Go Fish BC

114,000 steelhead smolts were released into the Chilliwack/ Vedder River earlier this month. These smolts are the offspring of wild steelhead collected by volunteer anglers last winter. The smolts are raised at the Chilliwack River Hatchery (Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada), and in early-May each year staff from our Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery assist with their release. The adults will return to spawn (between December and April) after two - five years at sea. When fishing for this species, hatchery fish can be identified by their clipped adipose fin. All wild steelhead must be released.

Image: Dean Worrall

Have you ever wondered why some small lakes are stocked, and others remain wild? Biologists look at many factors when deciding to stock a lake, such as:
🔵productivity (food availability) and size of the lake;
🔵presence of other fish species;
🔵access to spawning habitats, as well as inlets and outlets;
🔵access options for anglers,
🔵conservation concerns with species at risk; among other considerations.
On the blog, we dive into the decisions around stocking small lakes in B.C., and the assessments required to ensure that they provide sustainable quality angling: https://www.gofishbc.com/news/education/small-lake-fisheries-in-b-c-where-and-why-fish-are-stocked/

Image: Craig Adamson

Scholarship applications close at the end of this month! 🐟
Are you pursuing a career in fish culture or fisheries management? We want to help you reach your goals!

We are officially accepting applications for our 2026 scholarships from students returning to a recognized post-secondary program right here in British Columbia.

The Details:
Value: Up to $2,500 per scholarship.

Eligibility: Students returning to a fish culture, natural resource management, or fisheries management program in BC. For full eligibility details, visit the link below.

Deadline: May 31, 2026.

How to Apply:
Find full details on the application process and requirements on our website:
🔗 https://www.gofishbc.com/about-us/scholarships/

Know a future fisheries professional? Please tag them in the comments or share this post to help us spread the word across the province.