NORTH CENTRAL NATIVE TROUT RECOVERY PROGRAM North Saskatchewan River & Lower Ram River Edmonton N o ³ North r t Saskatchewan Red Deer h Sa River ska tc Study Area h e w a n R i v e r Calgary B ig B ea ve r C reek Ca H ny a Sh on ve un C n da re C Cr ek re ee e k Su k n se ek k D t Cre C e ee r p re e e Gon C st C r ik e Bu a re k h C C e ree k ic y k k a e ek n k re C C n ut r u ro e S T Bighorn R e ive G k k r k a k ee e e r p re e C C r C ine !. k und C c re L o e n J r E k o a P s C h K eR y e oyc i h k l J v u ee o t e i Ro gh Cr Bull Creek i r w t dd li C i C p reek ek L r e r C e C C e a r in k r e ad e e Taw e K iska Creek k k Nort k h Ram e Riv e er r !. C k !.!. o t e e !. n i r C P l O l !. tt a e F !. r C Abraham r ee !. Lake k !. !. !. !. Lynx C !. Roadway Stream Crossing nion C reek O reek Inspection k !. ee !.!. Cr !.!. ird gb !. Proposed Fishing Closure in eek m Cr !. !. m y !. u ar !.!. H an C !.!. Open to Fishing Ram ive r !. R !. Kilometers Currently Closed to Fishing Produced by Red Deer-North Saskatchewan k !. e Region, Operations Division e !. nger C r 0 5 10 20 !. Base Map Data provided by the Government of Alberta Ra !. Ram River Preliminary !. under the Alberta Open Government Licence. November, 2014 !. © 2017 Government of Alberta !. Recreational Use Asessment Information as depicted is subject to change, therefore the Government of Alberta assumes no responsibility for discrepancies at time of use. Bull Trout Not Present The North Central Native Trout Recovery Program is a long term initiative to recover native trout and whitefish in NORTH SASKATCHEWAN RIVER AND the central and northern East Slopes of Alberta. During the LOWER RAM RIVER WATERSHED Program, management actions will be implemented in focal This portion of the North Saskatchewan River watershed watersheds, with successful management actions applied includes the area between Abraham Lake and the in subsequent watersheds over time. The Program is part of confluence with the Brazeau River, including the lower Ram River watershed. Historically, native fish in this area d an integrated provincial Fisheries Management approach, x m . which means it is linked to the Provincial bull trout and were abundant and widely distributed. However, using M A R Athabasca rainbow trout recovery planning processes, information collected from standardized surveys, bull trout _ R S whirling disease and invasive species management, and the populations are currently considered at moderate to high N \ g n risk of local extirpation. Based on the best available science, i provincial Roadway Watercourse Crossings Remediation p p a program. bull trout are currently limited by four key threats: mortality M _ 0 from fishing (catch & release and harvest), poaching, habitat 1 C U fragmentation (barriers that prevent fish movement), and H _ R reduced water quality (due to higher sediment loads). T L B \ s e i r e h s i ISBN 978-1-4601-3545-7 (Print) F \ s t c ISBN 978-1-4601-3546-4 (PDF) e j o r P \ : U : h t a P t n e m u c 1:800,000 o D Fisheries Management Objective Next Steps–2017/2018 The fisheries management objective for the North Fish Population Assessment: Standardized electrofishing Saskatchewan River and Lower Ram River watershed surveys will be conducted to assess current fish abundance is to establish and maintain a sustainable fishery for bull and distribution. This information will allow Fisheries trout and mountain whitefish. To achieve this objective, Biologists to evaluate the success of management actions the Government of Alberta will recover fish populations by and track population recovery. implementing management actions that address the 4 key threats identified above. Water Temperature Assessment: Water temperature will be assessed throughout the watershed to identify areas that provide thermally suitable habitat for bull trout. In other Management Actions words, providing information on where bull trout should if there were no other limiting factors. 1. Address fishing mortality: A fishing closure is proposed for a portion of the North Saskatchewan River and OHV Trail Assessments: Assessment of Fall Creek to tributaries and the Lower Ram River watershed (see identify areas with high OHV disturbance. map above). Sections of the watershed that are currently closed will remain closed to angling. Roadway Stream Crossing Inspections: Standardized inspections of culverts and bridges to locate barriers to fish 2. Address poaching: Fisheries Management is working movement and sedimentation concerns due to erosion. with enforcement agencies to ensure fishing closures are effective. Fisheries Management Public Survey: We want to hear 3. Address habitat fragmentation: Habitat related from you! An online public survey will be posted to invite management actions may include remediating fish Albertans to comment on the proposed temporary fishing movement barriers, such as hanging culverts. closure. 4. Address water quality: Mitigation of point sources of sediment and phosphorous runoff, which may include areas of OHV disturbance. Specific actions depend on the results of fish habitat assessments in 2017 and 2018. Fisheries Management will work with key stakeholders and regulators to implement management actions. Bull trout captured upstream of Rocky Mountain House Fishing on the North Saskatchewan River WEBSITE INFORMATION Mywildalberta.ca http://aep.alberta.ca/recreation-public-use/default.aspx North Saskatchewan River main stem Aug 15, 2017 North Central Native Trout Recovery Program.