Coastal Cutthroat Trout as Sentinels of Lower Mainland Watershed ...

81Stream and Lake Youth Fisheries:• First and foremost, youngsters’ fisheries targeting on resident cutthroat trout instreams and ponds, need to be facilitated and encouraged by the Ministry throughthe Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. The Society can offer specific guidancein fishing techniques and angling ethics as is planned for two proposed pondsassociated with the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery (D. Larson pers. comm. 2004).Certainly, small streams and ponds can more readily provide the early formativeintroductions to young anglers in contrast to large lake and river fisheries.Recruitment of an educated angling public helps ensure habitat and fish stockconservation. There is considerable “competition” for the recreational time oftoday’s youth, which over time will significantly reduce angler participation.Youth stream fisheries for resident cutthroat (with minimum trout sizes of 20 cm)should be selectively established as they are currently for some small lakes withrainbow trout (e.g., Como Lake). Youth fisheries are common in otherjurisdictions.Coastal Cutthroat Stream Fisheries:• Use of bait for stream/riverine fishing of coastal cutthroat trout may be in seriousconflict with minimum size regulations because of elevated hooking mortalityrates. Stream regulations are catch-and-release of wild cutthroat