Williston Lake Trout Project
What is the Williston Lake Trout Project? It's a community and science-based initiative intended to understand and protect a phenomenal fishery.Here's some background from https://www.facebook.com/WillistonLakeTrout/info
SEEING THE BIG PICTURE - Top predators like lake trout only do well if their prey are healthy and abundant. Studying lake trout habitat use and prey selection will help us understand the entire ecosystem, including abundance of kokanee – their preferred prey - and other prey species like endangered arctic grayling.
BUILDING ON INVESTMENT - Public investment in kokanee stocking programs in the 1990s led serendipitously to at least $14 million equity in Williston lake trout. Without a lake trout research and monitoring program in place this investment is at risk because long-term health of the fishery is uncertain.
PHENOMENAL FISHING - Williston Lake, "where the really BIG ones are." We want to keep it that way. You can help.
PROACTIVE APPROACH - Little is known about lake trout ecology in Williston Reservoir. Changes in fish stocking programs, fluctuating reservoir drawdown levels, proposals for increased industrial barge traffic, new water use licenses, improvements to recreational boat launch facilities, and efforts to increase sport fishingin B.C. all have potential to impact the Williston lake trout fishery. Relevant research now would provide better information for sustainable management of lake trout into the future.
PREDICTING THE FUTURE - Studying Williston lake trout can help to identify management strategies for other freshwater ecosystems. The Williston Lake Trout Project will provide data on habitat variability and lake trout tolerance to habitat changes. Dynamic systems like reservoirs provide opportunities to understand and predict species responses to climate change.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT - A sustainable trophy fishery can support regional economic diversification for jobs, small business, and tourism. Williston’s lake trout fishing, recreational facilities, and local fishing derbies are attracting hundreds of anglers from across northeast BC and northern Alberta.
INDEPENDENT SCIENCE - This is community-driven research led by local, independent, professional biologists with a track record for delivering high quality results in collaborative projects. Our focus is on practical, solutions-oriented research to support long-term sustainability of natural resources and tangible benefits to local communities.We need your help to make it happen!Please tell your friends about the Williston Lake Trout Project and ask them to 'like' our Facebook page.Every Like shows funding agencies that there is public support for independent science and community-based projects like this.