Angler Survey on the Sheep and Highwood Rivers, 2017

Angler Survey on the Sheep and Highwood Rivers, 2017

Angler Survey on the Sheep and Highwood Rivers, 2017 Kevin Fitzsimmons Alberta Conservation Association PO Box 144 Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1A4

Report Editors PETER AKU Alberta Conservation Association 101 9 Chippewa Rd. Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6J7 NYREE SHARP c/o Alberta Conservation Association 101 9 Chippewa Rd. Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6J7 Conservation Report Series Type Data ISBN: 978-0-9959984-3-8 Reproduction and Availability: This report and its contents may be reproduced in whole, or in part, provided that this title page is included with such reproduction and/or appropriate acknowledgements are provided to the authors and sponsors of this project. Suggested Citation: Fitzsimmons, K. 2018. Angler Survey on the Sheep and Highwood Rivers, 2017. Data Report, produced by Alberta Conservation Association, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. 21 pp. + App. Cover photo credit: David Fairless Digital copies of conservation reports can be obtained from: Alberta Conservation Association 101 9 Chippewa Rd. Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6J7 Toll Free: 1-877-969-9091 Tel: (780) 410-1998 Fax: (780) 464-0990 Email: info@ab-conservation.com Website: www.ab-conservation.com i

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Sheep and Highwood rivers are popular trout angling destinations in the Bow River drainage of Alberta, yet very little quantitative data exists on these fisheries. From June 16 through October 31, 2017, we conducted angler surveys on these rivers to generate current information that will aid Alberta Environment and Parks in managing these popular recreational fisheries. We estimated fishing effort from aerial angler counts, while fish catch, trip length and other pertinent demographic information were collected from angler interviews during roving surveys. We used bootstrapping techniques to derive estimates and confidence intervals for creel metrics. On the Sheep River, we counted and interviewed 282 and 93 anglers, respectively. We estimated that anglers fished for 19,829 hours (15,952 23,920), made 6,284 trips (4,467 8,760), and the average trip length was 2.9 hours. Fly fishing was more commonly practiced than spin casting, and angler use of access sites varied among the identified sites with urban areas and developed recreational facilities having greater use. Total release of all fish was 14,236 (95% CI = 11,117 17,645) on the Sheep River, with rainbow trout the most abundantly released fish at 10,473 (95% CI = 8,066 13,164). The only harvest of fish reported by anglers was one mountain whitefish from the Sandy McNabb site on June 26, 2017. On the Highwood River, we counted and interviewed 494 and 228 anglers, respectively. We estimated that anglers fished for 39,581 hours (31,328 49,227), made 9,474 trips (7,221 12,240), and the average trip length was 4.4 hours. Fly fishing was more commonly practiced than spin casting, and angler use of identified access sites did not show any clear patterns of preference. Total release of all fish was 20,886 (95% CI = 16,901 25,234) on the Highwood River, with rainbow trout the most abundantly released fish at 10,269 (95% CI = 8,357 12,382). No harvest of fish was reported by anglers. Key words: angler survey, angler effort, angler interviews, Highwood River, Sheep River, instantaneous angler counts, sport fishery. ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank Alberta Conservation Association staff Lindsay Dowbush and Russell Kondro for assistance with data collection. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (Calgary Wildfire Management Area) provided landing space at the Highwood fire base and flight tracking for aerial angler counts. iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...iii 1.0 INTRODUCTION... 5 2.0 STUDY AREA... 5 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS... 7 3.1 Survey design... 7 3.2 Angler interviews... 7 3.3 Instantaneous angler counts... 8 3.4 Estimation of creel parameters... 9 4.0 RESULTS... 10 4.1 Sheep River... 10 4.2 Highwood River... 15 5.0 SUMMARY... 20 6.0 LITERATURE CITED... 21 7.0 APPENDICES... 22 1

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. The Sheep and Highwood river study reaches, angler access points and instantaneous angler count locations, for the 2017 angler survey.... 6 Figure 2. Access-point use by anglers on the Sheep River during the 2017 angler survey.... 11 Figure 3. Access-point use by anglers on the Highwood River during the 2017 angler survey...... 15 2

LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Table 2. Table 3. Table 4. Table 5. Table 6. Table 7. Table 8. Table 9. Number of survey shifts completed during the angler survey on the Sheep River and on Reach 1 and 2 of the Highwood River, 2017.... 8 Number of instantaneous angler aerial angler surveys completed on the Sheep and Highwood rivers, 2017.... 9 Summary of angler interviews completed on the Sheep and Highwood rivers, 2017.... 11 Estimated angler effort (hours) and number of trips by season and reach on the Sheep River, 2017.... 13 Total catch rates (number of fish/hour) for Reaches 1 and 2 of the Sheep River study area, 2017.... 13 Estimated angler released fish in Reaches 1 and 2 of the Sheep River study area, 2017.... 14 Estimated angler effort (hours) and number of trips by season and reach on the Highwood River, 2017.... 17 Total catch rates (number of fish/hour) for Reaches 1 and 2 of the Highwood River study area, 2017.... 18 Estimated angler released fish in Reaches 1 and 2 of the Highwood River study area, 2017.... 19 3

LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1. Appendix 2. Appendix 3. Appendix 4. Data from angler interviews on the Sheep River, 2017.Error! Bookmark not defined. Instantaneous angler counts from the Sheep River, 2017.Error! Bookmark not defined. Data from angler interviews on the Highwood River, 2017.Error! Bookmark not defined. Instantaneous angler counts from the Highwood River, 2017.Error! Bookmark not defined. 4

1.0 INTRODUCTION Attracting both resident and non-resident anglers, the Sheep and Highwood rivers are considered destination trout fishing streams in the Bow River drainage of Alberta. One of the tools used to effectively manage these sport fisheries is an angler survey, from which metrics such as angling effort and trip length (hours), angler trip numbers, and fish harvest and release can be derived. While angler surveys have been completed on nearby rivers (Thompson 1977, Sosiak 1987, R.L. & L. Environmental Services 1995, Ripley and Council 2006, Fitzsimmons 2017), formal angler surveys have never been completed on the Sheep and Highwood rivers, two major tributaries in the Bow River drainage that are suspected to receive high angling pressure. The main objective of this angler survey was to provide current information on the sport fisheries in the Sheep and Highwood rivers to aid Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) in managing these important fisheries. 2.0 STUDY AREA The Sheep and Highwood river study area is located immediately south-southwest of the city of Calgary (Figure 1). Study streams originate in the Alpine and Subalpine Natural Subregions, and flow through the Montane, Foothills Parkland and Foothills Fescue Subregions (Natural Regions Committee 2006). The upper portions of our study streams (relative to the lower portions) are characterized by higher elevation and gradient, and greater public access for angling. Based on these differences, it is hypothesised that upper reaches may have greater angler effort (P. Christensen, AEP, personal communication); consequently we stratified both study streams into an upper and lower reach with Highway 22 as a landmark dividing them (Figure1). Surveys were conducted on an 82.9-km section of the Sheep River from Gorge Creek downstream to the confluence with the Highwood River (Figure 1). Reach 1 is a 40.7-km section of the river extending from Gorge Creek to the Highway 22 bridge. This reach is surrounded by parks and protected areas in its upper portion, and privately owned land in its lower portion, and includes the town of Turner Valley. Reach 2 is a 42.2-km section of the river extending from the Highway 22 bridge to the confluence with the Highwood River. This reach is surrounded by privately owned land and includes the towns of Black Diamond and Okotoks. Surveys were conducted on 161.5 km of the Highwood River from its headwaters at the confluence of Storm and Mist creeks to its confluence with the Bow River (Figure 1). Reach 1 is a 74.3-km section of river extending from the confluence of Storm and Mists creeks to the Highway 22 bridge near Longview. This section of the river is surrounded by parks and protected areas in its upper portion and privately owned land in its lower portion. Reach 2 is an 87.2-km section of the river extending from the Highway 22 bridge near Longview to the confluence with the Bow River. This reach is surrounded by privately owned land and includes the town of High River. 5

Figure 1. The Sheep and Highwood river study reaches, angler access points and instantaneous angler count locations, for the 2017 angler survey. Inset is map of Alberta showing location of study area. 6

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1 Survey design From June 16 to October 31, 2017, we conducted an aerial-access-type angler survey on the Sheep and Highwood rivers following Malvestuto (1983) and Pollock et al. (1994). Anglerspecific data, such as angler trip length, fish catch, and angler demographics, were collected by creel technicians who roved between access points interviewing anglers. This design was chosen because there are numerous access points to the river, each with varying levels of angler use. Allowing technicians to rove between all access points increased the total number of angler interviews obtained over the course of the survey. Angling effort was estimated from instantaneous angler counts obtained from aerial overflights of rivers. 3.2 Angler interviews Our angler interview schedule followed a ten-day cycle of seven days on shift and three days off. Survey days were randomly assigned a temporal shift of a.m. (0800 1500 hours) or p.m. (1500 2200 hours) on both rivers and spatially to Highwood River Reach 1, or Highwood River Reach 2; angler interviews shifts were completed on the entire study reach of the Sheep River during each shift. This schedule produced uneven allocation of survey effort on weekdays and weekends and the completion of 23 survey shifts on the Sheep River and 22 and 23 shifts, respectively, on Reach 1 and 2 of the Highwood River (Table 1). Specific sampling sites (Figure 1) were identified from aerial and ground reconnaissance completed in 2016 and from local knowledge about site use by anglers. Angler interviews consisted of both complete and incomplete trip data. We asked anglers a series of questions including number of hours fished; number of fish by species caught, harvested, and released; their river access site; fishing gear used; and their permanent residence. If anglers harvested fish, survey crew requested permission to sample these fish to record fork length, total length, weight, sex, and maturity, and to collect aging structures. 7

Table 1. Number of survey shifts completed during the angler survey on the Sheep River and on Reach 1 and 2 of the Highwood River, 2017. River Reach Strata Number of surveys conducted Sheep Both Weekday Weekend a.m. 6 p.m. 4 a.m. 8 p.m. 5 Highwood Reach 1 Reach 2 Weekday Weekend Weekday Weekend a.m. 6 p.m. 10 a.m. 4 p.m. 2 a.m. 12 p.m. 8 a.m. 2 p.m. 1 3.3 Instantaneous angler counts Between June 23 and October 13, 2017, we conducted 28 instantaneous angler counts via aerial surveys using a Robinson R44 helicopter based out of Springbank Airport (Table 2). Previous upper Bow River angler counts from R.L. & L. Environmental Services (1995) were used to select the total number of counts scheduled for this survey. This number was based on 25 30 flights being adequate to estimate the mean number of anglers within 95% confidence limits. Days for aerial overflights were selected at random from all available survey days, with the probability of selecting weekday and weekend/holiday flights adjusted so the final draw had equal numbers of flights on weekdays and weekends/holidays. Overflights were assigned to time blocks roughly equivalent to the time to complete a count (Pollock et al. 1994). Start times for surveys were either 0800, 1030 or 1300 hours for a.m. shifts and 1400, 1630 or 1900 hours for p.m. shifts. When weather conditions prevented safe flight (low visibility, high wind, or thunderstorm activity), surveys were rescheduled by randomly selecting a new date from the pool of available dates. The distribution of flights over weekdays and weekends/holidays and a.m. and p.m. is shown in Table 2. Each aerial survey commenced at the Highwood House access point (Figure 1). From there, surveys were completed in either a clockwise direction (i.e., up the Highwood River mainstem, down the Sheep River mainstem, and back up the Highwood River ending at Highwood House) or a counterclockwise direction (i.e. down the Highwood River mainstem, up the Sheep River mainstem, and back down the Highwood River 8

ending at Highwood House) that was chosen prior to the flight with the toss of a coin. Angler counts were conducted with two observers on each flight. Both observers were on the left side of the aircraft, with the front observer counting anglers and marking their position on a handheld global positioning system (GPS) unit while the back observer verified angler counts and recorded waypoint names and angler numbers. Flights were flown at target airspeed of 90 110 km/h and 150 m above ground level. Following Canadian Aviation Regulations, flight altitude was increased to a minimum of 305 m over residential areas (Turner Valley, Black Diamond, Okotoks, and High River). Flight altitude was voluntarily increased to a minimum of 305 m over the Sheep River Provincial Park to minimize impacts on sensitive wildlife. The aircraft was maneuvered so that the two observers on the left side had unobstructed views of the entire river channel. When observers were uncertain about angler counts, or river features (braids, cliffs, etc.) prevented adequate observations of the entire river, the pilot circled the area until observers confirmed angler counts. Angler counts were assisted with the use of imagestabilizing binoculars. Table 2. Number of instantaneous angler aerial angler surveys completed on the Sheep and Highwood rivers, 2017. River Strata Number of surveys conducted Sheep Highwood Weekday Weekend Weekday Weekend a.m. 8 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. 8 a.m. 11 p.m. 5 a.m. 6 p.m. 6 3.4 Estimation of creel parameters We used bootstrapping (50,000 replicates) to derive estimates and associated 95% confidence intervals for angler effort, number of angler trips, and fish catch, harvest and release (Sullivan 2004). Angler catch rates were calculated as total ratio estimators following Malvestuto (1983), using the recommendation of Pollock et al. (1997) to only include angler interviews where angling time is greater than 0.5 hours. Bootstrapped instantaneous angler counts produced a distribution of mean angler counts used as the basis for calculating survey metrics. This was completed independently for each survey reach by season: spring/summer (June, July, and August) and fall (September and October). Before bootstrapping, a two-sample t-test was conducted to assess differences between weekday and weekend/holiday angler counts. Significant results dictated separate bootstrapping of weekday and weekend/holiday data, then 9

combining these, whereas non-significant results dictated bootstrapping of the combined weekday and weekend counts. Angler count distributions multiplied by the available angling hours provided estimates and confidence intervals for angling effort (hours). A two-way ANOVA was used to assess differences in angler trip length by reach and season. Significant results dictated separate bootstrap estimates of trip length by reach and/or season, whereas nonsignificant results dictated bootstrapping of the combined trip length dataset. Estimates of creel survey parameters were calculated using the R software package (R Core Team 2017). 4.0 RESULTS 4.1 Sheep River 4.1.1 Angler interviews We interviewed 93 anglers who reported 207.5 hours of fishing. The majority (89%) were residents of Calgary and the surrounding area (Table 3, Appendix 1) and the mean completed angling trip length was 2.9 hours (SD = 2.1). Fly fishing was more commonly practiced than spin casting (Table 3) and angler use of access sites varied among the identified sites; however, urban areas and developed recreational facilities (e.g., Okotoks and Sandy Mcnabb day use area) showed greater frequency of use (Figure 2). Rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) were the most frequently captured fish at 64.1%, followed by mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) at 23.9%, bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) at 6.3%, and cutthroat trout (Oncorhyncus clarki) at 5.6% (Table 3). The only harvest of fish reported by anglers was one mountain whitefish from the Sandy McNabb site on June 26, 2017. 10

Frequency of use 0 10 20 30 Table 3. Summary of angler interviews completed on the Sheep and Highwood rivers, 2017. Interview item Sheep Highwood River Highwood River River Reach 1 Reach 2 Anglers interviewed 93 179 49 Angling hours reported 207.50 715.75 133 Alberta residents 92 172 49 Canadian residents (outside of Alberta) 7 Unknown residence 1 Number of brook trout + 5 3 Number of bull trout + 9 16 1 Number of brown trout + 1 2 Number of burbot + 1 Number of cutthroat trout + 8 114 Number of cutthroat x rainbow trout + 26 Number of mountain whitefish + 34 25 34 Number of rainbow trout + 91 179 38 Spin casting 33 28 22 Fly fishing 60 151 27 + Released fish numbers Highwood River (n = 228) Reach1 Reach 2 Highwood House Eyrie Gap Sentinal Fir Ck. Highwood PRA Deep Ck. Eden Valley Greenford Flat Ck. Cat Ck. Fitzsimmons Ck. Access 6 Access 5 Access 4 Access 3 Access 2 Access 1 Longview Hogg Park Aldersyde 96 St. Hwy. 547 HWY 552 Nature's Hideaway Angler access site Figure 2. Access-point use by anglers on the Sheep River during the 2017 angler survey. Sites are arranged on the x-axis from upstream to downstream. 11

4.1.2 Angler counts, angler effort, and sport fish released During aerial surveys we counted a total of 282 anglers, with shore-based access accounting for 99.3% of anglers (n = 280), while only 0.70% (n = 2) were boat anglers (Appendix 3). Reach 2 had a higher total angler count at 172, with Reach 1 at 110. Estimated angler effort (hours) ranged from 7,317 in Reach 1 to 12,512 in Reach 2, with a combined total of 19,829 (Table 4). Angler trip numbers were similar between reaches with a combined total of 6,284 (Table 4). Total catch rates ranged from 0.038 for bull trout in Reach 2 to 0.712 for rainbow trout in Reach 2 (Table 5). Estimated total release of all fish species (Table 6) was 14,234 (95% CI = 11,117 17,645). Rainbow trout were the most abundantly released fish at 10,474 (95% CI = 8,066 13,164), followed by mountain whitefish at 2,637 (95% CI = 1,926 3,382), bull trout at 742 (95% CI = 581 912), and cutthroat trout at 383 (95% CI = 254 505). 12

Table 4. Estimated angler effort (hours) and number of trips by season and reach on the Sheep River, 2017. Angler effort (hours) Reach 1 Reach 2 Seasonal total Mean 95% CI Mean 95% CI Mean 95% CI Spring/Summer 5,523 3,688 7,344 8,416 5,967 11,151 13,939 10,840 17,230 Fall 1,794 769 2,901 4,096 2,133 6,400 5,890 3,369 8,448 Survey total 7,317 5,199 9,439 12,512 9,325 16,054 19,829 15,952 23,920 Angler trips Spring/Summer 2,337 1,420 3,432 2,148 1,226 3,652 4,485 3,115 6,270 Fall 753 302 1,309 1,046 478 1,672 1,799 1,023 2,834 Survey total 3,090 1,693 4,425 3,194 1,887 5,329 6,284 4,467 8,760 Table 5. Total catch rates (number of fish/hour) for Reaches 1 and 2 of the Sheep River study area, 2017. Catch rate (fish/h) Spring/Summer Fall Total Reach 1 Bull trout 0.052 NA 0.052 Cutthroat trout 0.070 NA 0.070 Mountain whitefish 0.232 NA 0.206 Rainbow trout 0.181 NA 0.181 Reach 2 Bull trout 0.027 0.055 0.038 Mountain whitefish 0.027 0.274 0.274 Rainbow trout 0.781 0.712 0.712 13

Table 6. Estimated angler released fish in Reaches 1 and 2 of the Sheep River study area, 2017. Number of fish released Spring/Summer Fall Total Mean 95% CI Mean 95% CI Mean 95% CI Reach 1 Bull trout 288 190 378 NA NA 288 190 378 Cutthroat trout 383 254 505 NA NA 383 254 505 Mountain whitefish 1,286 857 1,705 NA NA 1,286 857 1,705 Rainbow trout 1,004 666 1,326 NA NA 1,004 666 1,326 Reach 2 Bull trout 230 164 305 224 117 351 454 326 600 Mountain whitefish 230 164 305 1,120 585 1,753 1,350 809 1,984 Rainbow trout 6,556 4,659 8,685 2,913 1,520 4,559 9,469 7,063 12,122 14

Frequency of use 0 10 20 30 4.2 Highwood River 4.2.1 Angler interviews We interviewed 228 anglers who reported 848.75 hours of fishing. The majority (88%) were residents of Calgary and the surrounding area (Table 3, Appendix 2) and the overall mean completed angling trip length was 4.4 hours (SD = 2.7), with 4.7 hours (SD = 2.7), and 3.2 hours (SD = 2.6) at reaches 1 and 2, respectively. Fly fishing was more commonly practiced than spin casting (Table 3) and angler use of identified access sites did not show any clear patterns of preference (Figure 3). Rainbow trout were the most frequently captured species at 48.5%, followed by cutthroat trout at 25.5%, mountain whitefish at 13.2%, cutthroat x rainbow hybrids at 5.8%, and bull trout at 3.8%. Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) together constituted less than 2.5% of the total catch (Table 3). Sheep River (n = 93) Reach 1 Reach 2 Gorge Ck. Bighorn Sandy McNabb 482 St. 434 Ave. Decalta Rd Turner Valley Black Diamond Rng. Rd. 21 Rng. Rd. 20 Okotoks 370 Ave. 96 St. Angler access site Figure 3. Access-point use by anglers on the Highwood River during the 2017 angler survey. Sites are arranged on the x-axis from upstream to downstream. 15

4.2.2 Angler counts, angler effort, and sport fish released During aerial surveys we counted a total of 494 anglers, all with shore-based access; there were no boat anglers (Appendix 4). Reach 1 had a higher total angler count at 382, with Reach 2 at 112. Estimated angler effort (hours) ranged from 9,645 in Reach 2 to 29,936 in Reach 1, with a combined total of 39,581 (Table 7). Angler trips ranged from 3,100 in Reach 2 to 6,347 in Reach 1 with a combined total of 9,474 (Tables 7). Total catch rates ranged from 0.001 for brown trout in Reach 1 to 0.286 for rainbow trout in Reach 2 (Table 8). Estimated total release of all fish species (Table 9) was 20,886 (95% CI = 16,901 25,234). Rainbow trout were the most abundantly released fish at 10,269 (95% CI = 8,357 12,382), followed by cutthroat trout at 4,656 (95% CI = 3,631 5,782), mountain whitefish at 3,393 (95% CI = 2,438 4,387), cutthroat x rainbow trout at 1,088 (95% CI = 822 1,400), bull trout at 731 (95% CI = 589 883), brook trout at 397 (95% CI = 265 536), burbot at 187 (95% CI = 69 306), and brown trout at 165 (95% CI = 87 244). 16

Table 7. Estimated angler effort (hours) and number of trips by season and reach on the Highwood River, 2017. Reach 1 Reach 2 Seasonal total Mean 95% CI Mean 95% CI Mean 95% CI Angler effort (hours) Spring/Summer 19,914 15,386 24,697 5,303 3,669 6,915 25,217 20,417 30,292 Fall 10,022 4,297 17,903 4,342 1,611 7,090 14,364 7,913 22,719 Survey total 29,936 22,353 39,048 9,645 6,543 12,847 39,581 31,328 49,227 Angler trips Spring/Summer 4,239 3176 5435 1,703 1,008 2,697 5,942 4,652 7,464 Fall 2,135 922 3,832 1,397 499 2,582 3,532 1,910 5,584 Survey total 6,374 4,641 8,522 3,100 1,786 4,956 9,474 7,221 12,240 17

Table 8. Total catch rates (number of fish/hour) for Reaches 1 and 2 of the Highwood River study area, 2017. Catch rate (fish/h) Spring/Summer Fall Total Reach 1 Brook trout 0.006 0.009 0.007 Bull trout 0.028 0.009 0.022 Brown trout 0.002 NA 0.001 Cutthroat trout 0.038 0.033 0.036 Cutthroat x rainbow 0.189 0.089 0.159 Mountain whitefish 0.038 0.028 0.035 Rainbow trout 0.277 0.187 0.25 Reach 2 Brook trout NA 0.043 0.023 Bull trout 0.016 0.008 Brown trout NA 0.029 0.015 Burbot NA 0.043 0.023 Mountain whitefish 0.173 0.331 0.256 Rainbow trout 0.378 0.201 0.286 18

Table 9. Estimated angler released fish in Reaches 1 and 2 of the Highwood River study area, 2017. Number of fish released Spring/Summer Fall Total Mean 95% CI Mean 95% CI Mean 95% CI Reach 1 Brook trout 119 92 148 90 39 161 209 150 286 Bull trout 558 431 692 90 39 161 648 508 797 Brown trout 40 31 49 NA NA 40 31 49 Cutthroat trout 3,764 2,908 4,668 892 382 1,593 4,656 3,631 5,782 Cutthroat x rainbow trout 757 585 938 331 142 591 1,088 822 1,400 Mountain whitefish 757 585 938 281 120 501 1,038 793 1,319 Rainbow trout 5,516 4,262 6,841 1,874 803 3,348 7,390 5,677 9,345 Reach 2 Brook trout NA NA 187 70 306 187 70 306 Bull trout 84 58 109 NA NA 84 58 109 Brown trout NA NA 125 46 204 125 46 204 Burbot NA NA 187 70 306 187 70 306 Mountain whitefish 918 639 1,198 1,437 533 2,246 2,355 1,440 3,311 Rainbow trout 2,004 1,386 2,613 875 324 1,428 2,878 2,058 3712 19

5.0 SUMMARY Our survey provides quantitative estimates of angler effort, trip length, trip numbers, and fish harvest and release by anglers on the Sheep and Highwood rivers. While anecdotal evidence suggested that the Sheep and Highwood rivers are popular angling destinations, our estimates provide the most recent quantitative evidence as well as serve as a baseline for comparison over time and to other Eastern Slope streams. 20

6.0 LITERATURE CITED Fitzsimmons, K. 2017. A creel-based assessment of the Upper Bow and Elbow River sport fisheries. 2016. Data report, produced by Alberta Conservation Association, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. 12 pp. + App. Natural Regions Committee. (2006). Natural regions and subregions of Alberta. Compiled by D.J. Downing and W.W. Pettapiece. Government of Alberta, Pub. No. T/852. Malvestuto, S.P. 1983. Sampling the recreational creel. Chapter 20. In: Murphy, B.R., and D.W. Willis (eds.). Fisheries techniques. 2nd Edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A. 732 pp. Pollock, K.H., C.M. Jones, and T.L. Brown. 1994. Angler survey methods and their applications in fisheries management. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. 371 pp. Pollock, K.H., J.M. Hoenig, C.M. Jones, D.S. Robson, and C. J. Greene. 1997. Catch rate estimation for roving and access point surveys. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 17: 11-19. R Core Team. 2017. R: a language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. URL: https://www.r-project.org/. R.L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd. 1995. A creel survey of the upper Bow River, 1991 1992. R.L. & L. No. 299F, report prepared for Fisheries Management Division, Alberta Environmental Protection, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 77 pp. + App. Ripley, T.D., and T. Council. 2006. Bow River sport fish angler survey, 2006. Data report, D- 2007003, produced by the Alberta Conservation Association, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada and Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 28 pp. + App. Sosiak, A.J. 1987. A fisheries survey on the Bow River from Bearspaw Dam to Carseland, Alberta, in 1985. Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife, Calgary, Alberta. 51 pp. + App. Sullivan, M.G. 2004. Computer simulation of sport fishery parameters. Produced by Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 16 pp. Thompson, G.E. 1977. Bow River creel census. Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division, unpublished report. 56 pp. + App. 21

7.0 APPENDICES Appendix 1. Data from angler interviews on the Sheep River, 2017. Species codes: BKTR = brook trout, BLTR = bull trout, CTTR = cutthroat trout, MNWH = mountain whitefish, RNTR = rainbow trout. Other codes: SAA = same angler as above, NA = not applicable. Date d/m/y Angler count Location Time fished (hours) Complete trip Angler residence Species Total released 17/06/2017 1 Bighorn 2.5 Y Calgary NA 0 17/06/2017 1 Bighorn 2.5 Y Calgary NA 0 24/06/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 1.25 N Cochrane RNTR 1 24/06/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 6 N Calgary CTTR 1 24/06/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 6 N Calgary NA 0 25/06/2017 1 Gorge Ck. 1.5 Y Calgary NA 0 25/06/2017 1 Gorge Ck. 1.5 Y Calgary NA 0 25/06/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 2 N Okotoks MNWH 0 25/06/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 0.5 N Turner Valley NA 0 25/06/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 0.5 N Turner Valley NA 0 25/06/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 0.5 N Turner Valley NA 0 25/06/2017 1 Okotoks 3 Y Okotoks RNTR 2 26/06/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 1.5 N Okotoks MNWH 3 02/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 3 Y Out of Province NA 0 02/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 3 Y Okotoks NA 0 14/07/2017 1 482 St. 2 Y Airdrie RNTR 2 14/07/2017 1 Turner Valley 8.5 Y Calgary BLTR 2 14/07/2017 SAA Turner Valley NA NA NA MNWH 2 14/07/2017 SAA Turner Valley NA NA NA RNTR 3 14/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 0.5 N Rural Alberta BLTR 1 14/07/2017 1 Turner Valley 3 Y Black Diamond NA 0 14/07/2017 1 Turner Valley 3 Y Calgary NA 0 14/07/2017 1 Okotoks 1.5 N Okotoks BLTR 1 14/07/2017 1 Okotoks 0.5 N Okotoks NA 0 15/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 1.5 Y Cochrane BLTR 1 15/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 1.5 Y Cochrane NA 0 15/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 6 N Calgary BLTR 1 15/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 6 N Calgary NA 0 15/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 6 N Calgary NA 0 15/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 0.5 N High River NA 0 15/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 15/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 0.5 N High River NA 0 15/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 22

Appendix 1. Continued. Date d/m/y Angler count Location Time fished (hours) Complete trip Angler residence Species Total released 15/07/2017 1 Gorge Ck. 1 Y Calgary NA 0 15/07/2017 1 Gorge Ck. 1 Y Calgary NA NA 15/07/2017 1 Gorge Ck. 1 Y Calgary NA NA 15/07/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 2 N Rural Alberta MNWH 13 15/07/2017 SAA Decalta Rd. NA NA NA RNTR 4 15/07/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 0.5 N Black Diamond NA NA 15/07/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 0.5 N Black Diamond NA NA 15/07/2017 1 Decalta Rd. 0.5 N Turner Valley RNTR 1 15/07/2017 1 Okotoks 0.5 N Okotoks NA 0 15/07/2017 1 Okotoks 0.5 N Okotoks NA 0 15/07/2017 1 Okotoks 0.75 N Okotoks RNTR 3 15/07/2017 1 Rng. Rd. 21 2 Y Calgary RNTR 1 16/07/2017 1 Turner Valley 1.5 N Turner Valley MNWH 7 16/07/2017 SAA Turner Valley NA NA NA RNTR 1 16/07/2017 1 Okotoks 0.75 N Okotoks RNTR 1 16/07/2017 1 Okotoks 1 N Okotoks NA 0 16/07/2017 1 Okotoks 1 N Okotoks NA 0 16/07/2017 1 Okotoks 1 N Okotoks NA 0 16/07/2017 1 Okotoks 1 N Okotoks NA 0 23/07/2017 1 Okotoks 0.5 N Okotoks NA 0 23/07/2017 1 Okotoks 4 N Okotoks NA 0 25/07/2017 1 96 St. 0.5 Y Okotoks NA 0 25/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 1 N Calgary MNWH 1 25/07/2017 SAA Sandy McNabb NA NA NA RNTR 1 25/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 1 N Okotoks RNTR 1 26/07/2017 1 Turner Valley 3 N Calgary CTTR 1 26/07/2017 1 Turner Valley 3 N Calgary CTTR 5 26/07/2017 SAA Turner Valley NA NA NA BLTR 1 26/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 1 N Lethbridge NA 0 26/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 1 N Lethbridge NA 0 26/07/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 1 N Lethbridge NA 0 26/07/2017 1 Rng. Rd. 20 3 N Edmonton RNTR 0 26/07/2017 1 Rng. Rd. 20 3 N Rural Alberta NA 0 26/07/2017 1 Okotoks 0.5 N Okotoks NA 0 26/07/2017 1 Okotoks 0.5 N Okotoks NA 0 26/07/2017 1 Okotoks 0.5 N Okotoks NA 0 06/08/2017 1 Turner Valley 2 Y Black Diamond RNTR 1 23

Appendix 1. Continued. Date d/m/y Angler count Location Time fished (hours) Complete trip Angler residence Species Total released 06/08/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 3 Y Calgary NA 0 06/08/2017 1 Sandy McNabb 3 Y Calgary NA 0 06/08/2017 1 Black Diamond 1.5 N Turner Valley NA 0 06/08/2017 1 Turner Valley 0.5 N Turner Valley NA 0 06/08/2017 1 Turner Valley 0.5 N Turner Valley NA 0 12/08/2017 1 Turner Valley 3 N Calgary RNTR 4 12/08/2017 1 Turner Valley 3 N Calgary RNTR 2 12/08/2017 1 Turner Valley 3 N Calgary NA 0 12/08/2017 Turner Valley 3 N Edmonton CTTR 1 13/08/2017 1 434 Ave. 2 Y Turner Valley MNWH 1 13/08/2017 1 434 Ave. 2 Y Turner Valley NA 0 13/08/2017 1 96 St. 5.5 N Black Diamond RNTR 2 13/08/2017 1 96 St. 8.25 Y Calgary RNTR 1 13/08/2017 1 96 St. 8.25 Y Calgary NA 0 13/08/2017 1 370 Ave. 2 N Calgary RNTR 3 16/08/2017 1 Okotoks 5.5 N Okotoks RNTR 6 16/08/2017 1 Okotoks 5.5 N Okotoks RNTR 15 16/08/2017 SAA Okotoks NA NA NA MNWH 2 16/08/2017 1 Okotoks 5.5 N Okotoks RNTR 20 16/08/2017 1 370 Ave. 2.5 N Calgary BLTR 1 16/08/2017 1 370 Ave. 2.5 N Calgary RNTR 3 04/09/2017 1 Okotoks 0.75 N Other NA 0 12/09/2017 1 Okotoks 1.5 N Okotoks RNTR 4 12/10/2017 0 Okotoks 0 NA NA NA NA 14/10/2017 1 Okotoks 4 Y Calgary MNWH 2 14/10/2017 1 96 St. 0.5 N High River MNWH 1 15/10/2017 1 Okotoks 3 Y Okotoks MNWH 2 15/10/2017 SAA Okotoks NA NA NA RNTR 1 16/10/2017 1 Okotoks 2 N Okotoks BLTR 1 16/10/2017 1 Okotoks 2.5 N Okotoks RNTR 7 23/10/2017 1 Turner Valley 0.5 N Black Diamond NA 0 23/10/2017 1 Okotoks 4 Y Okotoks RNTR 1 24

Appendix 2. Instantaneous angler counts from the Sheep River, 2017. Code: NA = not applicable. Date Reach Angler count Angler access Easting Northing Count start time d/m/y type 23/06/2017 1 2 Shore 531405 5608001 14:00 23/06/2017 1 4 Shore 544761 5608425 14:00 23/06/2017 2 1 Shore 554722 5614770 14:00 23/06/2017 2 2 Shore 565611 5616297 14:00 23/06/2017 2 2 Shore 565318 5616930 14:00 23/06/2017 2 1 Shore 575145 5616340 14:00 24/06/2017 1 2 Shore 524549 5607535 11:00 24/06/2017 2 2 Boat 566480 5616318 11:00 24/06/2017 2 1 Shore 570920 5616915 11:00 24/06/2017 2 1 Shore 571970 5617023 11:00 24/06/2017 2 1 Shore 572372 5616982 11:00 24/06/2017 2 1 Shore 573343 5616151 11:00 24/06/2017 2 1 Shore 577395 5615051 11:00 24/06/2017 2 1 Shore 579005 5615893 11:00 25/06/2017 2 1 Shore 574098 5616355 18:15 25/06/2017 2 3 Shore 572920 5617316 18:15 25/06/2017 2 1 Shore 570441 5617963 18:15 25/06/2017 2 1 Shore 562039 5616832 18:15 25/06/2017 2 1 Shore 559652 5617976 18:15 25/06/2017 1 2 Shore 551705 5611998 18:15 25/06/2017 1 2 Shore 551643 5611562 18:15 25/06/2017 1 1 Shore 551324 5611147 18:15 25/06/2017 1 3 Shore 547593 5610170 18:15 25/06/2017 1 2 Shore 547075 5609625 18:15 28/06/2017 2 1 Shore 570376 5617881 13:22 28/06/2017 2 2 Shore 565355 5616774 13:22 28/06/2017 1 0 NA NA NA 13:22 04/07/2017 1 1 Shore 530461 5609125 14:20 04/07/2017 1 2 Shore 548115 5610417 14:20 04/07/2017 2 1 Shore 553590 5613016 14:20 04/07/2017 2 1 Shore 564723 5616342 14:20 04/07/2017 2 1 Shore 566695 5616328 14:20 04/07/2017 2 1 Shore 569701 5617052 14:20 04/07/2017 2 4 Shore 571997 5616966 14:20 04/07/2017 2 2 Shore 572393 5616906 14:20 04/07/2017 2 1 Shore 573524 5616083 14:20 04/07/2017 2 1 Shore 573530 5616080 14:20 04/07/2017 2 2 Shore 574466 5615889 14:20 25

Appendix 2. Continued. Date Reach Angler count Angler access Easting Northing Count start time d/m/y type 06/07/2017 1 1 Shore 537668 5606203 10:43 06/07/2017 2 2 Shore 559688 5617005 10:43 06/07/2017 2 6 Shore 570063 5617274 10:43 06/07/2017 2 1 Shore 571465 5616966 10:43 06/07/2017 2 2 Shore 572677 5616613 10:43 06/07/2017 2 3 Shore 574586 5615809 10:43 18/07/2017 2 1 Shore 579857 5616682 12:55 18/07/2017 2 4 Shore 576345 5615021 12:55 18/07/2017 1 4 Shore 551775 5610905 12:55 18/07/2017 1 1 Shore 516432 5605281 12:55 22/07/2017 1 2 Shore 547706 5610767 18:00 22/07/2017 1 5 Shore 533809 5606786 18:00 22/07/2017 1 1 Shore 525072 5608447 18:00 22/07/2017 2 1 Shore 580825 5616971 18:00 22/07/2017 2 1 Shore 578829 5615742 18:00 22/07/2017 2 2 Shore 576239 5616156 18:00 22/07/2017 2 2 Shore 574326 5616628 18:00 22/07/2017 2 1 Shore 559898 5617891 18:00 22/07/2017 2 1 Shore 556939 5618956 18:00 22/07/2017 2 2 Shore 553762 5614135 18:00 23/07/2017 1 2 Shore 525366 5608234 11:00 23/07/2017 1 2 Shore 526451 5608105 11:00 23/07/2017 1 1 Shore 532455 5606797 11:00 23/07/2017 1 1 Shore 533753 5606050 11:00 23/07/2017 1 1 Shore 550726 5610080 11:00 23/07/2017 1 3 Shore 551909 5611008 11:00 23/07/2017 2 2 Shore 564692 5615883 11:00 23/07/2017 2 4 Shore 571552 5616884 11:00 23/07/2017 2 1 Shore 572811 5616438 11:00 23/07/2017 2 2 Shore 573943 5616016 11:00 23/07/2017 2 4 Shore 578883 5615766 11:00 23/07/2017 2 1 Shore 580742 5617287 11:00 23/07/2017 2 3 Shore 580528 5618502 11:00 24/07/2017 2 1 Shore 572597 5617046 16:45 24/07/2017 2 1 Shore 564887 5616959 16:45 24/07/2017 2 1 Shore 560119 5616814 16:45 24/07/2017 2 1 Shore 554479 5614874 16:45 24/07/2017 1 2 Shore 550158 5610650 16:45 26

Appendix 2. Continued. Date d/m/y Reach Angler count Angler access type Easting Northing Count start time 24/07/2017 1 1 Shore 530449 5608857 16:45 24/07/2017 1 1 Shore 528187 5608760 16:45 27/07/2017 2 1 Shore 574801 5616598 8:00 27/07/2017 1 0 NA NA NA 8:00 04/08/2017 1 2 Shore 528194 5608263 13:00 04/08/2017 1 2 Shore 539489 5605646 13:00 04/08/2017 1 1 Shore 549032 5610485 13:00 04/08/2017 2 2 Shore 558512 5618022 13:00 04/08/2017 2 2 Shore 572552 5616560 13:00 04/08/2017 2 1 Shore 576157 5615346 13:00 06/08/2017 2 2 Shore 579070 5616639 10:00 06/08/2017 2 1 Shore 577078 5615562 10:00 06/08/2017 2 1 Shore 571457 5617510 10:00 06/08/2017 2 1 Shore 565508 5616727 10:00 06/08/2017 2 1 Shore 562387 5616429 10:00 06/08/2017 2 1 Shore 558773 5618385 10:00 06/08/2017 2 2 Shore 558059 5618642 10:00 06/08/2017 1 1 Shore 547328 5609916 10:00 06/08/2017 1 3 Shore 544319 5608275 10:00 06/08/2017 1 1 Shore 543383 5606974 10:00 06/08/2017 1 2 Shore 542743 5606298 10:00 06/08/2017 1 1 Shore 542092 5605830 10:00 06/08/2017 1 1 Shore 539179 5606029 10:00 06/08/2017 1 2 Shore 536302 5605842 10:00 06/08/2017 1 1 Shore 533898 5606595 10:00 06/08/2017 1 3 Shore 533450 5606702 10:00 06/08/2017 1 1 Shore 525697 5608370 10:00 06/08/2017 1 1 Shore 525362 5608216 10:00 11/08/2017 2 1 Shore 560368 5616541 16:22 11/08/2017 1 0 NA NA NA 16:22 12/08/2017 2 2 Shore 573672 5616835 17:56 12/08/2017 2 2 Shore 572484 5617321 17:56 12/08/2017 2 2 Shore 572786 5617408 17:56 12/08/2017 2 1 Shore 560156 5617303 17:56 12/08/2017 2 1 Shore 559636 5617969 17:56 12/08/2017 2 1 Shore 553937 5614463 17:56 12/08/2017 1 1 Shore 551572 5612129 17:56 12/08/2017 1 0 NA NA NA 17:56 27

Appendix 2. Continued. Date d/m/y Reach Angler count Angler access type Easting Northing Count start time 13/08/2017 2 1 Shore 573594 5616786 8:00 13/08/2017 2 1 Shore 559842 5617227 8:00 13/08/2017 1 1 Shore 551261 5611241 8:00 13/08/2017 1 2 Shore 547521 5610327 8:00 13/08/2017 1 2 Shore 538258 5606355 8:00 13/08/2017 1 1 Shore 533348 5606421 8:00 13/08/2017 1 2 Shore 532695 5607201 8:00 13/08/2017 1 1 Shore 531676 5607696 8:00 13/08/2017 1 3 Shore 525828 5608404 8:00 14/08/2017 1 4 Shore 528959 5608627 14:00 14/08/2017 2 2 Shore 571690 5616632 14:00 14/08/2017 2 4 Shore 579811 5614989 14:00 17/08/2017 1 2 Shore 533246 5606362 8:00 17/08/2017 2 1 Shore 554402 5614010 8:00 17/08/2017 2 1 Shore 558823 5617932 8:00 22/08/2017 1 0 NA NA NA 10:30 22/08/2017 1 0 NA NA NA 10:30 02/09/2017 2 3 Shore 579241 5616729 10:45 02/09/2017 2 3 Shore 572251 5617633 10:45 02/09/2017 2 1 Shore 564808 5616902 10:45 02/09/2017 2 2 Shore 557924 5618633 10:45 02/09/2017 2 1 Shore 555228 5615377 10:45 02/09/2017 1 1 Shore 548966 5611020 10:45 02/09/2017 1 2 Shore 539471 5606098 10:45 02/09/2017 1 2 Shore 538154 5606537 10:45 02/09/2017 2 1 Shore 553683 5613048 10:45 05/09/2017 1 1 Shore 529765 5608714 8:01 05/09/2017 1 3 Shore 537087 5605748 8:01 05/09/2017 2 1 Shore 553683 5613048 8:01 05/09/2017 2 1 Shore 572365 5616841 8:01 12/09/2017 1 1 Shore 551556 5611103 17:02 12/09/2017 1 1 Shore 551900 5611265 17:02 12/09/2017 2 1 Shore 559670 5617020 17:02 12/09/2017 2 1 Shore 571477 5616861 17:02 12/09/2017 2 1 Shore 576134 5615090 17:02 30/09/2017 2 1 Shore 575884 5616006 7:48 30/09/2017 1 0 NA NA NA 7:48 01/10/2017 2 2 Shore 557984 5618009 15:41 28

Appendix 2. Continued. Date d/m/y Reach Angler count Angler access type Easting Northing Count start time 01/10/2017 2 1 Shore 559453 5616922 15:41 01/10/2017 2 1 Shore 560218 5616347 15:41 01/10/2017 2 2 Shore 575489 5615346 15:41 01/10/2017 1 1 Shore NA NA 15:41 01/10/2017 1 0 NA NA NA 15:41 11/10/2017 2 1 Shore 561559 5616737 10:21 11/10/2017 1 0 NA NA NA 10:21 13/10/2017 2 2 Shore 565775 5616307 15:25 13/10/2017 2 2 Shore 572841 5616974 15:25 13/10/2017 2 2 Shore 574422 5615915 15:25 13/10/2017 1 0 NA NA NA 15:25 15/10/2017 1 2 Shore 538984 5606116 15:25 15/10/2017 1 1 Shore 527283 5608523 15:25 15/10/2017 2 3 Shore 575088 5616508 15:25 15/10/2017 2 1 Shore 573937 5616624 15:25 15/10/2017 2 1 Shore 573215 5617056 15:25 15/10/2017 2 1 Shore 572486 5617602 15:25 15/10/2017 2 2 Shore 571831 5617530 15:25 15/10/2017 2 1 Shore 570533 5618103 15:25 15/10/2017 2 3 Shore 565107 5617002 15:25 15/10/2017 2 2 Shore 559001 5618371 15:25 21/10/2017 1 3 Shore 539108 5606141 15:33 21/10/2017 1 1 Shore 533677 5606635 15:33 21/10/2017 1 1 Shore 531025 5608670 15:33 21/10/2017 2 1 Shore 571371 5617641 15:33 21/10/2017 2 2 Shore 564337 5616956 15:33 21/10/2017 2 1 Shore 560238 5617302 15:33 21/10/2017 1 1 Shore 551838 5611151 15:33 29

Appendix 3. Data from angler interviews on the Highwood River, 2017. Species codes: BKTR = brook trout, BLTR = bull trout, BNTR = brown trout, BURB = burbot, CTTR = cutthroat trout, CRTR= cutthroat x rainbow trout hybrid, MNWH = mountain whitefish, RNTR = rainbow trout. Other codes: SAA = same angler as above, NA = not applicable. Date d/m/y Angler count Location Time fished (h) Complete trip Angler residence Species Total released 16/06/2017 1 Access 1 6 Y Calgary RNTR 1 16/06/2017 SAA Access 1 NA NA NA BLTR 1 16/06/2017 1 Access 1 6 Y Calgary NA 0 16/06/2017 1 Access 1 6 Y Calgary BLTR 1 18/06/2017 1 Cat Ck. 1 Y Okotoks NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Cat Ck. 1 Y Okotoks NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Cat Ck. 3 N Canmore NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Cat Ck. 3 N Calgary RNTR 1 18/06/2017 1 Sentinel 1.5 N Calgary CTTR 16 18/06/2017 1 Highwood PRA 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Highwood PRA 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Eden Valley 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Eden Valley 2 N Calgary RNTR 1 18/06/2017 SAA Eden Valley NA NA NA BNTR 1 18/06/2017 1 Eden Valley 2 N Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Highwood House 2.5 Y Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Access 5 6 Y Calgary BKTR 1 18/06/2017 1 Access 5 6 Y Calgary BLTR 1 18/06/2017 1 Flat Ck. 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Flat Ck. 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Flat Ck. 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Fitzsimmons Ck. 1 N Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Fitzsimmons Ck. 2 Y Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Fitzsimmons Ck. 2 Y Calgary NA 0 18/06/2017 1 Fitzsimmons Ck. 2 Y Calgary NA 0 23/06/2017 0 Longview 0 NA NA NA NA 27/06/2017 1 Greenford 2 Y Calgary NA 0 27/06/2017 1 Longview 8.5 Y Canmore RNTR 1 27/06/2017 1 Flat Ck. 2 Y Calgary NA 0 27/06/2017 1 Flat Ck. 2 Y Calgary NA 0 03/07/2017 0 Longview 0 NA NA NA NA 04/07/2017 0 Mist Ck. 0 NA NA NA NA 05/07/2017 1 Hogg Park 0.5 N High River NA 0 05/07/2017 1 Hogg Park 0.5 N High River NA 0 30

Appendix 3. Continued. Date d/m/y Angler count Location Time fished (h) Complete trip Angler residence Species Total released 05/07/2017 1 Hogg Park 0.5 N High River NA 0 05/07/2017 1 Hogg Park 2 Y High River NA 0 05/07/2017 1 Hogg Park 2 Y High River NA 0 05/07/2017 1 Hogg Park 2 Y High River NA 0 06/07/2017 1 Highwood PRA 0.5 N Calgary CTTR 1 06/07/2017 1 Greenford 3 N Canmore CTTR 4 06/07/2017 1 Greenford 3 N Canmore CTTR 4 06/07/2017 SAA Greenford NA NA NA RNTR 4 06/07/2017 1 Access 6 7 N Calgary RNTR 6 06/07/2017 1 Access 6 3.5 N Calgary CTTR 1 06/07/2017 1 Access 6 3.5 N Calgary NA 0 06/07/2017 1 Access 4 3.75 N High River NA 0 06/07/2017 1 Access 1 8 Y Calgary BLTR 1 06/07/2017 1 Access 1 8 Y Calgary NA 0 06/07/2017 1 Access 1 8 Y Okotoks NA 0 06/07/2017 1 Highwood PRA 1 N Calgary NA 0 07/07/2017 0 Longview 0 NA NA NA NA 12/07/2017 1 Access 6 1.5 Y Calgary NA 0 12/07/2017 1 Access 6 1.5 Y Lethbridge CRTR 1 12/07/2017 1 Access 6 1 Y Lethbridge RNTR 1 12/07/2017 1 Access 6 1 Y Lethbridge RNTR 1 12/07/2017 1 Sentinel 1 N Calgary NA 0 13/07/2017 0 Longview 0 NA NA NA NA 17/07/2017 1 96 St. 1 N Calgary NA 0 17/07/2017 1 Aldersyde 1 N Okotoks NA 0 17/07/2017 1 Aldersyde 1 N Okotoks NA 0 17/07/2017 1 Aldersyde 1 N Okotoks NA 0 17/07/2017 1 Nature's Hideaway 8 Y Calgary MNWH 1 18/07/2017 0 Longview 0 NA NA RNTR 4 24/07/2017 1 Greenford 1 Y Cochrane RNTR 1 24/07/2017 1 Access 6 14 Y Longview CTTR 2 24/07/2017 SAA Access 6 NA NA NA RNTR 3 24/07/2017 1 Access 6 10 N Calgary BLTR 2 24/07/2017 SAA Access 6 NA NA NA RNTR 4 24/07/2017 1 Access 6 10 N Calgary CTTR 1 24/07/2017 SAA Access 6 NA NA NA RNTR 4 24/07/2017 1 Access 4 2 Y Calgary MNWH 1 31

Appendix 3. Continued. Date d/m/y Angler count Location Time fished (h) Complete trip Angler residence Species Total released 24/07/2017 SAA Access 4 NA NA NA RNTR 1 24/07/2017 1 Access 4 2 Y Calgary NA 0 24/07/2017 1 Highwood PRA 10 Y Calgary CTTR 3 24/07/2017 SAA Highwood PRA NA NA NA BKTR 1 24/07/2017 SAA Highwood PRA NA NA NA RNTR 6 02/08/2017 1 Fitzsimmons Ck. 4 Y Calgary CTTR 5 02/08/2017 1 Access 1 8 Y Calgary RNTR 15 02/08/2017 1 Access 1 2 N Calgary CTTR 3 02/08/2017 1 Highwood PRA 1 N High River NA 0 02/08/2017 1 Highwood PRA 1 N High River NA 0 02/08/2017 1 Access 6 4.5 Y Calgary RNTR 10 02/08/2017 1 Access 6 4.5 Y Calgary NA 0 02/08/2017 1 Access 6 4.5 Y Calgary NA 0 03/08/2017 1 Highwood House 7.5 Y Canmore CTTR 3 03/08/2017 1 Highwood House 7.5 Y Canmore CTTR 3 03/08/2017 1 Highwood PRA 1 Y Calgary NA 0 03/08/2017 1 Highwood PRA 4.75 Y Calgary RNTR 3 03/08/2017 1 Highwood PRA 4.75 Y Calgary NA 0 03/08/2017 1 Highwood PRA 4.75 Y Calgary MNWH 1 04/08/2017 SAA Highwood PRA NA NA NA RNTR 1 04/08/2017 1 Hogg Park 11 N Rural Alberta MNWH 7 04/08/2017 SAA Hogg Park NA NA NA RNTR 3 04/08/2017 1 Hogg Park 1 N Rural Alberta BLTR 1 05/08/2017 1 Deep Ck. 5 N Rural Alberta BLTR 2 05/08/2017 SAA Deep Ck. NA NA NA RNTR 2 05/08/2017 1 Deep Ck. 5 N Calgary BLTR 2 05/08/2017 SAA Deep Ck. NA NA NA MNWH 2 05/08/2017 SAA Deep Ck. NA NA NA CRTR 3 05/08/2017 1 Deep Ck. 5 N Out of Province CTTR 1 05/08/2017 1 Deep Ck. 5 N Out of Province CTTR 1 05/08/2017 1 Greenford 5 N Calgary MNWH 6 05/08/2017 SAA Greenford NA NA NA RNTR 5 05/08/2017 1 Access 2 9.5 Y Turner Valley CTTR 3 05/08/2017 SAA Access 2 NA NA NA RNTR 12 05/08/2017 1 Access 2 9.5 Y Calgary RNTR 2 05/08/2017 1 Access 2 9.5 Y Calgary RNTR 1 05/08/2017 1 Access 2 9.5 Y Calgary RNTR 7 32

Appendix 3. Continued. Date d/m/y Angler count Location Time fished (h) Complete trip Angler residence Species Total released 05/08/2017 1 Access 5 8 N Calgary CTTR 1 05/08/2017 SAA Access 5 NA NA NA BLTR 1 05/08/2017 SAA Access 5 NA NA NA RNTR 3 05/08/2017 1 Access 5 8 N Calgary MNWH 1 05/08/2017 SAA Access 5 NA NA NA RNTR 2 05/08/2017 1 Access 5 8 N Calgary CTTR 1 05/08/2017 SAA Access 5 NA NA NA RNTR 4 05/08/2017 1 Access 5 8 N Calgary RNTR 10 05/08/2017 1 Sentinel 5 Y Calgary BKTR 1 05/08/2017 SAA Sentinel NA NA NA CRTR 4 05/08/2017 1 Sentinel 5 Y Calgary CRTR 4 05/08/2017 1 Eyrie Gap 7 N Calgary CTTR 1 05/08/2017 1 Eyrie Gap 7 N Calgary NA NA 05/08/2017 1 Eyrie Gap 7 N Calgary NA NA 05/08/2017 1 Highwood House 3.5 Y Calgary MNWH 1 05/08/2017 SAA Highwood House NA NA NA RNTR 1 05/08/2017 1 Highwood House 3.5 Y Rural Alberta CRTR 7 05/08/2017 1 Cat Ck. 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 07/08/2017 1 Eden Valley 3 N Calgary CTTR 1 07/08/2017 1 Eden Valley 3 N Calgary NA 0 07/08/2017 1 Greenford 0.5 N Okotoks NA 0 07/08/2017 1 Access 1 1 N Calgary MNWH 1 07/08/2017 SAA Access 1 NA NA NA RNTR 1 07/08/2017 1 Access 1 1 N Calgary NA 0 07/08/2017 1 Access 1 1 N Calgary NA 0 07/08/2017 1 Access 1 2.5 N Calgary CTTR 1 07/08/2017 1 Access 1 2.5 N Calgary NA 0 07/08/2017 1 Access 1 2.5 N Calgary NA 0 14/08/2017 0 Longview 0 NA NA NA NA 15/08/2017 0 Longview 0 NA NA NA NA 17/08/2017 1 Access 1 4.5 N Calgary BLTR 1 17/08/2017 1 Access 1 4.5 N Calgary BLTR 1 23/08/2017 1 Flat Ck. 0.5 N Okotoks NA 0 23/08/2017 1 Sentinel 5.5 Y Calgary CTTR 6 23/08/2017 1 Sentinel 5.5 Y Calgary CTTR 6 23/08/2017 1 Access 2 6.5 Y Calgary CTTR 4 23/08/2017 1 Access 2 6.5 Y Calgary CTTR 2 33

Appendix 3. Continued. Date d/m/y Angler count Location Time fished (h) Complete trip Angler residence Species Total released 23/08/2017 SAA Access 2 NA NA NA MNWH 1 23/08/2017 1 Access 2 6.5 Y Calgary CTTR 4 23/08/2017 SAA Access 2 NA NA NA RNTR 1 23/08/2017 1 Access 6 6 Y Turner Valley NA 0 23/08/2017 1 Access 6 6 Y Turner Valley NA 0 23/08/2017 1 Access 5 7.5 Y Okotoks CTTR 2 23/08/2017 SAA Access 5 NA NA NA RNTR 2 23/08/2017 1 Access 5 7.5 Y Okotoks CTTR 2 23/08/2017 SAA Access 5 NA NA NA RNTR 2 23/08/2017 1 Sentinel 1 Y Calgary CTTR 1 23/08/2017 SAA Sentinel NA NA NA RNTR 1 24/08/2017 1 Highwood PRA 6 Y Cochrane CTTR 1 24/08/2017 SAA Highwood PRA NA NA NA MNWH 1 24/08/2017 SAA Highwood PRA NA NA NA RNTR 3 24/08/2017 1 Access 2 1.5 Y Calgary NA 0 24/08/2017 1 Access 2 1.5 Y Calgary NA 0 24/08/2017 1 Access 2 1.5 Y Calgary NA 0 24/08/2017 1 Highwood PRA 6 N Calgary CTTR 3 24/08/2017 SAA Highwood PRA NA NA NA RNTR 2 24/08/2017 1 Highwood PRA 6 N Calgary CTTR 3 24/08/2017 SAA Highwood PRA NA NA NA MNWH 3 24/08/2017 SAA Highwood PRA NA NA NA RNTR 2 24/08/2017 1 Access 1 6 N Calgary CTTR 1 24/08/2017 SAA Access 1 NA NA NA RNTR 10 24/08/2017 1 Fitzsimmons Ck. 4 Y Calgary CTTR 3 24/08/2017 SAA Fitzsimmons Ck. NA NA NA RNTR 1 24/08/2017 1 Fitzsimmons Ck. 5 Y Calgary BLTR 1 24/08/2017 SAA Fitzsimmons Ck. NA NA NA MNWH 1 24/08/2017 SAA Fitzsimmons Ck. NA NA NA RNTR 1 26/08/2017 1 Hogg Park 1.5 N High River RNTR 1 26/08/2017 1 Hogg Park 2 Y Calgary NA 0 26/08/2017 1 Hogg Park 2 Y Calgary NA 0 26/08/2017 1 Hogg Park 1 Y Rural Alberta NA 0 26/08/2017 1 Hogg Park 7 Y Calgary MNWH 1 26/08/2017 SAA Hogg Park NA NA NA RNTR 8 26/08/2017 1 Hogg Park 7 Y Calgary MNWH 1 26/08/2017 SAA Hogg Park NA NA NA RNTR 5 34

Appendix 3. Continued. Date d/m/y Angler count Location Time fished (h) Complete trip Angler residence Species Total released 27/08/2017 1 Deep Ck. 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 27/08/2017 1 Deep Ck. 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 27/08/2017 1 Access 4 2 N Calgary NA 0 27/08/2017 1 Access 4 2 N Calgary NA 0 27/08/2017 1 Greenford 2.5 N Calgary CTTR 1 27/08/2017 SAA Greenford NA NA NA RNTR 1 27/08/2017 1 Greenford 4 N British Columbia NA 0 27/08/2017 1 Highwood PRA 1 N Calgary NA 0 27/08/2017 1 Nature's Hideaway 3 N Calgary RNTR 2 27/08/2017 SAA Nature's Hideaway NA NA NA MNWH 1 27/08/2017 1 Fir Ck. 3.5 Y Okotoks NA 0 27/08/2017 1 Fir Ck. 3.5 Y Calgary NA 0 01/09/2017 1 Hogg Park 1 N Okotoks BNTR 2 01/09/2017 1 HWY 552 2.5 Y Rural Alberta NA 0 01/09/2017 1 HWY 552 2.5 Y Rural Alberta NA 0 01/09/2017 1 HWY 552 3 N Calgary NA 0 02/09/2017 1 Hogg Park 0.5 N Rural Alberta NA 0 02/09/2017 1 Hogg Park 2 Y Calgary RNTR 2 02/09/2017 1 Hogg Park 1 Y Calgary NA 0 02/09/2017 1 Hogg Park 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 02/09/2017 1 Hogg Park 0.5 N Okotoks NA 0 02/09/2017 1 Hogg Park 1.5 N Okotoks RNTR 1 02/09/2017 1 Nature's Hideaway 0.5 N Calgary RNTR 1 02/09/2017 1 Nature's Hideaway 0.5 N Calgary NA 0 02/09/2017 1 Hogg Park 2 N Calgary NA 0 03/09/2017 1 Sentinel 3 N Rural Alberta CTTR 2 03/09/2017 1 Highwood PRA 1.5 N Turner Valley RNTR 1 03/09/2017 1 Highwood PRA 1.5 N Quebec NA 0 03/09/2017 1 Highwood PRA 1.5 N Okotoks NA 0 03/09/2017 1 Highwood PRA 1.5 N Okotoks NA 0 03/09/2017 1 Eden Valley 3 N Calgary CTTR 1 03/09/2017 1 Eden Valley 3 N Calgary RNTR 1 03/09/2017 1 Eden Valley 3 N Calgary MNWH 2 03/09/2017 SAA Eden Valley NA NA NA RNTR 1 03/09/2017 1 Eden Valley 3 N Turner Valley CTTR 2 03/09/2017 SAA Eden Valley NA NA NA RNTR 1 03/09/2017 1 Access 6 8 N Calgary RNTR 2 35