Kootenay Lake’s Giants of Gerrard rainbow trout once routinely grew to an astonishing 30 pounds, but a decades-long ecological crisis triggered by hydro developments dating back to the 60s badly disrupted the lake’s Gerrard and Kokanee salmon populations.
Now, an ambitious grassroots project spearheaded by the Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club is fighting to help balance the lake’s delicate ecosystem together with efforts of the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS).
Early results are promising.
Biologists first observed a dramatic drop in spawning Kokanee salmon in 2014. The decline, attributed primarily to increased predation by growing Gerrard and Bull trout populations, triggered a cascade of ecological and economic consequences.
“In its heyday, the Gerrard fishery generated about $6 million annually in direct angler expenditures,” explained Robyn Usher, Project Manager for the Return of the Kokanee Project. “When the Kokanee population collapsed, the Gerrard lost their primary food source and began to grow considerably smaller. They were no longer sought after as trophy fish, which had a measurable, negative impact on tourism and small businesses along the lake.”
In response, the Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club secured provincial funding through the Ministry of Tourism’s Destination Development Fund in 2023, launching a two-year initiative to replenish the depleted Kokanee stocks. The initiative involved the collection of surplus Kokanee salmon eggs in September, incubation of eggs at the Kootenay Trout hatchery, and subsequent releases of fertilized eggs.
Egg releases began in October 2023 at the Meadow Creek Spawning Channel on the North Arm of Kootenay Lake and Summit Creek on the South Arm of the lake. Fertilized eggs were again released in the same reaches in 2024 and expanded to the Goat River on the South Arm of the lake.
What began as a straightforward conservation effort soon evolved into something more comprehensive. “We started out simply with egg incubation and release,” Usher said. “But after a conversation with our funders about incorporating education, the project took on an extra new dimension.”
In 2024, the Club was able to redirect some project funds toward education and habitat data collection. “A stone was dropped into a little pond, and the ripple has expanded from planting eggs into creeks to an education program within the school district,” said Usher.
The project’s educational component now includes aquariums in local schools where students can observe Kokanee salmon development firsthand, supported by three specialized educational modules. According to Usher, the program has received “highly favorable reviews from teachers and students” and as of 2025, has expanded, now reaching six classrooms across four elementary schools as well as Creston’s high school. The classes are excitedly waiting for their eggs to hatch into alevins and then fry. Fry will be released into Summit Creek and the Goat River in the spring of 2026.
The club is working with the Lower Kootenay Band, whose members have provided insight into the lake’s ecosystem. Their historical connection to the Kokanee is reflected in interpretive signage at the Balfour and Kootenay Bay ferry terminals. The signs, featuring artwork by Carol Louie, describe the historical significance of Kokanee salmon to the Lower Kootenay Band, who call Kokanee the “Leader of the Water.”
In 2025, the Rod & Gun Club also raised sufficient funds to complete additional habitat monitoring and spawning counts on Summit Creek. “We now have more knowledge on Summit Creek than we’ve ever had,” said Usher.
“A habitat monitoring program was conducted on Summit Creek to quantify Kokanee spawning habitat and help determine the best locations for egg releases in 2026. We’re also hoping to use our quantitative data to start moving forward on restoration on some of the old, dry channels on the creek,” Usher said.
The project represents a significant evolution in the mission of the Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club.
The Club is working to create meaningful partnerships and to embrace a broader conservation and education mission. They are actively recruiting community volunteers for different aspects of the project, including Kokanee spawner counts.
Not only does this give the community a chance to get involved, but it trains and empowers environmental stewards for the future, fosters collaboration between community groups, and generates a deeper understanding of watershed health.
Building upon the successes of the last 3 years, the Return of the Kokanee Salmon Project aims to continue its work through 2026 and beyond, transforming what began as a simple conservation effort into a community-wide movement combining environmental restoration, education, and cross-cultural collaboration.
For more information about the Return of the Kokanee Salmon Project or to volunteer, contact Robyn Usher at pm.kokanee@crestonvalleyrodandgunclub.com or 587-215-1212.
This story, by Alana Higginson (Wetlands Education Manager), first appeared in the SEP/OCT 2025 issue of BC Outdoors Magazine in our member exclusive insert. Become a BCWF member today to get our news delivered directly to your mail box at bcwf.bc.ca/membership.
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