Kathleen River Lake TroutEnvironment 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 |
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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.
After completing the series of snorkel surveys in the summer and fall of 2023 the ARRC was left with more questions than answers on how lake trout use the Kathleen River system. The ARRC met with EDI, CAFN, YG Fisheries and Parks Canada to discuss the survey findings. All groups agreed that more work was necessary to truly understand the complexities of the system as a whole. The ARRC applied to, and was approved for, the RRC Accumulated Surplus Fund to continue and expand on the work that has already been done.
Updates on the work will be posted here.
For additional information, please feel free to contact the ARRC.
After completing the series of snorkel surveys in the summer and fall of 2023 the ARRC was left with more questions than answers on how lake trout use the Kathleen River system. The ARRC met with EDI, CAFN, YG Fisheries and Parks Canada to discuss the survey findings. All groups agreed that more work was necessary to truly understand the complexities of the system as a whole. The ARRC applied to, and was approved for, the RRC Accumulated Surplus Fund to continue and expand on the work that has already been done.
Updates on the work will be posted here.
For additional information, please feel free to contact the ARRC.
Spring 2024 Update
Environment Yukon conducted an angler harvest survey on the Kathleen River during the summer of 2021. Results of the survey indicated a measurable decline in the success rate of anglers targeting lake trout. As a result, the Alsek Renewable Resource Council (ARRC) contracted Environmental Dynamics Incorporated (EDI) to conduct a snorkel survey during the summer of 2023. The survey provided a population assessment, identified the seasonality of lake trout numbers in the system, and established the suitability of snorkel surveys for population estimates for the Kathleen River.
The survey, conducted at two week intervals during the months of August, September and October indicated that approximately 600 lake trout entered and subsequently departed from the system during the survey window. Lake trout were found to be concentrated in groups at specific locations, most likely associated with suitable spawning substrate. Other species including rainbow trout, round whitefish and arctic grayling were noted in proximity to lake trout, which is a potential indicator of lake trout spawning activity.
The ARRC, in collaboration with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation (CAFN), Parks Canada (PC), and Environment Yukon (EY) submitted an application for 2024 project funding to the Accumulated Surplus Fund (ASF), which is administered by the Council of Yukon First Nations. The ARRC was approved for funding, and as a result, additional work is planned for the Kathleen this fall.
EDI will again be conducting surveys in an effort to confirm the seasonality and approximate number of lake trout using the system. Also, additional and more detailed habitat mapping is planned, as well as lake trout DNA collection. Efforts to confirm that spawning is taking place while trout are present will also be undertaken. Anglers will be notified in advance of the survey dates and signage will be posted on site when crews are active on the river.
The ARRC would like to thank the ASF for funding this project, as well as the CAFN Lands and Resources staff, and staff from PC and EY for their contributions and assistance with this project. We’d also like to apologize in advance for any inconvenience the survey activities may cause the angling community, and thank those anglers that the survey crews encountered last year for their patience and understanding.
The survey, conducted at two week intervals during the months of August, September and October indicated that approximately 600 lake trout entered and subsequently departed from the system during the survey window. Lake trout were found to be concentrated in groups at specific locations, most likely associated with suitable spawning substrate. Other species including rainbow trout, round whitefish and arctic grayling were noted in proximity to lake trout, which is a potential indicator of lake trout spawning activity.
The ARRC, in collaboration with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation (CAFN), Parks Canada (PC), and Environment Yukon (EY) submitted an application for 2024 project funding to the Accumulated Surplus Fund (ASF), which is administered by the Council of Yukon First Nations. The ARRC was approved for funding, and as a result, additional work is planned for the Kathleen this fall.
EDI will again be conducting surveys in an effort to confirm the seasonality and approximate number of lake trout using the system. Also, additional and more detailed habitat mapping is planned, as well as lake trout DNA collection. Efforts to confirm that spawning is taking place while trout are present will also be undertaken. Anglers will be notified in advance of the survey dates and signage will be posted on site when crews are active on the river.
The ARRC would like to thank the ASF for funding this project, as well as the CAFN Lands and Resources staff, and staff from PC and EY for their contributions and assistance with this project. We’d also like to apologize in advance for any inconvenience the survey activities may cause the angling community, and thank those anglers that the survey crews encountered last year for their patience and understanding.
