The Crowsnest work found both Lake and Brown trout making their way into the upper Crowsnest system. Neither is a wanted species. It's believed the Lake trout moved their way down from Crowsnest Lake, while the Browns were either escapees from the Allison Brood Station or illegally planted. Dozens of trophy-sized rainbows, Cuts and Cutbows were measured and released. The river as it flows through the Trout Unlimited Burmis lease was deemed the healthiest stretch examined.
The Castle work also included electro-shocking on the major tributaries including the Carbondale, West and South Castle Rivers.
It marked the first time in more than a decade that instream population studies were conducted, and the first time it was done by the ACA. Similar work was undertaken years ago by the fish and wildlife branch and private consulting firms hired to study impacts from construction of the Three Rivers Dam, now known as the Oldman Dam.
The ACA will be concluding a four year Bull Trout study on the Oldman this spring. Other work is planned for the Belly, Waterton and St. Marys River systems.
Look for posted results at:
Ab-conservation.com under the Program tab.
