Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services - Heavy fishing pressure on the Ingraham Trail has government officials wondering if catch limits ought to be reduced.

On Monday evening, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will hold a public meeting to gather input on possible regulation changes for lakes along the highway.

The meeting will be held from 7-9 p.m. at Northern United Place.

Fishery officer Gerald Fillatre said fishing pressure is heavier on the Ingraham Trail than most other areas in the NWT because of its close proximity to Yellowknife, but people may have other views on why fish numbers are declining.

"I've heard some people say (decreased stocks) could be due to the contaminants in some of the lakes, or maybe the habitat is not up to par," said Fillatre.

"So we just want to see what the public is concerned with."

Fillatre said lakes that could be affected by reduced catch limits would likely be those that have boat launch access, like Prosperous Lake, Prelude Lake and Reid Lake.

Currently, daily catch limits on the Ingraham Trail are the same as most other areas in the territory: three lake trout, four pickerel except during the spring spawn, three pike, and three arctic grayling except for Baker Creek, which is zero.

The department is also planning meetings with aboriginal groups in the area about the proposed changes.