News Release (July 2, 2008):

Gerrard Rainbow Trout Spawning Run Starts Late but Finishes Strong

About the Gerrard Rainbow Trout:

The Gerrard rainbow trout are the largest rainbow trout in the world. Each spring this unique fish returns to the Lardeau River to spawn. If you haven't made the trip to see this fish which spawns only in the Lardeau River, make this the year.

From Kaslo, take highway #31 towards Meadow Creek. From Meadow Creek stay on highway #31 until you cross the Lardeau River (approx. 45 mins from Meadow Creek). The viewing platform is located at the outlet of Trout Lake on the Lardeau River.

We will update this webpage often during the 2008 spawning run so you can plan your visit.

	Date	Fish Counted @ Viewing Platform on the Lardeau River
	April 30, 2008	6
	May 4, 2008	88
	May 5, 2008	135
	May 6, 2008	140
	May 8, 2008	185
	May 9, 2008	377
	May 10, 2008	406
	May 12, 2008	502
	May 13, 2008	517
	May 14, 2008	467
	May 16, 2008	482
	May 17, 2008	461
	May 18, 2008	379
	May 19, 2008	290
	May 20, 2008	174
	May 21, 2008	123
	May 23, 2008	45
	May 25, 2008	15
	May 26, 2008	17
	May 29, 2008	7
	Jun 3, 2008	3
	Jun 4, 2008	0

Thanks to the Ministry of Environment and the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF) for providing regular updates on the number of spawning fish.


The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program works on behalf of its Program Partners - the BC Ministry of Environment, BC Hdyro and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife impacted by the construction of BC Hydro dams in the Columbia Basin.

TEST YOUR FISH FACTS

1. True or False: The Gerrard rainbow trout is the largest type of rainbow trout on earth?
2. Why are they called Gerrard rainbow trout?
3. Can you fish for Gerrards in the Lardeau River?
4. Where do they spawn?
5. What is the Gerrard run like now? (the number of fish spawning)

Answers:

1. True. The largest sport-caught rainbow from Kootenay Lake was 16 kilograms (35.5 pounds) and was hooked in 1976. Gerrard rainbow trout consistently reach sizes in excess of 10 kg (22 pounds).
2. The fish are named after the post office and settlement of Gerrard which was the end of the CPR railway line. George Bentley Gerrard was a bank manager in Kaslo in the 1890s, 1900s.
3. No. The wild, pristine Lardeau River and its tributaries provide important habitat for adults and young fish. It has been closed to fishing since the 1940s and remains closed, except for a short springtime whitefish fishery. Over fishing was a factor in their decline in the 1950s.
4. The majority of the unique Gerrard rainbow trout spawn at the Gerrard site on the Lardeau River.
5. In the mid-1950s the Gerrard run was down to less than 150 fish. Today, thanks to fishing regulations and the addition of nutrients to the north arm of Kootenay Lake by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program and the Ministry of Environment, the Gerrard run is approximately 1,000 fish / year.