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David Docksteader, AMP
March 11, 2015
Kokanee health sees a rebound over three years
Inside
KEVIN PARNELL
Tourism co-operation Lake Country will continue its involvement with regional marketing plans with Tourism Kelowna. ...............................
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Heading to UBCO George Elliot’s Joella Koblischke graduates to UBCO women’s soccer team. ...............................
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Flyers ■ Jysk ■ Rona ■ Save On Foods ■ Shoppers Drug Mart ■ Staples
“Our data suggests the age-0 fish from 2012 onwards are highly abundant and After limiting the kokanee fishthese fish will be available to anglers being season on Wood Lake to just a few ginning this year,” said Ward. “The koweeks for the past three years, a return kanee population has increased in abunto health in kokanee fish stocks will aldance since 2011 as a result of favourlow for an increased opening for anglers able in-lake conditions and low angling this year. pressure.” Fisheries officials have increased the Fisheries biologists presented their findings and results of three years of limkokanee fishing season on Wood Lake ited angling to the Oceola Fish and from six weeks to a full four months, opening April 1 and closing Aug. 31 this Game Club last week. The club has been year. integral in helping to sustain kokanee The increase in the opening comes afstocks with its work in Middle Vernon ter three straight years of just six weeks of Creek and its members also were among the first to notice the lack of kokanee bekokanee angling opportunity on Wood Lake after a serious crash in the fishery ing caught in 2011, leading it to suggest in 2011 closing the fishery and allowing it to re“Current data suggests that the popucover. lation is recovering and these changes reClub president Sean Richardson says flect our confidence that the kokanee they will continue to work with biolopopulation will be able to support ingists on helping Wood Lake kokanee creased angling pressure,” said Hillary and says the increased opening is good Ward, provincial fisheries stock assessnews for Lake Country. ment specialist for the Thompson-Oka“I think it’s a really good sign that nagan region. “We are expecting anglers there is a longer opening this year,” said to be much more successful this year Richardson. “It means a lot because people fishing Wood Lake helps to bring with the anticipated large number of fish returning to spawn.” in millions of dollars to the local econThe latest crash in the kokanee popuomy. It’s not back to where it was a few lation in Wood Lake began in 2011 years ago when people were ice fishing. CONTRIBUTED when poor in-lake water quality killed It’s fairly conservative but it should result in better fishing and happy people.” off kokanee of all ages and led to dwin- A FINE fisherman. Tate MacKenzie, 12, shows off a couple of kokanee caught last spring in Wood Lake. The lake will see an increased opening this year due to a According to Ward the length of the dling returns of kokanee to spawn. In rebound in kokanee fish stocks. opening this year is based on estimates 2012 only 2,300 kokanee returned to of sustainable harvest pressure and could spawn and 2013 wasn’t much better with non Creek, 8,879 kokanee returned to spawn, still be extended further when higher harvest about 2,800 spawners counted in Middown from an average in good years of some 14,000 pressure is sustainable. dle Vernon Creek, the primary spawning stream for kokanee but enough to indicate the stocks are bounWood Lake kokanee. cing back. newsroom@lakecountrynews.net But last year at a spawning fence on Middle Ver-
Lots of opportunity to vote in CN corridor referendum The District of Lake Country will make it as easy as possible for residents wanting to vote in the April 25 referendum on the acquisition of the CN Rail corridor running through Lake Country. Advance polls will be held in every ward of Lake Country, in advance of general referendum day, as Lake Country will ask residents to approve a bylaw to bor-
row $2.6 million towards its $5.2-million share of the CN Rail corridor from between Kelowna and Coldstream. “It is critical for all residents to come out to vote, to ensure they have their say in shaping our community’s future and to be informed in making that decision,” said Lake Country Mayor James Baker. Volunteers with Walk Around Lake Country
Aly Naturally
No Nonsense Action & Results
have now started meeting weekly to plan a ‘Yes’ campaign aimed at getting the proper information out to voters and promoting the benefits of acquiring the CN Rail corridor. Members of the Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative are taking part in the meetings and plan to revamp their web site with information on a study they commissioned on the economic benefits of a trail. That
study found there would be $6.5 million in economic spinoffs per year beginning after year five of a potential trail. “From our stance we want people to make an informed decision looking at the long term benefits of keeping the corridor for public use,” said group director Brad Clements. “Our focus has been yes we need to protect this corridor. We think it’s the
best use of this. We respect that people are entitled to their opinion but we want to make sure people look at both the positives and the negatives.” The referendum question initiated by council at its meeting on March 3 is the same question voted down in the alternative approval process that saw 960 residents vote against the borrowing bylaw.
The referendum will cost the district an estimated $10,000 to pull off and it appears it will be completed before a set closing period on a $22 million deal between an inter-jurisdictional team and CN Rail for the 47 kilometre corridor. “The end of the due diligence period on the negotiated sales and purchase agreement with
D L O
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SEE CN CORRIDOR A3
new price
9470 Mountview Road
12563 Driftwood Court
Completely upgraded home with large fenced backExecutive home with views of 3 Lakes! Over 4000 sq ft yard! Newer: Roof, kitchen, bathrooms, windows, of luxury living. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms. water tank... MLS® 10092841 $929,000 MLS® 10094397 $390,000
11691 Daniel Drive
Orchard & Wood Lake View! 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Large usable backyard. Walk to Davidson Elementary. MLS® 10093553 $421,000
250.808.2573 • www.AlyRealty.com