Urban Streams are Viewing Year-round Habitat Opportunities The spawning portion of the fish life cycle Five species of salmon (sockeye, coho, depends on very specific environmental con- chum, chinook and pink) begin and end life ditions. All fish need clean water, the right in freshwater streams and rivers, but spend amount of oxygen, and a narrow water tem- most of their life in the ocean. These perature range. When adult fish return to species are usually on a four year cycle, spawn they need enough clean water and except pink salmon which have a two year unobstructed river and streams for migration cycle. The most spectacular of these five to their spawning grounds. Sometimes this species is the sockeye salmon. Sockeye basic need for clear waterways is over- turn bright red during the spawning period. looked. Small but important urban fish-bearing The Weaver Creek Spawning Channel is the streams are lost or are in critical condition best site in the Lower Mainland Region to because streams are being used as dumps observe sockeye. Fish Viewing in for old and other discarded items, are being culverted and covered over as part of city Urban Streams growth, or are loosing streamside vegetation Kokanee, salmon that spend their entire life that is needed for maintaining viable habitat. in freshwater, may be observed at several sites. Migrating steelhead trout can be seen Lower Mainland Region at the Coquihalla Canyon Recreation Area. Very small streams provide critical habitat Cutthroat trout usually spawn in the spring for juvenile fish to live and grow Salmon fry months. However, there is a rare population will spend up to 1 year in local freshwater of coastal cutthroat trout that may be viewed streams before they migrate to the sea, at the outlet of Ruby Lake from mid October while young trout may inhabit freshwater through November. streams for up to 3 years before migration. Therefore, stream habitat must be main- tained throughout the year, not just during Spawning fish attract other wildlife species the time spawning occurs. What happens to that come to feed on the dead and dying Thirty-two Lower Mainland Region sites the stream during the rest of the year will fish. The most spectacular of these species where you may go to observe fish during the determine if spawning will occur, if the eggs is the Bald Eagle. Three excellent places to spawning portion of their life cycle are identi- laid will survive and hatch, and if the newly view eagles are in the Squamish area and in fied in this brochure. These sites are repre- emerging fish fry will live. the Harrison Bay area from November to sentative of the hundreds of important small January, and in the fang Creek area from streams that provide critical, year-round fish late October to December. habitat. Many opportunities exist for you to participate with local groups in projects involving the maintenance and enhance- ment of fish streams. Fish Viewing You Can British Columbia Wildlife Watch is the Ministry of Etiquette Help Fish Environment, Lands and Parks’ Many groups and organizations are already program designed to promote Viewing fish demands courtesy and com- involved in specific projects. There are many viewing opportunities within mon sense. For the well being of fish, other ways in which you can get involved in British Columbia. The protec- wildlife, and their habitats please follow stream enhancement activities. As a volun- tion of wildlife and their habitat, and a posi- these guidelines: teer you can share the responsibility for pro- tive, safe experience for the viewer are the tecting aquatic habitats in your community. primary objectives of this program. Many Be Considerate of Fish and Wildlife - Where You can learn to recognize habitat problems local communities, other agencies and pub- possible, use binoculars to view from a and to help design and undertake restora- lic conservation groups are involved. For distance rather than approaching too tion projects. Participate in an existing proj- more information on these or other wildlife closely. ect, or start a new one in your area. viewing sites, contact the Regional BC Environment office in Surrey [#301 - 10334 - Be Considerate of Habitat - Plants are an 152A Street, Surrey, B.C. V3R 7P8; (604) important part of fish and wildlife habitat. There are two information and funding pro- 582-5200]. Please do not damage or remove them, grams to assist you. The Urban Salmon and stay on designated trails or roads. Habitat Program of the provincial Ministry The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund is a of Environment, Lands and Parks, focusses financial sponsor of British Columbia Be Considerate of Other People - Respect on fish habitat protection, enhancement and Wildlife Watch. For information on this fund private property and the viewing activi- awareness in urban areas of the Georgia write the Ministry of Environment, Lands and ties of others. Basin. Urban stream stewardship is a key Parks, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C. component. For more information contact V8V 1X4. Control Pets - Pets can harm fish and the Regional BC Environment office in wildlife and can hinder viewing opportu- Surrey [#301 - 10334 - 152A Street, Surrey, The Federation of British Columbia nities. Keeps pets on a leash and do not B.C. V3R 7P8; (604) 582-5200]. Naturalists Foundation supports the goals, allow them to enter streams when fish objectives and activities of British are spawning. Columbia Wildlife Watch. For information Streamkeepers, a program of the federal on this foundation write #321 - 1367 West Throwing Rocks - Throwing rocks or other Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. V6H 4A9. items into streams will disturb spawning encourages good watershed practices fish, and may cause siltation that pre- through productive, hands-on involvement. Funds for the printing of this brochure were vents eggs from hatching. Community stewardship is a key compo- obtained for British Columbia Wildlife nent. For information contact the Pacific Watch by the Federation of British Remove Garbage - Please dispose of all Streamkeepers Federation [720 Orwell Columbia Naturalists Foundation from the garbage in a proper, receptacle. Rivers, Street, North Vancouver, B.C. V7J 2G3; Urban Salmon Habitat Program. streams and ditches are not garbage (604) 986-5059]. dumps. Printed on 100% post-consumer, non-de-inked paper. 10/96 - 20,000 ALM .