The Brook Trout and Coaster information gathered here at Brook Trout Heaven, focus on Northwestern Ontario fly fishing and sport fishing in Lake Nipigon, Lake Superior and it's tributaries.
(all Brook Trout posted on this site were released)
As a young boy, I remember playing this game all summer long in the school yard and neighbourhood. I didn't think much about it at the time, other than it was a game. It was exciting to chase down your quarry and "tag" them. There was no deep psychological implications inferring man's return to the predator - prey relationship. After all, we were not that smart. Just dumb, innocent kids playing a game. Well, life goes on and some things never change. I don't know if I'm any smarter, maybe a littler wiser, but the chase continues. Under the auspicious of MNR biologist, Rob Swainson, a select number of avid anglers are continuing the "tagging game", but this time with a purpose in mind.
As we all know, the best decisions are informed decisions. Management of the Nipigon Brook Trout is no exception. It is a well known fact that the historical populations of brook trout have declined over the past 100 years for a variety of reasons. When Rob became the biologist for the Nipigon area, he quickly saw the
plight of the brook trout and made it a passion. Initiatives around hydro water flow, catch/size limits, and managing ecological factors are a direct result of his efforts. One way to gather data about size, catch limits and influencing factors is to tag brook trout in the Nipigon system.
A select number of anglers have been trained and equipped with tagging guns (looks like a glue gun) to implant a small, numbered tag behind the dorsal fin in any brook trout that they catch and can safely return. Upon release, the number is recorded, fish measured for length and girth, with weight if possible without stressing the fish. Additional information such as location, date, and fish health is also recorded. Other anglers subsequently catching a tagged fish are asked to record the tag number and length of the fish for either released or kept fish and forward the information (MNR phone # and address). The MNR compiles this data to assist with Brook Trout management.
Beamer recaptured it June 1st
Guidofisherman with the same fish on June 26th
Tagging of Brook Trout Proves that "Catch & Release" Works!
A Brook Trout with tag number "xxxx" apparently is getting quite a reputation. Beamer tagged it on May27/05 and was 17.125x10" and weighed 2.6lbs. He recaptured it again on June 3/05 it was the same length but had a girth increase of .25" and weighed 2.8lbs.It was recaptured this year on June1/06 with its measurements increased to 20.5"x12" and it weighed 4.4lbs. I recaptured it on June26/06 at 20.75x13.5"
Look what I caught? Is he a "keeper"?
The next time you see him, look for the floy tag behind his right ear.
If you catch a Nipigon Brook Trout with a tag implanted along the side of the dorsal fin, please report the information to the Ministry of Natural Resources biologist. The information is used to better manage the brook trout population.
Catch and Release works, so consider returning all Nipigon Brook Trout. If you catch a fish you want to have mounted, remember it must be over 22". Consider a fiberglass replica so you can release the trophy. Remember to take several photos!
Here are the measurements needed. Remember to take the total length and weight if possible
Helpful Hints:
1: carry a pencil and paper while fishing
2: record the tag number and length of each fish, if it can be successfully returned
3. call or send the information to the biologist
Copy and print the above sign.
Put it in your wallet, fishing vest or boat.
Tag... You're It!
"A fish is too valuable to only be caught once."
Lee Wulff
