 37,000, similar to numbers for the last three years.

This year's survey was supported by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, which allowed for a complete census of all kokanee entering Wood Lake's primary spawning tributary, Middle Vernon Creek.

Kokanee salmon are land-locked sockeye salmon found in all of the Okanagan main valley lakes. They are an important part of the natural ecosystem. The ministry and its partners will continue efforts to restore spawning and rearing habitats and ensure the long-term health of kokanee populations.

Contact:

Paul Askey
Fisheries Biologist - Okanagan Region
250 490-8267