Angling is one PEI's most important recreational activities and can be enjoyed by people of any age
. . . A long standing tradition in the Souris area!
| Introduction The Souris Area has several fish species that have require different habitat types and diets ~ When doing stream enhancement, the Souris Wildlife Group has to consider these differences. | Listen as Garry Gregory, Assistant Coordinator of the Souris branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation speaks to the Grade VIII students at Rollo Bay Consolidated School. |
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Brook trout are the most common freshwater fish on PEI.
- Are found in almost every stream, brook, and creek on the Island
- Most important recreational fishing species
- Brook trout in a stream are usually no larger than 12 inches and 3-4 pounds
- They can get much larger ~ Record size: 86 cm long and 14 pounds |  White edges on fins.
Red circles surrounded by blue halos. |  |  |  | Brook Trout...Migration Some individuals in a population will migrate downstream to coastal bays
Known as sea-run trout
Scientists are unsure of reasons why when the fish return, they are bigger and stronger than those that remain in the stream | Brook Trout...Diet Extremely varied diet depending on size Fish eggs (even their own) Insects Frogs Mice Sea-run trout have access to many smaller fish species to feed on |  
| Brook Trout...Spawning Brook trout usually mature at age 2
Spawning occurs in the fall of the year (October to December)
Trout seek springs with upwelling water to oxygenate the eggs
Females dig nests in the gravel known as redds
Lay up to 2500 eggs depending on size and health
Young fish hatch about 100 days later 
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| Brook Trout...Habitat Require cool waters, grow best between 15 – 18 degrees
Impoundments (man-made dams, beaver dams) can make water too warm for brook trout
Need gravel stream bed for spawning
Sensitive to run-off
Prefer slower moving, deeper water in addition to riffles | Videos of Brook Trout Swimming & Spawnng| Nov. 21, 2007 Nov. 21, 2007 Nov. 21, 2007 Nov. 21, 2007 Nov. 21, 2007 | Nov. 21, 2007 Nov. 21, 2007 Nov. 21, 2007 Nov. 21, 2007 Nov. 21, 2007 | |
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| Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) Not native to PEI
- Introduced to Atlantic Canada over a hundred years ago
- Found primarily in South Side rivers, including the Souris River
- Sought after sport fish because of their size and strength
Rainbow trout as big as 22 pounds have been caught on PEI
- Rainbows grow larger on the Pacific Coast
- World record weight: 43.6 pounds |  Black Spots
Flattened Pectoral Fins
Red band running length of body |
 |  |  | Rainbow Trout...Migration Like Brook Trout, Rainbows will travel to the sea where they grow at a much faster rate
Known as steelheads
These individuals lose their characteristic red stripe
At sea, rainbows generally stay in the vicinity of their natal stream | Rainbow Trout...Diet Insects form the basis of the diet
Also eat shrimp and other crustaceans
As the fish grows, its diet switches to mainly other fish
A rainbow will eat a fish up to 1/3 of its own length |  | Rainbow Trout...Spawning Return to their original hatching grounds to spawn
Steelheads are anadromous
Unlike brook trout, rainbows spawn in the spring when water temperatures begin to increase
Greatest spawning activity occurs at early evening
Young hatch 30 to 100 days after laying |  |
Rainbow Trout... Habitat- Rainbows spend more time in shallow, riffle areas, Especially juveniles
- Rainbows are able to tolerate higher water temperatures than brook trout
- Able to outcompete brook trout in certain ponds and lakes.
| Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Numbers have declined significantly in recent years
- Only a few rivers on PEI still support Atlantic Salmon populations
- Known worldwide as a premier fighting fish | 
Pronounced
Bright Silver |
Salmon as big as 23 pounds have been caught on PEI | 
World record Atlantic Salmon caught on a rod: 79 pounds |  | Atlantic Salmon...Migration Unlike trout, all Atlantic Salmon migrate to the sea
Do not stay close to shore
Travel all the way to Greenland, where they grow rapidly | Atlantic Salmon...Diet Because Atlantic Salmon travel to deeper waters, they can feed on larger ocean fish |  | Atlantic Salmon...Spawning Adult salmon return to the river where they hatched to spawn
Combination of smell and physical cues
Males develop a distinct hook in breeding season called a Kype
Adult salmon (grilse or multi-winter) in the fall will travel as far as possible upstream
- Adult salmon (grilse or multi-winter) in the fall will travel as far as possible upstream
- Beaver dams will prevent spawning migrations from being successful
- Possible reason for the decline of many salmon runs
Females dig huge redds with their powerful tails to deposit their eggs
1500 eggs per kilogram of weight
Eggs hatch about 110 days later |  | Atlantic Salmon...Habitat Juvenile salmon prefer riffle areas
Compete for space with Rainbow Trout
Adult salmon will utilize pools
Compete for space with Brook Trout
Need clean gravel or cobble for spawning grounds The Importance of Cover - Regardless of species, all fish need cover to survive
- Cover hides fish from predators and shades the streams, preventing them from becoming too warm
- This Shell Environmental Fund project will create cover structures in different areas of the river
- The goal is to aid fish survival in the Souris River to ensure that strong populations continue to exist. | |
Copyright
Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife FederationAll pictures appearing on this site or its associated flickr account are the property of the photographers and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.
They may not be copied without permission of the photographer and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.
