Whitefish River FN still has a rainbow of fish species

By Maureen Pelletier

Whitefish River FN has always been in the forefront in ensuring their natural resources remain intact – and this year was no different.  Having completed studies on Walleye (pickerel) and Lake Whitefish in 2012, the First Nation will be gearing up once again for another project this spring in McGregor Bay.

In April 2012, 120 Walleye were tagged at the mouth of the Whitefish River (all were sampled and released).  Captured Walleye were between 3 and 19 years of age.

In order to track the walleye and their growth, each captured fish had a Floy tag inserted near the dorsal fin.

All tagged fish should be reported to the WRFN Band Office or the A/OFRC.  Previous walleye studies by the A/OFRC, WRFN and the MNR have dated back to 2001 when abundance was at a low.

At the end of July, Whitefish River First Nation also completed a Lake Whitefish Index Netting in the Bay of Islands area.

Twenty-one different species were caught in the Bay of Islands, including the invasive species sea lamprey and round goby.

A total of 24 nets were set resulting in 61 Lake Whitefish being sampled.

One interesting note was the capture of a 22-year-old Lake Whitefish!  It weighed 4.3 pounds and was 21 inches long.

This article originally posted April 18, 2013.