All angling has been closed on the Horsefly River from Quesnel Lake to the Woodjam Bridge to protect rainbow trout from risks associated to rising water temperatures.
The closure is effective immediately until further notice, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development noted in a press release issued Wednesday, Aug. 15.
“When water temperatures rise above 18 C, the mortality of catch-and-release rainbow trout increases,” the ministry stated. “Water temperatures downstream of Woodjam Bridge currently vary from approximately 19 C to 23 C.”
River temperatures will be monitored closely by ministry officials and when they return to acceptable levels it will be re-opened.
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In 2015, 2010, 2009 and 2006, angling was also closed on the Horsefly River, due to warming water temperatures.
The Horsefly River system is approximately 98 kilometres in length.
Rainbow trout spawn and rear in the river until migrating to Quesnel Lake and adults migrate into the river in mid to late summer to forage on invertebrates and drifting salmon spawn.
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