INUVIK - Snowmobilers are destroying fish habitat in the Boot Lake area that feeds into the Mackenzie River and may be facing fines if they keep it up, said Amanda Joynt.

Amanda Joynt, fish habitat biologist for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, crouches at the Boot Lake area where fish and frogs are being threatened by snowmobiles. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"I don't think a lot of people really realize what they're doing," said Joynt, a fish habitat biologist for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Inuvik. "We want to let them know that what they're doing causes serious consequences."

The area, bordered by Boot Lake Road and Boot Lake Park, contains unfrozen tributaries where fish - primarily pike - are currently spawning. Joynt said many snowmobiles are driving through the open water, wreaking havoc on several different fish species.

"It's basically creating a situation where they can't live or breathe; they can't see," she said. "The snowmobilers are stirring up a lot of sediment, which can really affect fish eggs and fish themselves."

Apart from pike, mostly whitefish and minnows frequent the river tributaries to hunt and lay their eggs. Come next spring, fish will also have to contend with more sediment in the water because the snowmobiles are tearing up the vegetation along the water's edge, which means more soil erosion.

She said frogs trying to hibernate below the exposed soil are at risk as well.

Joynt said she and other fisheries officers visited the area early last week after residents living nearby called the office with noise complaints.

Though most of the drivers fled, they were able to talk to a few snowmobilers and explain the damage they were doing to the area.

Until the water in the area is frozen and the area is completely snow-covered, snowmobilers are not permitted in the area and Joynt said the department will consider putting up signs warning snowmobilers to stay away. Terry Stein, field supervisor officer for DFO in Inuvik, said if the problem continues then the department might start issuing fines to offenders. But for now he said the focus is on trying to raise awareness about the problem.

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