Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 22/99) - Sport fishers should expect to go with barbless hooks on Great Slave Lake next year if the Department of Fisheries and Oceans accepts a Great Slave Advisory committee resolution.

Fact File - In 1994, Fisheries and Oceans distributed 587 surveys to charter operators, outfitters and potential anglers -- 156 were returned. - In 1986, Fisheries and Oceans distributed 612 surveys -- 157 were returned. The surveys were given to fishers using the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. - Anglers who responded to the 1994 survey caught 1,961 lake trout. They kept 337 of these fish. If those who did not respond were equally successful, 1,267 trout were kept. - Anglers who responded to the 1986 survey caught 1,859 lake trout. They kept 403 of these fish. If those who did not respond were equally successful, 712 lake trout were kept. - Most lake trout caught on the East Arm by itinerant anglers were released. In 1994, some 6,105, or 83 per cent, of lake trout caught were released. In 1986, some 2,572, or 78 per cent, of lake trout caught were released. - And what about release numbers for the lowly northern pike? Well, for every 500 pike caught by East Arm anglers in 1994, only a dozen were kept. In 1986, for every 500 pike caught, 19 were kept. - About four-fifths of survey respondents live in the NWT, most in Yellowknife.

The motion, brought forward by Fisherman's Federation member Kim Tybring at a biannual committee meeting earlier this month, was carried unanimously.

"As a business issue, barbless was the biggest," committee chair Stephen Charlie said.

Fish caught on a barbless hook and released are less likely to sustain damage.

Lodges often require guests to go barbless, but when it comes to the number of fish taken, fishing pressure from non-lodge anglers is very likely higher than that of lodges, Charlie said.

"The (barbless) decision rests with the department (of fisheries and oceans)," Charlie added.

But, he says, most motions carried in this manner, are supported federally.

Grant Nowland, who was at the advisory committee meeting -- Nowland is with Plummer's, a well-known Great Slave Lake East Arm tourist lodge -- could not be reached for comment.

Going barbless would benefit the resource and those who use it, Charlie said.

The advisory committee's motion follows a Fisheries and Oceans report which also recommends going barbless.

"The mandatory use of barbless hooks should be a legislated requirement for the Great Slave Lake Sport Fishery," according to the 1999-released comparison of fish harvests from the East Arm of Great Slave Lake sport anglers survey. As well, an educational program for itinerant anglers should be developed to improve fish-handling techniques and reduce release mortality.

The Fisheries and Oceans report, which includes a comparison of survey results from 1994 and 1986, also recommends that once land claims affecting the area are settled, a management plan should be developed for the East Arm.

The report also warns "conflict amongst the lodge-based fishery, the Lutsel K'e aboriginal food fishery, and the itinerant angler fishery is possible if levels of harvest increase for any of these fisheries."

And if Area Six, a part of the East Arm, "is to be managed as a high-quality sport fishery, trout harvest must be maintained at a low level and distributed over a large area to ensure the survival of large trophy trout."

Area Six is the top end of the East Arm. Plummers Lodge, Lutsel K'e, McLeod Bay and the area north of the Hearne Channel are part of Area Six.