Hhhmmm...very interesting.
Started in 1977, the Cowichan Fish Hatchery is a Salmonid Enhancement facility operated by Cowichan Tribes under contract to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The primary goal of the Hatchery is to raise the wild salmon stock in the Cowichan River system to historical levels through a combination of brood stock and salvage strategies. The facility has a capacity for 3.5 million eggs, but is limited by water availability (the facility uses ground water only) and returning stocks (maximum 30%).
Salmon Fry Release (to 2003)
Chum (since 1976) - 6,0420708
Coho (1982 to 2000*) - 2,438,836
Coho salvaged (since 1976) - 4,992,350
Chinook (since 1979) - 36,386,534
* Brood stock of coho was discontinued in 2001. Research found that wild coho are much stronger and therefore have a much better survival rate.
Cowichan River Watershed Map Code: 920257700 5th Order
Wild Stock Trend: Relatively Stable at Moderate Abundance
Wild Stock Status: Conservation Concern
(Any stocks from Cowichan Lake tribs such as Robertson River are likely extinct or in the ECC zone.)
Class: Augmented (50,000 smolts, Cowichan WR)
Recent Steelhead Escapements: 500-800 Winter Run, H/W Ratio 1:4
Observed Mean Peak Fish/km 1998 -2001: 3.6 WR (but unreliable from snorkel surveys)
Angling Regulations: Steelhead Fishery - Catch and release of wild fish and hatchery retention with daily/annual quotas.
Mean annual effort: Long term 1968-1996: 8,072 / Recent 1997-2000: 5,818 2001/02 (+)
Mean Annual catch: Long term 1968- 1996: 3,507 / Recent 1997-2000: 2,726
Estimated Steelhead Habitat Smolt Capacity & Returning Adults (assuming 13% marine survival)
26,576 smolts / 3400 adults (based on Tredger 1986/Ptolemy 2002 (high end)
Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is 1,020 adults.
Existing Habitat:
watershed area (km2): 1226.8 Comments
mean annual discharge (m3/s): 55 Sediment problems - active slides, logging damage, periodic low summer flows, high temperatures and BOD impacts on lower river. Floodplain at Duncan and Lake Cowichan communities subject to flooding - major encroachment on flood plain - stream channelization impacts mainly chum salmon and rearing areas for other salmonids. Degraded habitat in tributaries above Cowichan Lake. Biomass 800-1000g/Unit at estimated steelhead carrying capacity
Read more...
http://www.bccf.com/steelhead/focus8.htm
quote:Originally posted by old steely man
Hi guys new man here first post!
I started steelhead fishing when i was about 12 in the Chemainus river when my uncle was the gate keeper in coppercanyon few steelhead in there but hay , you got to start some where.
In 86 on the cow i caught and released 209 steelhead from the 25 of Dec to the end of April,still have my recordbook and of all of them 12 were hatchery fish ever since my catch has be going down and down.
I don't know what the answer is but i know the cow can be as it once was i beleave that!
This year ive been out twice with my nephew good fisherman proud of him,hooked into one and my nephew hooked into one thats preaty good if you ask me.I will never catch as many as i once did but if that was the only fish i hooked all year i be a happy man lol.
I don't begrudge any body keeping one or two a year but i would keep it at that but thats me.Thanks for letting me sound off guys.
Mike.
