manitoba fisheries enhancement initiative … · manitoba fisheries enhancement initiative ......

Manitoba FisheriesEnhancement Initiative

MANITOBA FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVEManitoba Conservation

Fisheries Branch200 Saulteaux Crescent

Winnipeg, ManitobaR3J 3W3

Telephone: (204) 945-7797 Fax: (204) 948-2308

Images used for these enhancement stamps are also used for limited edition prints. For informationon prices and how to order please refer to the address or phone number listed above.

MANITOBAFISHERIESENHANCEMENTSTAMP

1997TIMBRE POUR LA MISE EN VALEUR DE LA PÊCHE AU MANITOBATIMBRE POUR LA MISE EN VALEUR DE LA PÊCHE AU MANITOBA

MANITOBA FISHERIESENHANCEMENT

STAMP

2000


STAMP

2000

TIMBREPOURLA MISEEN VALEURDE LAPÊCHE AUMANITOBA


1996


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TIMBRE POUR LA MISE EN VALEUR DE LA PÊCHE AU MANITOBA

20012001

TIMBRE POUR LA MISE EN VALEUR DE LA PÊCHE AU MANITOBATIMBRE POUR LA MISE EN VALEUR DE LA PÊCHE AU MANITOBA

2001-2002STAMP

TIMBRE POURLA MISE ENVALEUR DE LAPÊCHE AUMANITOBA

1993

MANITOBA FISHERIES ENHANCEMENTSTAMP


1994

MANITOBA FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT MANITOBA FISHERIES ENHANCEMENTSTAMP


1995

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVE . . . . . . . . . .2

STAMP AND PRINT COMPETITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

ABOUT THE ARTIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

ARTIST’S STATEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

THE PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF

MANITOBA CONSERVATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

STREAM ENHANCEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

WATERSHED SURVEYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

ENHANCEMENT TECHNIQUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

FISHWAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

LAKE ENHANCEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

POPULATION MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

EDUCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

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ABOUT THE ARTIST

Bob Brown was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and has resided there allhis life. After graduating from high school, he entered the Faculty of Artsand Science at the University of Manitoba. He decided that this was not thecareer path he wanted to follow, so after his second year he chose to pursuea career in art.

The next year Bob graduated from Winnipeg’s Technical VocationalTrade School in the Advertising Art Course. To round out his education, heenrolled in the Faculty of Fine Arts and four years later obtained a Diplomain Fine Arts.

Bob then spent seven years working as an advertising agent and artdirector for various companies including the Hudson’s Bay Company andMcKim, Benton and Bowles Advertising. In 1972 Bob started his own com-pany which he still manages.

Throughout his career Bob has won numerous awards for both hisgraphic design and illustration. Bob has been married to his wife Sigrid for35 years. They have one son, Darren and daughter-in-law, Marlene.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

The channel catfish attracts fishermen from all over the world to samplewhat Manitoba’s Red River has to offer. Not only is it an exciting fish to bat-tle, but it is also one of the best tasting fish to eat. In many restaurants it isconsidered a delicacy.

Because of its worldwide reputation for size it is a tremendous boost totourism in Manitoba.

FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVE

STAMP AND PRINTCOMPETITION

Featured on the cover is thewinning painting of the 2001Stamp and Print Competition. "FatCat", an acrylic painting of a cat-fish, was painted by Robert Brownof East St. Paul, Manitoba. Hispainting was chosen from 31entries.

This painting was reproducedinto limited edition prints andstamps to promote the FisheriesEnhancement Initiative Fund. Atotal of 280,000 FisheriesEnhancement Stamps were pre-pared. The Licensing Branch ofManitoba Conservation used275,000 stamps to validate provin-cial sport and commercial fishingand bait dealer licences. Collectorscan purchase the remainingstamps.

Stamps and prints can be pur-chased from ManitobaConservation at 200 SaulteauxCrescent, Winnipeg or call 1-204-945-7797.

Bob Brown with his winning artwork.

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THE PROGRAM

Working with communitygroups, associations and agencies,the Manitoba FisheriesEnhancement Initiative is a govern-ment fund for improving our fishpopulations and fish habitat. In2001/02 the Initiative invested$350,000 in conservation, enhance-ment, communication and educa-tion projects throughout theprovince. Part of the funds wereused for program promotion, thestamp painting competition andartist’s prize, producing the 2002Fisheries Enhancement Stamp andlimited edition print, producing abrochure and poster, and an adver-tisement in the 2002 Sport FishingGuide. Many of the projects fund-ed by the Initiative were done inco-operation with other govern-ment and non-government agen-cies. This ensures that fisheriesenhancement values are incorpo-rated in other sectors, like agricul-ture, forestry and highways, fur-thering Manitoba’s efforts to buildsustainable economic development.

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF MANITOBA CONSERVATION

I am pleased to present the annualreport of the Manitoba FisheriesEnhancement Initiative.

In the 2001/2002 year, participation inthe Initiative resulted in 23 projects receiv-ing funds. Many projects were directedeither at watershed surveys generatedthrough watershed stewardship groups orat site-specific projects identified in earlierinventories.

The dedication, desire and enthusiasm of Manitobans supportingwatershed stewardship greatly assists in delivering the FEI program.

This was another successful year for the FEI annual stamp paint-ing competition with 31 paintings entered. The winning entry is anexample of the world-renowned angling resource we have right herein the Red River — the catfish. Production of the stamp and limitededition print provides an opportunity to promote the Initiative andhighlight the incredible and abundant artistic talent that we have inour province.

I thank you for supporting the Manitoba Fisheries EnhancementInitiative and making it a benefit to all Manitobans.

Steve AshtonMinister Manitoba Conservation

INTRODUCTION

The projects funded by the Fisheries Enhancement Initiative aredescribed under four categories:

1. Stream Enhancement includes watershed surveys, riffles and pools, stream bank rehabilitation and fishways.

2. Lake Enhancement includes aeration and riparian protection.3. Population Management includes screening, stocking, transfers and

rearing ponds.4. Public Education includes projects that inform the public about

fisheries issues.

A brief summary of each category and its projects follows.

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Stream enhancement effortsfocus on improving habitat pro-ductivity to increase the abundanceor diversity of fish. Althoughmany short sections of streamshave been improved, there are anincreasing number of projects thatconsider all the land area (water-shed) that contributes runoff to astream. This is based on the recog-nition that what affects productivi-ty in one part of a watershed even-tually affects other sites down-stream. Watershed rehabilitation isa way to protect, conserve andrestore the environmental qualityof watersheds for people, aquaticlife and wildlife.

STREAM ENHANCEMENT

WATERSHED SURVEYS

A watershed approach usually involves the participation of many inter-ested stewards and a consultant to:

• identify issues, compile background information, inventory tributaries; • identify and prioritize sites and; • design and implement rehabilitation measures.

PROJECTS:

1. Boshill, Stony, Nisco and Gopher CreeksWest Souris River Conservation DistrictFunding: $18,500Project Status: Near Completion

The evaluation of these four streams is a continued effort to evaluate streams inthe district. A report will compile information gathered from all the inventoriesand provide a prioritized list of actions needed to restore the health of these sys-tems. The information generated from these evaluations provides importantfisheries data necessary to making sound management decisions.

2. Valley RiverValley River Watershed BoardFunding: $25,000Project Status: Completed

Stakeholders in the Valley River watershed came together over concerns withwater quality. They formed the Valley River Watershed Board and under thedirection of the Intermountain Conservation District hired a consultant to evalu-ate current land use practices along the Valley River that might negatively affectwater quality and fish habitat. A report of this watershed study was produced.

ENHANCEMENT TECHNIQUES

The following are enhancement techniques used to improve watershedsand site-specific areas within watersheds. Some projects use a combinationof techniques to restore streams affected by a variety of interrelated prob-lems. These techniques can include riffle-pool sequences and fishways, aswell as fencing, bank armouring with rock (rip-rap), bank revegetation anddebris removal. Soil bioengineering is another tool now used to providelong-term bank stability. This technique involves the use of live woody veg-etation. Dormant cuttings of willow, cottonwood or other species areinstalled along the shoreline. The cuttings quickly generate root mass thatbinds the soil together and, in time, the above-ground portion providesshade along the stream.

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Enhancement, on Brookdale Drain (a),through fencing (b), off-stream waterers (c)and controlled crossings will reduce theamount of erosion and nutrients enteringLake Irwin. Proposed sites were identifiedas high priority in the 1998/99 inventory.

PROJECTS:

1. Lake Manitoba West Side Tributaries InventoryLake Manitoba Fish Enhancement CommitteeFunding: $25,000 redirected to Watchorn Creek and Fish Line Drain

EnhancementProject Status: Ongoing

The proponents submitted this proposal to continue a study of the tributariesthat enter the north basin of Lake Manitoba, this time focusing on the west side.Once a stakeholder group was established on the west side it made more senseto have a proposal come from them so the $25,000 was redirected to site specif-ic enhancement sites on Watchorn Creek and Fish Line Drain. These sites wereidentified in the Phase I Inventory report as sources of nutrient and sedimentloading. Fencing and off-stream watering devices were installed and rotationalgrazing practices implemented to re-establish stream bank vegetation.

2. Sturgeon CreekManitoba Wildlife FederationFunding: $15,000Project Status: Completed

This ongoing effort to rehabilitate Sturgeon Creek involved the planning anddesign of riffles in the upstream urban and rural reaches. A consultant alsodetermined options for integrating Grant's Lake Marsh with Sturgeon Creek toreturn the creek and its headwater marsh into a functioning watershed with themarsh providing fish spawning and rearing areas and water quality benefits.

3. Brookdale DrainWhitemud Watershed Conservation DistrictFunding: $25,000Project Status: Completed

Brookdale Drain enters Lake Irwin and was identified as acontributor to the declining water quality in the lake. LakeIrwin, a main waterbody in the Neepawa area, is heavily usedfor recreation and in particular, fishing. Stream bankenhancement through fencing, off-stream waterers and con-trolled crossings will reduce the amount of erosion and nutri-ents entering Lake Irwin.

a

cb

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4. ProvincialMinnedosa Lake Rehabilitation Committee / International Erosion Control AssociationFunding: $2,500Project Status: Completed

A waterjet stinger was purchased for a two-day workshop to demonstrate howthis tool is used to reduce erosion and protect water quality during construction.The waterjet stinger drills holes for planting unrooted willow and cottonwoodcuttings. The Manitoba Conservation District's Association now has it for furtherdemonstration and education.

PROJECTS:

1. Plum CreekTown of SourisFunding: $19,955Project Status: Completed

Fish passage was provided at an obstruction on Plum Creek by placing rock onthe downstream face of the weir and constructing a riffle immediately down-stream. The Town of Souris also resloped and armoured 130 meters of bank toreduce sediment load to the creek.

2. Shell RiverLake of the Prairies Conservation DistrictFunding: $6,500Project Status: Completed

A watershed inventory on the Shell River identified Inglis Beach dam as an

One of the advantages of the waterjetstinger system (a & b) compared to thestinger (c) is it is simple to operate andtransport with minimal training requiredbefore operating. The stinger drills holesfor planting un-rooted willow and cotton-wood cuttings.

FISHWAYS

Most fishways use either weirsor baffles to reduce water velocityand create compartments or poolsof slow water where fish can rest.These structures enable fish toclimb, through a series of steps,over or around high dams andwaterfalls.

a

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The Inglis Beach dam on the Shell Riverblocks fish migration to upstreamspawning, nursery, feeding and over-wintering habitats. A consultant washired to investigate a range of remedialoptions for providing passage.

obstruction to fish passage. A consultant investigated a range of remedialoptions for providing fish passage at the dam while protecting the plunge pooldownstream currently utilized by fish and maintaining the upstream pool usedfor recreational purposes. Shell River is home to the chestnut lamprey and big-mouth shiner, two fish listed as "Species of Concern" by COSEWIC. The projectoffers an opportunity to raise public awareness on the importance of healthyfish habitat and its role in maintaining rare and valued species. All life stages ofwalleye were collected in the reach below the dam.

LAKE ENHANCEMENT

PROJECTS:

1. Kingfisher Lake, Birds Hill ParkManitoba Fly Fishers AssociationFunding: $25,000Project Status: On hold

Opportunities to fly fish for trout are limited in southern Manitoba especially forthe physically challenged. Kingfisher Lake at Birds Hill Park was deepened andan aeration unit installed to support a trout fishery. Fishing platform and trailswere developed so the fishery is accessible to all. Since these works, pike werediscovered in the lake and ongoing project plans to re-establish a trout fisheryare on hold.

2. Arrow LakeRossburn Game and Fish AssociationFunding: $15,000Project Status: Completed

Arrow Lake has been a very successful walleye fishery in the western region formany years. It is stocked annually and natural reproduction is thought to beminimal if any. The lake has been demonstrating declining oxygen levels inrecent years and has experienced partial winter kills that have affected anglingquality and stocking success. A total lake aeration unit was purchased andinstalled to address this issue.

Many natural factors, includ-ing water quantity, depth andchemistry, determine what fishspecies a lake can support. Humanfactors, including fishing, changesin land use around lakes, nutrientloading and introduction of newspecies have altered fish communi-ties in Manitoba lakes. Lakeenhancement techniques in thiscategory deal with specific prob-lems like low oxygen levels, lack ofspawning areas, shoreline stabiliza-tion or water level control. Asgrowing awareness brings con-cerned persons, cottagers and fishand game associations together, anew approach to lake enhancementwill take place — lake managementassociations. Lake managementassociations will work hard toimprove the health of the wholelake system.

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3. Parkland RegionFish and Lake Improvement Program for the Parkland Region (FLIPPR)Funding: $5,925Project Status: Completed

FLIPPR would like to increase trout fishing opportunities in their region. Theyhave done preliminary surveys of 42 lakes through a grant from HumanResources and the Employment Partnership Program. They need to do a morein-depth investigation of the top-ranked lakes to determine their ability to growtrophy trout. FLIPPR will then determine the lake's suitability or need for winteraeration. If aeration is required they will also determine landowner accessissues, hydroelectric availability and future liability issues.

4. Patterson LakeFish and Lake Improvement for the Parkland Region (FLIPPR)Funding: $22,493Project Status: Completed

A total lake aeration system was purchased for Patterson Lake. This lake islocated in the RM of Rossburn. It was identified in a previous study undertakenby the proponent as the most suitable lake for the development of a trout fish-ery with the aid of aeration. The intent of the proposal is to create additionaltrout angling opportunities for Manitobans.

5. Goudney ReservoirPembina Valley Conservation DistrictFunding: $7,800Project Status: Ongoing

Goudney Reservoir provides the community with a source of drinking water andsustains a reasonable fishery. Current land use practices around the reservoirand in-flowing creek are threatening both the water quality and the fishery. Theland management plan will provide alternative practices that are environmental-ly sustainable.

The Parkland Region has a couple lakesthat have reputations as world class troutfisheries. In this proposal FLIPPR wouldlike to develop two more lakes to the samestatus.

Goudney Reservoir provides the communi-ty with a source of drinking water and sus-tains a reasonable fishery. Current land usepractices around the reservoir and in-flow-ing creek are threatening both the waterquality and fishery. The land managementplan will provide alternative practices thatare more environmentally friendly.

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Population managementincludes many fisheries assessmentand research techniques, such asangler creel and gill-net surveys.Information from these surveys isused in developing fishing regula-tions and land-use controls toensure that enough fish can spawnat least once before being caughtby anglers or commercial fisher-men. Fisheries managers conductfisheries assessment and research,often with help from interestedgroups. User groups become moreinvolved with fish populationmanagement through various tech-niques, such as rearing, screening,stocking or transferring.

POPULATION MANAGEMENT

PROJECT:

1. Chitek LakeLake Waterhen Fishermen’s AssociationFunding: $25,000Project Status: Ongoing

Twenty-six years ago there were no walleye in Chitek or Inland Lake until theprovince started stocking them annually. Now a commercial fishery exists, how-ever there is limited to no natural spawning habitat for the walleye. TheAssociation will build a permanent fish hatchery at Chitek Lake to collect andincubate the spawn. The fry will be used to restock Chitek, Inland, Archies, Craband Waterhen Lakes. This is an ideal example of when a hatchery and stockingare useful tools as there is no concern of interfering with existing naturalspawning opportunities.

Hatcheries can offer an opportunity to rearfry where limited natural spawning condi-tions exist. The fry are then used to stocklakes. Stocking is a useful tool in “put andtake” fisheries, or in creating a fishery thatdid not exist.

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Education, of both adults andyoung people, helps to create a car-ing public that will ensure fish andtheir habitat will not be lost tofuture generations. FisheriesBranch has sought to educateaquatic stewards in subjects rang-ing from fish biology and popula-tion requirements to alternativespecies and the option of catch andrelease. In doing so, concernedand educated individuals andgroups have become involved inmanaging the resource. Theycollect data, work on habitatenhancement projects, offer sug-gestions for improving regulationsand become themselves a meansfor promoting fisheries education.All of us can make constructivecontributions to improving theenvironment in which we live, butfirst we need to know why andhow.

EDUCATION

PROJECTS:

1. Northern ManitobaNelson River Sturgeon Co-Management BoardFunding: $25,000Project Status: Completed

A variety of educational materials were produced (annual newsletter, CD-rom,web-site, brochure and displays) and distributed by an individual from each par-ticipating community. The participating communities were Norway House, CrossLake, Wabowden, Thicket Portage, Pikwitonei, Split Lake and York Landing.

2. ProvincialFish Futures Inc.Funding: $9,000Project Status: Completed

Fifty thousand copies of an educational booklet called “Get Hooked on FIshing”were produced. The booklet is aimed at children ages five and up and containspuzzles, crosswords and quizzes relating to fish biology, habitats, food chainsand fishing techniques. It is distributed to the general public at various eventsand through requests.

3. South Tobacco CreekDeerwood Soil and Water Management AssociationFunding: $11,500Project Status: Completed

This study has direct implications for future watershed management planningand the use of small headwater dams as nutrient catchment basins.Precipitation (rainfall/snowfall) and runoff water was monitored, sampled andanalysed and watershed land management practices inventoried.

4. ProvincialManitoba Arts NetworkFunding: $4,500Project Status: Completed

The Manitoba Arts Network promoted the Fisheries Enhancement Annual StampCompetition and Manitoba's abundant artistic talent through a 12-month exhib-it of the 2001 entries. The exhibition started at the Sam Waller museum in ThePas. Educational fisheries material that Fisheries Branch developed was alsoprovided to each gallery for their community programming.

5. Fort Whyte CentreFunding: $25,000Project Status: Completed

Fort Whyte is using a newly acquired lake as both a sport fishery and an aquaticeducation field site. They needed assistance in developing the Aquatic Field Station,a year round facility constructed to hold fishing education programs and field stud-ies. The sport fishery and field station compliments the branch's educational objec-tives and the Urban Angling Program that Fisheries Branch developed.

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6. Kids and Creeks - Broughten CreekLittle Saskatchewan River Conservation DistrictFunding: $6,000Project Status: Completed

A water quality test kit, reactants and supplies were purchased and are beingused to increase awareness on the Little Saskatchewan River watershed, in par-ticular Broughten’s Creek. High school students used the equipment to monitorand evaluate water quality. The Conservation District is looking at a five-yearcommitment to this program. Results will be useful to the steering committeeinvolved in the Broughten Creek integrated watershed plan.

7. ProvincialRural Options ConsultingFunding: $4,500Project Status: Completed

The proponent will continue to promote the Fisheries Enhancement InitiativeFund by researching and showcasing six projects in articles distributed to a num-ber of media venues throughout Manitoba.

8. ProvincialManitoba Wildlife FederationFunding: $9,000Project Status: Completed

These funds provided first-time start-up costs for theRecreational Fishing League directed at Manitoba'syouth. The two-year pilot project was very success-ful. The main program objective was to promoteangling interest by providing angling opportunitiesfor Manitoba youth. Each team of six to eight youth,between the ages of nine to 15 and under the direc-tion of two coaches, went fishing weekly for a six-week period. Although they could fish as often asthey wanted they could only submit their catch sum-mary from one two-hour session per week. Thiscatch summary was entered onto a web site where

A recreational fishing league offers kidsfrom around the Province a fun and friendly fishing event. Teams fish weeklyand compete by entering their best catches.

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weekly tallies from all the teams were stored. An annual program, theRecreational Fishing League is a province-wide initiative.

9. ProvincialFish Futures Inc.Funding: $3,000Project Status: Completed

A consultant was hired to compile information on Manitoba's "Six Species ofConcern" as identified through COSEWIC. The information included the species'biology, habitat preferences and threats to habitat. The consultant then designedand produced a brochure. The brochure will help to increase the public's under-standing of COSEWIC designation and the species identified for Manitoba.

These six species have been designated byCOSEWIC as “species of concern.” A pub-lic information brochure, focusing on whythey are important, their habitat and biolo-gy, was produced.

bigmouth buffalo bigmouth shiner

rosyface shiner silver chub

chestnut lamprey northern brook lamprey

Manitoba FisheriesEnhancement Initiative

MANITOBA FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVEManitoba Conservation

Fisheries Branch200 Saulteaux Crescent

Winnipeg, ManitobaR3J 3W3

Telephone: (204) 945-7797 Fax: (204) 948-2308

Images used for these enhancement stamps are also used for limited edition prints. For informationon prices and how to order please refer to the address or phone number listed above.

MANITOBAFISHERIESENHANCEMENTSTAMP

1997TIMBRE POUR LA MISE EN VALEUR DE LA PÊCHE AU MANITOBATIMBRE POUR LA MISE EN VALEUR DE LA PÊCHE AU MANITOBA


STAMP

2000


STAMP

2000



1996


STAMP

TIMBRE POUR LA MISE EN VALEUR DE LA PÊCHE AU MANITOBA

20012001

TIMBRE POUR LA MISE EN VALEUR DE LA PÊCHE AU MANITOBATIMBRE POUR LA MISE EN VALEUR DE LA PÊCHE AU MANITOBA

2001-2002STAMP


1993

MANITOBA FISHERIES ENHANCEMENTSTAMP


1994

MANITOBA FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT MANITOBA FISHERIES ENHANCEMENTSTAMP


1995

manitoba fisheries enhancement initiative … · manitoba fisheries enhancement initiative ......

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