Angler Survey of Single- and Multi-Species Stocked Ponds in the Greater
Edmonton Area, 2015

Author(s)

Britt Keeling and Kevin Fitzsimmons

Summary

During the summer of 2015, we assessed angler use and catch rates at three ponds near Edmonton, Alberta, that are stocked by Alberta Conservation Association as part of our Enhanced Fish Stocking project. Heritage Pond was stocked with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and Beaumont and Morinville ponds were stocked with both rainbow and brown trout (Salmo trutta). Angler effort was estimated using digital trail cameras, and information on trip length and catch data was collected from angler interviews during roving creel surveys from May 1 to August 18. 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 Beaumont Pond, we estimated that anglers made 2,595 trips (95% CI = 2,161 – 3,115) and fished for 5,395 angling-h (95% CI = 4,690 – 6,239), with an angling pressure of 2,158 h/ha (95% CI = 1,875 – 2,495). The reported catch rates (harvested and released fish) were 0.95 rainbow trout/h and 0.06 brown trout/h. Anglers harvested an estimated 1,542 rainbow trout (95% CI = 1,340 – 1,783) and 48 brown trout (95% CI = 40 – 53), and released an estimated 3,562 rainbow trout (95% CI = 3,096 – 4,119) and 274 brown trout (95% CI = 240 – 317). Social questionnaire responses indicated that 94% of anglers were satisfied with fishing at this pond, and 56% fished this location because it was close to home. 

 

At Morinville Fish and Game Pond, we estimated that anglers made 905 trips (95% CI = 676 – 1,215) and fished for 1,445 angling-h (95% CI = 1,123 – 1,891), with an angling pressure of 657 h/ha (95% CI = 511 – 860). The reported catch rates were 0.19 rainbow trout/h and 0.02 brown trout/h. Anglers harvested an estimated 41 rainbow trout (95% CI = 32 – 54) and released 227 rainbow trout (95% CI = 177 – 298) and 23 brown trout (95% CI = 18 – 30). Social questionnaire responses indicated that 75% of anglers were satisfied with fishing at this pond, and 70% fished this location because it was close to home.


At Heritage Pond, we estimated that anglers made 2,993 trips (95% CI = 2,121 – 4,239) and fished for 5,772 angling-h (95% CI = 4,224 – 8,061), with an angling pressure of 435 h/ha (95% CI = 321 – 607). The reported catch rate was 0.18 rainbow trout/h. Anglers harvested and released an estimated 724 (95% CI = 530 – 1,011) and 306 (95% CI = 224 – 428) rainbow trout, respectively. Social questionnaire responses indicated that 80% of anglers were satisfied with fishing at this pond, and 64% fished this location because it was close to home.

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