Camera-Based Creel Surveys of Beaver, Fiesta, and Ironside Lakes 2012

Author(s)

Kevin Fitzsimmons, Bill Patterson, and Corey Rasmussen

Summary

During the summer of 2012, we conducted camera-based and angler interview-based creel surveys to assess angler use and catch rates at three rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) stocked and aerated lakes in west-central Alberta. Creel surveys were conducted from 15 May to 31 August 2012 at Beaver, Fiesta and Ironside lakes. Angler effort data was collected using a digital trail camera located at each lake, and angler trip length and catch data were collected from angler interviews. Estimates of angler effort and trip length were generated using bootstrapping techniques and estimates were corrected for spatial strata that were not surveyed by the trail cameras.


At Beaver Lake, we estimated anglers made 2,777 angling trips (95% CI = 2,390 – 3,215), fished for 8,666 angling-h (95% CI = 7,741 – 10,102), with an angling pressure of 286 h/ha (95% CI = 250 – 326), and a reported catch rate (harvested and released fish) of 0.54 fish/h. Anglers harvested and released an estimated 264 (95% CI = 230 – 300) and 4,547 fish (95% CI = 3,960 – 5,203), respectively.


At Fiesta Lake, we estimated anglers made 498 angling trips (95% CI = 395 – 590) trips, fished for 1,791 angling-h (95% CI = 1,498 – 2,127), with an angling pressure of 252 h/ha (95% CI = 210 – 299), and a reported released catch rate of 0.71 fish/h. Estimated total fish released was 1,264 (95% CI = 1,057 – 1,501).


At Ironside Lake, we estimated anglers made 331 angling trips (95% CI = 183 – 593), fished for 1,059 angling-h (95% CI = 664 – 1,691), with an angling pressure of 321 h/ha (95% CI = 201 – 512), and a reported released catch rate of 0.65 fish/h. Estimated total fish released was 693 (95% CI = 434 – 1,105).

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