From
diverse stillwaters to Sockeye salmon creeks and rivers,
the
exceptionally beautiful and unique Quesnel Lake ecosystem
offers Rainbow
trout angling that is unparalleled anywhere in British
Columbia.
Forged
by glaciers, Quesnel Lake is the deepest freshwater
fjord in the
world (over 2000 feet deep). Fed by numerous creeks
and two major rivers, it is the nursery that hosts
the offspring of millions of Sockeye salmon,
providing the ingredients for truly spectacular angling
for a genetically
pure strain of slow maturing trout. While Rainbows
are primary targets, Bull
trout, Lake trout, Kokanee and white fish are also
in abundance.
For
fly fishing enthusiasts, great fly fishing is not
limited to just the lake and feeder creeks. Numerous
small stillwaters abound in the region as well as
three world class rivers. Spin casting and trolling
are also common angling methods used on our lake.
Quesnel
Lake is one of only a few large lakes in North America
where trophy-sized rainbow trout can be caught in
an uncrowded wilderness setting. Unlike most other
strains of trout in North America, adult rainbow from
Quesnel Lake grow to be generally large (10 - 20 lbs),
and, on the average, are 7 years old when they spawn
for the first time (other trout commence spawning
at age 3 or 4).
Because
of this unique trait, Quesnel Lake trout were considered
susceptible to being over-harvested, particularly
when they were immature and between the ages of 2
and 6. Studies on the lake showed that each year,
approximately 80% of the total trout harvested were
small, immature fish that were 2 to 5 years old. As
a result, few fish were becoming mature and having
the chance to spawn. Stream surveys confirmed the
lack of spawning adults, as it was determined that
the major spawning streams were only producing fry
at 15% of their total capability.
As
a result, new regulations were set in place in 2003
for possession limit, size restriction (2 rainbow
30 - 50 cms), and gear restrictions (single hook and
no bait). These new regulations are aiding in increasing
both the number of trophy size fish available to the
sport fishery, and the number of mature adults on
the spawning grounds.
Similarly,
catch and release regulations instituted on the Horsefly
River are resulting in a significant increase in numbers
of young immature trout to Quesnel Lake.
The
fishing, now, is better than ever! It has fastly become
a world class fishery.
Since
more trout are being released under the new regulations,
anglers should keep in mind that:
-
Time
is of the essence. Play and release fish as rapidly
as possible. A fish played for a long period may
be too exhausted to recover.
-
Keep
the fish in water as much as possible. A fish out
of water is suffocating, and in addition, is twice
as heavy. The fish may be seriously injured if allowed
to flop on the beach, on rocks, or in a boat. Even
a few inches of water under a thrashing fish acts
as a protective cushion.
-
Gentleness
in handling is essential. Keep your fingers out
of the gills. Do not squeeze fish - they can easily
be held by the lower lip. Nets may be helpful, provided
the mesh does not get entangled in the gills. Hooks
and lines catching in nets may delay release, so
keep the net in the water.
-
Unhooking.
Remove the hook as rapidly as possible with long
nose pliers. IF THE FISH IS DEEPLY HOOKED, cut the
base of the hook and leave the hook in. Be quick
but gentle - do not roughly tear out hooks. Small
fish are particularly susceptible to the shock of
a torn out hook.
-
Reviving.
Some fish, especially after a long struggle, may
lose consciousness and float belly up. Always hold
the fish in the water, gently propel it back and
forth; this pumps water through the gills. When
it revives and can swim normally, let it go.
- Handled
properly, catch & release fish have over an 80% chance
of survival.
