Welcome
The Alsek Renewable Resource Council (ARRC) is a voice for local community members in managing our renewable resources, such as fish, wildlife and forests. The ARRC began its work in 1995 after the signing of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) Final Agreement. The Final Agreement created the ARRC as the “primary instrument for local renewable resources management.”
Renewable Resource Councils (RRCs) are unique to the Yukon Territory and provide strong input into planning and regulation by the territorial, federal and First Nations governments. The ARRC’s jurisdiction is the Champagne Aishihik Traditional Territory (CATT) which includes the communities of Haines Junction, Canyon Creek, Mendenhall, Silver City, Kloo Lake, Aishihik and Klukshu.
Renewable Resource Councils (RRCs) are unique to the Yukon Territory and provide strong input into planning and regulation by the territorial, federal and First Nations governments. The ARRC’s jurisdiction is the Champagne Aishihik Traditional Territory (CATT) which includes the communities of Haines Junction, Canyon Creek, Mendenhall, Silver City, Kloo Lake, Aishihik and Klukshu.
Community update Regarding 2023 Lake Trout Survey
Kathleen River
Environment Yukon conducted an Angler Harvest Survey at the Kathleen River during the summer months of 2021. 415 individual anglers were surveyed over a total of 35 days during the months of May through September. Angler effort (number of hours fishing), and the species and number of fish caught was recorded. In addition, the number of fish retained by species was recorded. Other data, including where anglers were from, the type of gear they used (fly fishing versus spin gear), and whether they fished from shore or utilized a boat was also recorded. Angling effort combined with the # of fish caught by species is considered a measure of “catch per unit effort” (CPUE). The survey results were compared to previous surveys on the Kathleen River, and although grayling and rainbow trout CPUE appears to be stable, there was a measurable decline in angler success when fishing for lake trout.
The decline in angler success while fishing for lake trout prompted the ARRC to consult the Whitehorse office of Environmental Dynamics Incorporated (EDI) to discuss options for assessing lake trout populations on the Kathleen River. The ARRC has worked with EDI on several fisheries related projects in recent years (Pine Creek grayling habitat restoration, Pine Lake whitefish health assessment, CAFN TT stocked lake assessment, Hutshi Lake whitefish health assessment, Dezadeash Lake data logger deployment) and has spent considerable time working with EDI staff on these projects.
EDI proposed that the ARRC conduct a lake trout snorkel survey of the Kathleen River as it’s less intrusive and causes no fish mortality when compared to the standard netting surveys usually conducted to assess fish populations. Snorkel surveys have been utilized on other Yukon rivers and are recognized as a viable way to assess fish populations. EDI supported the ARRCs funding application to the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Trust Fund (administer under the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board), and we were approved for project funding for the fiscal year 2023/24.
The primary goal of the survey is to estimate the total number of lake trout that are in the Kathleen River system and when (seasonally) lake trout enter and exit the system for spawning purposes. In support of this objective, surveys are being conducted approximately every two weeks between mid-August and mid-October. Surveys are conducted by two EDI staff members wearing dry suits and snorkel gear, drifting down stream, visually counting and recording all lake trout seen. The Kathleen appears to be particularly well suited to this type of survey as it’s shallow in depth and the water clarity is excellent. The fish are relatively undisturbed by the passage of the surveyors, and multiple passes can be made of areas of abundance to verify count data. Each individual lake trout is recorded, and other species are noted for their abundance as well. Additional information regarding areas of important spawning habitat, seasonal fluctuations in water temperature (EDI has installed temperature loggers at various locations throughout the system to collect data), and interaction between fish species is also being noted.
Two surveys have been conducted to date, with the third in the series scheduled for mid-September. Additional surveys are scheduled for late September and mid-October. Once the field work is completed, EDI will provide the ARRC with a summary of their findings, and we will in turn provide the community an update at that time.
For additional information, please feel free to contact the ARRC.
The decline in angler success while fishing for lake trout prompted the ARRC to consult the Whitehorse office of Environmental Dynamics Incorporated (EDI) to discuss options for assessing lake trout populations on the Kathleen River. The ARRC has worked with EDI on several fisheries related projects in recent years (Pine Creek grayling habitat restoration, Pine Lake whitefish health assessment, CAFN TT stocked lake assessment, Hutshi Lake whitefish health assessment, Dezadeash Lake data logger deployment) and has spent considerable time working with EDI staff on these projects.
EDI proposed that the ARRC conduct a lake trout snorkel survey of the Kathleen River as it’s less intrusive and causes no fish mortality when compared to the standard netting surveys usually conducted to assess fish populations. Snorkel surveys have been utilized on other Yukon rivers and are recognized as a viable way to assess fish populations. EDI supported the ARRCs funding application to the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Trust Fund (administer under the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board), and we were approved for project funding for the fiscal year 2023/24.
The primary goal of the survey is to estimate the total number of lake trout that are in the Kathleen River system and when (seasonally) lake trout enter and exit the system for spawning purposes. In support of this objective, surveys are being conducted approximately every two weeks between mid-August and mid-October. Surveys are conducted by two EDI staff members wearing dry suits and snorkel gear, drifting down stream, visually counting and recording all lake trout seen. The Kathleen appears to be particularly well suited to this type of survey as it’s shallow in depth and the water clarity is excellent. The fish are relatively undisturbed by the passage of the surveyors, and multiple passes can be made of areas of abundance to verify count data. Each individual lake trout is recorded, and other species are noted for their abundance as well. Additional information regarding areas of important spawning habitat, seasonal fluctuations in water temperature (EDI has installed temperature loggers at various locations throughout the system to collect data), and interaction between fish species is also being noted.
Two surveys have been conducted to date, with the third in the series scheduled for mid-September. Additional surveys are scheduled for late September and mid-October. Once the field work is completed, EDI will provide the ARRC with a summary of their findings, and we will in turn provide the community an update at that time.
For additional information, please feel free to contact the ARRC.
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Current Council Members
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