Lower Kananaskis Bull Trout Recovery Program

This fall Fishing Alberta had the opportunity to join Alberta Environment Fisheries Biologist Jim Stelfox as he continued his study of Bull Trout spawning areas on Smith-Dorrien Creek in Kananaskis Country.

Jim initiated this intensive research project in 1990 when Alberta angler Kyle McNeilly brought to his attention the spawning areas (called redds) in Smith-Dorrien Creek. By 1991 Alberta Environment had installed fish traps on Smith-Dorrien in an attempt to identify the number of Bulls coming to spawn in the creek. At the end of 1991 the study indicated a mere sixty Bull Trout spawning in the creek. These extremely low numbers led to an Alberta-wide ban on harvestingBull Trout (implemented in 1992).

Since then, the number of spawning Bull Trout in Smith-Dorrien Creek has doubled on a yearly basis. By the 2000 season the study revealed an impressive population, reaching 1371 fish counted.

Through the concern of one Alberta angler, the experience and expertise of Alberta Environment Biologists, and the compliance of anglers in Alberta, Bull Trout populations across the province are on the come back.

Tune into Fishing Alberta in 2001 and see the full story of the Smith-Dorrien Creek Bull Trout Recovery Program. For more information about Bull Trout in Alberta contact your local office of Alberta Environment.