Silly question about Chestermere "Lake" and the Bow River

[KoldFusion]

I was wondering why there is no trout in Chestermere Lake since Chestermere Lake is fed by the WHD from the Bow River.

Is it because of species blocking devices at the radial gates where the water gets diverted from the bow?

Is it because Chestermere Lake does not offer the right habitat for trout

Or... as I suspect. Trout make for great Pike food?

Also. When do the radial gates lower to feed Chestermere? Right about now correct?

[Jayhad]

Originally Posted by KoldFusion

I was wondering why there is no trout in Chestermere Lake since Chestermere Lake is fed by the WHD from the Bow River.

Is it because of species blocking devices at the radial gates where the water gets diverted from the bow?

No many fish get sucked through. Trout Unlimited does a rescue every year, 5,326 fish were rescued this year

Originally Posted by KoldFusion

Is it because Chestermere Lake does not offer the right habitat for trout

Or... as I suspect. Trout make for great Pike food?

Don't know, maybe it is to far of a migration

Originally Posted by KoldFusion

Also. When do the radial gates lower to feed Chestermere? Right about now correct?

Should be once the resivours on the Bow get the adequate amount of water for the year's supply, so a little longer, right around runoff

A better question would be why we pull 1/3 of the Bow's flow for people to have lake front property

[KoldFusion]

Originally Posted by Jayhad

A better question would be why we pull 1/3 of the Bow's flow for people to have lake front property

I think it still serves as irrigation for farmers.

I would hardly call Chestermere "Lake Front Property". That body of water makes me cringe at the thought of even putting my boat in it, never mind swimming in it.

But pike are easy to catch and make me feel better about myself when it has been a slow week on The Bow.

[Jimboy]

Originally Posted by Jayhad

No many fish get sucked through. Trout Unlimited does a rescue every year, 5,326 fish were rescued this year


Don't know, maybe it is to far of a migration


Should be once the resivours on the Bow get the adequate amount of water for the year's supply, so a little longer, right around runoff

A better question would be why we pull 1/3 of the Bow's flow for people to have lake front property

Its not for them , they moved in after the fact , Chestermere still is and always has been a resevour for the irrigation system that was built to irrigate farmers fields and to water livestock.

The cabins around the lake just happened , but they come second.

[lannie]

I thought the W.I.D. owns Chestermere lake. More accurate would be Chestermere reservoir. People built houses around a reservoir then they get upset when the W.I.D. needs the water and the lake is lowered. Maybe someone has better info on this. The above is here say for me.

[KoldFusion]

I do know it was first created by the CPR for irrigation to entice people to come live here in Alberta to farm.

Lots of info on Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chestermere

[Jayhad]

Originally Posted by Jimboy

Its not for them , they moved in after the fact , Chestermere still is and always has been a resevour for the irrigation system that was built to irrigate farmers fields and to water livestock.

The cabins around the lake just happened , but they come second.

You are correct Jimboy, I know it was originally for irragation but I was under the understanding that water from WID no longer gets to farm land as the land has been eaten up by residential usages..... some of you rural guys will know better than me

[kujo]

Originally Posted by KoldFusion

I was wondering why there is no trout in Chestermere Lake since Chestermere Lake is fed by the WHD from the Bow River.

Or... as I suspect. Trout make for great Pike food?

There are some trout in there but they will be picked off quick as soon as the Pike find them

[ReconWilly]

No trout in Chester-Slough? news to me, i've seen the odd large rainbow in the canals before dark but can never trigger a bite(raps,spoons,spinners and even bait), however i've never taken a fly rod to the Slough, a guy i worked with landed a 12 and a14 inch rainbow on the same trip(far north west end boat launch side) I can't stomach the garbage at Chester-Slough and refuse to dirty my gear there anymore.

[goldscud]

Kujo, that picture is of a minnow species, not a trout

[kujo]

Originally Posted by goldscud

Kujo, that picture is of a minnow species, not a trout

Oh my bad I guess looked like a rainbow fry to me but after Googling it I see I'm mistaken

[KoldFusion]

When fishing at Chestermere I find the worst offenders for garbage are the "Fair weather fishermen" and the odd family with their CDN Tire combo packs.

I bring a small bag for my own garbage and usually fill it up with what ever I can before packing out.

I would like to see Public Service Announcements during the spring and summer promoting Canada's fisheries, giving web links to resources, but also having some basic tips for the newbies talking about trash and invasive species.

[jacenbeers]

How is the fishing in the canal in the city near the gates at the WHD?

[KoldFusion]

Originally Posted by jacenbeers

How is the fishing in the canal in the city near the gates at the WHD?

Never tried in there.