Yes it's quite bad, here's a link with a backgrounder from DFO:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sci/mehsd/projects/pikeminnow/intro_e.htmThe project has four components:
a) Northern pikeminnow
Removal - Pikeminnow prey on juvenile Cultus sockeye, contributing to a "predator pit" that may prevent their recovery from current low abundances. We estimate that there are approximately 60,000 to 70,000 adult pikeminnow (>20 cm) in Cultus Lake. We have developed fishing techniques that resulted in the removal of 4,000 to 5,000 pikeminnow in the late spring and early summer of 2005 when the fish were onshore. Due to the presence of non-target species (game fish such as trout and char and other native species such as suckers and shiners) we will only use techniques that will have a low bycatch and allow the live release of non-target fish. We intend to increase our catch of northern pikeminnow by expanding current techniques and investigating different approaches. These include:
1) Stationary Traps - Four trapnets (1 more than last year) will be fished from early May until mid-July. These were one of the most effective methods used in previous years. As well hoop-nets, modified black cod traps, and modified prawn traps will be fished in the spring and summer and at other times of the year on an exploratory basis.
2) Angling - Angling has been a very successful technique for capturing northern pikeminnow - 40% of the fish caught last year were by rod and reel. As well as the annual pikeminnow derby on the lake, we will conduct 2 additional pikeminnow outings. These are sponsored by the Fraser Valley Salmon Society and supported by the local guides as well as DFO. We will also cover expenses (boat gas and tackle) for five FVSS experienced volunteer anglers. The DFO netting crew will also angle for northern pikeminnow as part of their duties.
3) Purse seining - Purse seining was used in the 1990's with reasonable success. This method appears most successful when spawning and feeding aggregations located in shallower waters are targeted, generally at night. Commercial fishers will be engaged in June to purse seine in the lake. The presence of our regular trapnet and angling crew will be able to inform the seine crew on aggregations as they appear in the lake to target fishing effort. An observer will be placed on the seiner to collect biological information and tags from the catch.
4) Other methods - We are investigating other techniques that have proven effective elsewhere. One method, long-lining, has proven effective on pikeminnow in some areas on the Columbia River, but has never been used on Cultus Lake pikeminnow. We will investigate its utility for our circumstances and, if warranted, we will conduct pilot programs with the aid of commercial fisherman and others. Past reports and data have a wealth of distribution and behavioral data that will be examined for potential harvest opportunities that are not currently utilized.
Cheers,
Nicole
Author
Topic: Cultus Lake (Read 8092 times)