Multiple years of sampling to mark and recapture individuals completed between 2006 and 2008

Despite significant effort, population estimates were not as precise as hoped - Peterson and Jolly-Seber estimates showed significant differences for the same time periods

A small number of marked fish recaptured, insufficient mixing of tags between samples for Peterson estimates, and potential trap avoidance for Jolly-Seber estimates were potential problems

Given the constraints noted above, we evaluated all the data and established a population estimate that reflected the most likely compromise.

Population assessments suggest a population size of ~ 2500-4000 in both basins of Moyie Lake combined.

North Moyie – 1500 to 2500 adult burbot South Moyie – 1000 to 1200 adult burbot

Moyie Lake Stock StatusMoyie Lake Stock Status

Moyie Lake Angler UseMoyie Lake Angler Use

2007 2008

fishery almost entirely through icefishery almost entirely through ice

used trail cameras and angler interviews to track effort in 2007 and 2008used trail cameras and angler interviews to track effort in 2007 and 2008

Significant change in timing and location of angler effort in 2008Significant change in timing and location of angler effort in 2008

Fishery was “discovered” in 2008, with effort on spawning concentrations during the daylight Fishery was “discovered” in 2008, with effort on spawning concentrations during the daylight hours with significantly higher catch rateshours with significantly higher catch rates

Moyie Lake – Creel Survey and Fishery ManagementMoyie Lake – Creel Survey and Fishery Management

Fishery impacts could be a concern in this developing fishery and are being Fishery impacts could be a concern in this developing fishery and are being tracked. tracked. – 2007 - caught 515, harvested 1682007 - caught 515, harvested 168– 2008 – caught 1089, harvested 360 (may be an under-estimate of both effort 2008 – caught 1089, harvested 360 (may be an under-estimate of both effort

and catch)and catch)– Based on population estimates, this represents an annual exploitation rate of Based on population estimates, this represents an annual exploitation rate of

14-24%14-24%– Modeling of the historic Balfour burbot population suggests exploitation rates of Modeling of the historic Balfour burbot population suggests exploitation rates of

20% may have been sustainable for that population20% may have been sustainable for that population

New regulations are being implemented this winter (time period closure) to allow New regulations are being implemented this winter (time period closure) to allow some recreational opportunity, reduce the possibility for over-harvest, and limit the some recreational opportunity, reduce the possibility for over-harvest, and limit the exposure of spawning congregations to recreational anglingexposure of spawning congregations to recreational angling

Moyie Lake spawning locations identified in 2008 (creel info suggests spawning as early as the last week of January, Moyie Lake spawning locations identified in 2008 (creel info suggests spawning as early as the last week of January, and as late as the last week of February)and as late as the last week of February)

KTOI and MoE staff completed two trips to Moyie, the first we identified spawning sites, while the second was targeted KTOI and MoE staff completed two trips to Moyie, the first we identified spawning sites, while the second was targeted on collecting gametes for fish culture activitieson collecting gametes for fish culture activities

We were successful in collecting sperm (50+ samples in one day) and KTOI staff established high motility using We were successful in collecting sperm (50+ samples in one day) and KTOI staff established high motility using extender after 1 week.extender after 1 week.

Although one ripe female was collected on the first trip, none were collected when we attempted to collect gametes on Although one ripe female was collected on the first trip, none were collected when we attempted to collect gametes on the second tripthe second trip

New capture methods will be employed in 2009 when we again attempt to provide gametes and should improve our New capture methods will be employed in 2009 when we again attempt to provide gametes and should improve our catch of femalescatch of females

Moyie Lake Burbot BiologyMoyie Lake Burbot Biology

Spawning congregation observed on Moyie Lake – Spring 2008Spawning congregation observed on Moyie Lake – Spring 2008

Moyie Lake Burbot BiologyMoyie Lake Burbot Biology

Next steps:Next steps:

– monitoring donor population (ongoing assessments of angling effort and monitoring donor population (ongoing assessments of angling effort and population strength)population strength)

– refining methods for providing broodstock while minimize impact to donor refining methods for providing broodstock while minimize impact to donor stock (ie. capture, spawning and release at spawning location instead of stock (ie. capture, spawning and release at spawning location instead of removal and captive stock)removal and captive stock)

– provide up to 3 million fertilized eggs to U of I for fish culture experimentsprovide up to 3 million fertilized eggs to U of I for fish culture experiments

Turning the Tides - Turning the Tides - Burbot Recovery EffortsBurbot Recovery Efforts

Funding for this work provided by:Funding for this work provided by:

•Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and Idaho Dept of Fish and Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and Idaho Dept of Fish and Game through the Bonneville Power Administration Game through the Bonneville Power Administration (Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s Fish And (Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s Fish And Wildlife Program)Wildlife Program)

•BC Mountain Pine Beetle FundBC Mountain Pine Beetle Fund

•BC Ministry of EnvironmentBC Ministry of Environment