Coastal Cutthroat Trout

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Christal York
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ago. Today cutthroat trout and rainbow trout co-exist and in British Columbia are known to

Coastal cutthroat are found along the entire coast of British Columbia inward up to 150km on

Blue Listed Species Cutthroat trout are classified as a provincial blue listed species.

Cutthroat depend on small streams for spawning and rearing which often are overlooked in both

1 THE Volume 5, Number 3 The Lakelse Watershed Newsletter Summer 2014 History Coastal Cutthroat Trout Coastal cutthroat and rainbow trout diverged from a common ancestor millions of years ago. Today cutthroat trout and rainbow trout co-exist and in British Columbia are known to hybridize, both naturally, and through human activities. Coastal cutthroat are found along the entire coast of British Columbia inward up to 150km on average. The furthest inland they occur in BC is within the headwaters of the Skeena River. Blue Listed Species Cutthroat trout are classified as a provincial blue listed species. This means they are considered to be in a vulnerable state. Cutthroat depend on small streams for spawning and rearing which often are overlooked in both industry, natural resource and residential development and consequently are easily disturbed and damaged. Maintaining small streams is key to their existence in British Columbia.

Cutthroat Camera Results Part of the issue in British Columbia is that not a lot is known about which tributaries Cutthroat utilize for spawning.

Both Scully Creek and Salmon Creek were selected for camera locations, to see if cutthroat utilize these tributaries for spawning.

2 Cutthroat Camera Results Part of the issue in British Columbia is that not a lot is known about which tributaries Cutthroat utilize for spawning. In the spring two underwater cameras were installed in the Lakelse watershed to monitor cutthroat trout spawning activity. Both Scully Creek and Salmon Creek were selected for camera locations, to see if cutthroat utilize these tributaries for spawning. Salmon Creek Scully Creek Both the cameras documented cutthroat migrating upstream to spawn. Scully Creek was found to be utilized more frequently. Check out the links below to see some live footage from the Salmon Creek camera!! Gaining information from these studies will help us better understand Cutthroat movements and will aid in how to better manage this blue listed species! Seven adult Cutthroat and two juveniles visited Salmon Creek. Stay tuned for the full report on the Scully Creek count and thanks to the Terrace R&G club, the LWSS, the Pienaars, The Greens and the Reynolds for making this project work. Video Links Video 1 - A Coho smolt & 2 Cutthroat Video 2 - A Cutthroat migrating downstream Video 3 - A Cutthroat migrating upstream & a Coho smolt Video 4 - Coho fry, adult & juvenile Cutthroat Trout

Identification Cutthroat trout can be identified by the presence of a reddish orange slash below the jaw, small teeth at the base of their tongue, and a long upper jaw that extends well past the eye.

3 Identification Cutthroat trout can be identified by the presence of a reddish orange slash below the jaw, small teeth at the base of their tongue, and a long upper jaw that extends well past the eye. In addition, compared to all other trout species, Coastal cutthroat trout are heavily spotted over their entire body, including the head and often the belly and fins. Male Female Outside the breeding season it can be difficult to distinguish between the sexes, however there are subtle differences between the sexes in head shape. During the spawning season males develop bright yellow flanks and bellies and a reddish flush on their lower flanks. Spawning females are less colourful than males and have a smaller-rounded head versus the larger-elongated head of the males. Habitat & Diet... Coastal cutthroat prefer smaller streams that are cool to cold and clean, with well oxygenated water for spawning and rearing. Therefore, cutthroat typically inhabit lowland, gravelly lakes and streams. At the juvenile stage the primary food source for cutthroat is invertebrates. As they mature they become highly predatory, feeding on other fish and salmon eggs. Sea-run trout also feed on crustaceans. Lifecycle Coastal cutthroat trout mature between 3 to 4 years of age. Once sexually mature, adult cutthroat return to small tributaries to spawn. Cutthroat prefer small spawning streams with relatively low gradients to lay their eggs. After the female builds a gravel nest with her tail, eggs are laid and fertilized in the gravel. Within two months the eggs hatch and the fry leave the redd. Often there is no obvious redds or spawning aggregation as spawning coastal cutthroat are secretive and skilled at using cover.

Life History Forms Cutthroat trout can be divided into three general life history forms based on migration patterns: non-migratory freshwater - resident form, a migratory freshwater - resident form,

4 Life History Forms Cutthroat trout can be divided into three general life history forms based on migration patterns: non-migratory freshwater - resident form, a migratory freshwater - resident form, and a sea-run (anadromous) form. Early sea-run populations return to small coastal streams in August or September versus late sea-run populations that return between February and April. Spawning may start as early as October but usually peaks in the Spring. Sea-run cutthroat grow to a maximum of 68cm in length and weigh up to 3.6kg. Lake and stream-resident populations show similar spawning patterns and variation in stream entry timing. Resident cutthroat grow to a maximum of 76cm in length and weigh up to 7.7kg. Cutthroat that utilize the Lakelse watershed begin migrating to smaller tributaries to spawn in April and spawning activities peak in the month of May. The cutthroat that inhabit the Lakelse system are possibly a combination of all three life history forms.

While reviewing the footage from the stream we found out that Cutthroat trout do in fact utilize the stream.

5 Mysterious Creature Caught on Camera in Salmon Creek!! Salmon Creek was selected as a location for one of the underwater cameras that was installed in April to investigate Cutthroat movements. While reviewing the footage from the stream we found out that Cutthroat trout do in fact utilize the stream. In addition we found that Coho fry enjoyed the stream and even took up acting, frequently visiting the camera and posing. But perhaps the most unexpected visitor of all was this creature captured in the video below Link to - Mystery Creature Footage Can you name the creature? Submit your answers to Sarah.marie.bouwmeester@gmail.com Stay tuned for more on this mysterious creature!

When introduced outside its native range or outside a backyard ornamental pond, this lily-like plant can be very invasive and a huge nuisance in aquatic environments.

6 INTRODUCED AQUATIC PLANT ALERT!! Yellow Floating Heart - An Introduced Aquatic Plant! (I) Dense floating leaf mats (II) Fringed leaf (aka Fringed waterlily) Background Info Yellow floating heart is native to Eurasia and is commonly sold as an ornamental pond plant in North America. When introduced outside its native range or outside a backyard ornamental pond, this lily-like plant can be very invasive and a huge nuisance in aquatic environments. Spreading rapidly by underwater stems or propagated seeds this aquatic plant has the potential to be very detrimental to lake ecology. By forming dense floating leaf mats (I), Yellow floating heart reduces light penetration, alters nutrient cycling, reduces oxygen levels, displaces native plants, reduces biodiversity, reduces lake esthetics and impedes on recreational activities. Identifying Features The Yellow floating heart, also known as Fringed waterlily, resembles the naturally occurring Yellow pond lily from afar. The Yellow floating heart differs from the pond lily in the size and shape of the leaves and obvious fringes on the petals of the flower (III).

(III) Yellow floating heart - small leaves with overlapping lobes & fringed flower (IV) Yellow pond lily - large leaves with space between lobes and pointed tip Known Locations

It was introduced many years ago unknowingly by previous land owners or visitors of the lake.

Please do your part and perform routine washes to boats and trailers if you are visiting lakes outside the Lakelse area to prevent the spread of Yellow floating heart.

7 (III) Yellow floating heart - small leaves with overlapping lobes & fringed flower (IV) Yellow pond lily - large leaves with space between lobes and pointed tip Known Locations Known populations currently exists on Seymour Lake near Telkwa, and occupy up to 15% of the lake shoreline perimeter. It was introduced many years ago unknowingly by previous land owners or visitors of the lake. Currently Seymour Lake is the only lake which has been reported to have a localized population in the northwest. Please do your part and perform routine washes to boats and trailers if you are visiting lakes outside the Lakelse area to prevent the spread of Yellow floating heart. What you can do If you think you've spotted Yellow floating heart you can use the NWIPC report a weed app available to smart phone users, call their toll free line at WEEDS, or report the weed online at: Kitimat Air Shed Study Released! To view the full report visit :

8 Big Thanks to Ryan Keswick at Brinkman Forest Ltd. For supplying the machine to have the Scully Creek Road Graded!!!!

This time we are using a different camera which enables us to connect to the internet and provide live streaming.

9 Under surveillance in the Watershed Sockeye Salmon Scully Creek On July 21 st one of the underwater fish cameras was installed on Scully Creek in preparation to capture the migrating Sockeye salmon. This time we are using a different camera which enables us to connect to the internet and provide live streaming. The live stream will be turned on by August 7 th and can be viewed by clicking the live stream link below LIVE STREAM OF SCULLY CREEK SOCKEYE lakelsewatershedsociety.com

Seining Sockeye on William Creek 2014 Starting in August we will be seining twice a week for Sockeye at Williams Creek to

Documenting the number of unmarked versus marked Sockeye (those without an adipose fin) will aid in determining a population

Lakelse Water Sampling 2014 We will be conducting water sampling as well this summer.

10 Seining Sockeye on William Creek 2014 Starting in August we will be seining twice a week for Sockeye at Williams Creek to monitor success of the past Fry Outplant Program. Documenting the number of unmarked versus marked Sockeye (those without an adipose fin) will aid in determining a population estimate and the success of the program. Volunteers are Welcome! Lakelse Water Sampling 2014 We will be conducting water sampling as well this summer. Water samples will be collected each Tuesday in August and given to Northern Health for testing. Two samples will be collected from each of the following locations: Furlong Bay, Grouchys Beach and the Picnic Site. Volunteers are Welcome! Please contact Sarah for schedule details! Sarah sarah.marie.bouwmeester@gmail.com

11 Annual BC Lakes Conference The annual BC Lakes conference is being held this September in Terrace! The conference in being held on September 6 th, however we also have an optional Wine & Cheese event on Friday September 5 th as well as a field day on Sunday September 7 th. There are two registration options: (1) the full weekend or (2) just Saturday. Friday September 5th - Wine & Cheese held at the Lakelse Picnic Site. A chance for everyone to mingle and enjoy some appetizers, beer and wine. Chief Councillor Joe Bevan and the Kitselas ceremonial dancers will be there to welcome everyone to the area. Saturday, September 6th - BC Lakes Conference held at the Long House the Northwest Community College. Registration for the conference includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with night entertainment by local artists. The theme of the conference is Retaining Lake Integrity with Economic Prosperity - The Great Challenge" and topics covered will include: Watershed development, Shoreline erosion, A review of the Lakelse Sockeye recovery program, A look at the new application process for funding with the Pacific Salmon Foundation, How water quality effects the food chain and predator/prey relationships, and Kitselas history and traditional uses of lake resources. In addition to the conference there will be various informative displays, such as an invasive weed booth, and a live fish display to name a few! Sunday September 7th - Field Day - A chance to check out some of the environmental projects the Lakelse Watershed Stewardship Society has completed/ or are currently working on. The day will begin with seining for Sockeye at Williams Creek, followed by a tour of projects in the area, including a visit to one of our underwater fish camera locations capturing the migrating Sockeye. Please join us for a weekend of activities! We are also looking for volunteers for the conference who may be able to help with setting up and taking down chairs at the Long House. If you available, please contact me at: sarah.marie.bouwmeester@gmail.com

12 Wetlandkeepers Course The BC Wildlife Federation Wetlands Education Program is putting on a Wetlandkeepers Course in Terrace in September. The course runs from Tuesday, September 2nd to Thursday, September 4th. It is free to participate but requires registration as spaces are limited. To learn more and register visit: Lakelse Watershed Stewards Society August 17 th AGM The Lakelse Watershed Stewards Society will be holding their AGM on Sunday, August 17 th at 2pm at the Mount Layton Hot Springs at Lakelse Lake. Both LWSS members and public are invited!! Coffee and tea provided. At the table sat the Head of the Northcoast DFO Stock Assessment Program, the head of the DFO Ocean and Habitat Enhancement Program, a DFO Sockeye Biologist, a DFO Habitat practitioner, a DFO Restoration Biologist, a provincial Ecosystem Specialist and DFO Community Involvement Staff oh yes, and Ian Maxwell. The conversation was not heated yet, but there was tension in the air. Then an amazing thing happened; Wilma Maxwell brought out a plate of muffins that Julia Child could only have fantasized about. As everyone indulged in the delicacies and looked out through the picture window of Ian and Wilma s living room out onto the lake, the late winter skies cleared, and the Lakelse Sockeye Recovery Program was born. The dictionary makes reference to stewardship as taking responsibility to protect something that everybody benefits from. In the Lakelse Watershed book of definitions there is a much more precise defintion - Ian and Wilma Maxwell. These two have either done it or inspired it. Breaching beaver dams, building Keosks, counting salmon, restoring fish habitat, delivering stewardship

wasps, or just trying to stay warm and dry as you work on a creek on a miserable evening. The positive thing is, you become friends. When friends leave, it becomes sad.

13 propaganda to new residents of the lake and so much more oh not to mention sending letters to the Prime Ministers Office. There is real positive when you hang out with folks like Ian and Wilma and you share a bit of beaver mud or sockeye sperm, or maybe go a little to far over your waders, or scramble to get away from wasps, or just trying to stay warm and dry as you work on a creek on a miserable evening. The positive thing is, you become friends. When friends leave, it becomes sad. If we could decode the pounding of the waves on the beaches of the Lakelse they would tell you that it is losing two of its finest stewards, something that many of us already know. One thing that is for certain, wherever Ian and Wilma end up, the community will benefit, the environment will benefit and if you get a chance to work or play with them, you will too!!! "When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. Muir, John

Lakelse Sockeye Recovery Program

Lakelse Sockeye Recovery Program The Ninth Annual BC Interior Stewardship Workshop May 7 th and 8 th, 2013 DFO North Coast Resource Restoration Unit Presentation Overview History/background Stock and habitat