Government biologists will present a comprehensive plan to guide the recovery of Kootenay Lake’s Kokanee stocks at a public meeting, 7 – 9 p.m., Thursday, June 16 at the Balfour Community Hall in Balfour.

The Kootenay Lake Action Plan – which will be released on June 14, 2016 – was developed under the direction of an expert advisory committee and with the support of local First Nations, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and the BC Wildlife Federation.

Last fall, Provincial biologists counted 18,000 spawning Kokanee in main body of Kootenay Lake and its tributaries, the lowest number since the annual count started in 1964. In response, the Province initiated an aggressive restocking program, enhanced the nutrient restoration program and changed fishing regulations to decrease Kokanee harvest and increase Gerrard trout harvest.