Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River (Nov 11/02) - The Great Slave Lake Advisory Committee wants to protect the East Arm's world-class trophy trout status.

The committee has recommended reducing the catch and possession limits for trout on that area of the lake.

The new limit would be a daily catch of one fish and two fish in possession.

"Your maximum possession is only two," explains George Low, a fisheries management biologist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

If an angler eats a trout, it can be replaced with another, although Low notes most anglers catch and release the fish.

This year, the limits were two daily catches and three fish in possession.

Low, who is a member of the advisory committee, says the new limits will probably come into effect next May.

The biologist explains the recommendation is a precautionary measure.

"Basically, lake trout is a species that's very easily over-exploited," he says.

However, he notes the proposed new limits do not mean the stocks are currently over-exploited, but are a means to ensure the supply of large trout.

The recommendation, which will now go to DFO, covers Area 6 - McLeod Bay, Christie Bay and northeast portions of the Hearne Channel.

Low says patrols by the Lutsel K'e Dene Band, under contract to DFO, show that newer types of boats have greater range and can access more areas of the East Arm.

And a study between 1986 and 1994 showed an increase in the catch by itinerant fishers (those not fishing out of a lodge).

Rather than undertake a study which might take five or 10 years, it makes sense to take steps now to protect the trophy trout status, Low says.

Besides, he notes there is no funding currently available to conduct studies.

There is no commercial fishery in the area.

It has also been proposed that all trout over 70 centimetres in length should be returned to the water.

"They're a very important part of the spawning population," explains Low, who adds those fish also have the genetic make-up to grow to a large size.

That recommendation is still subject to consultation.

This year, an angler could keep only one trout over 70 centimetres in length.

Low says trophy trout fishing is a very important business in the East Arm, noting there are four lodges and a couple of outfitters operating in the area. The advisory committee met Oct. 28-29 in Hay River. It is made up of all user groups in the East Arm.