Shore-spawning Kokanee Research and Restoration Project

The Shore-spawning Kokanee Research and Restoration Project, led by the Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society, focuses on collecting data and restoring habitat for declining shore-spawning Kokanee in the West Arm of Kootenay Lake. Gravel installed at a lower elevation than the current rearing habitat will encourage Kokanee to spawn at elevations unaffected by fluctuations in the hydrograph. It is expected that Kokanee will show a preference for restored habitat, reducing the risk of redds being de-watered in the spring.

Update: Improving kokanee habitat

More than 620 shore-spawning kokanee have used a recently restored section of shoreline on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake. The spawning habitat at McDonald’s Landing, north of Nelson, was enhanced with 80 m³ of gravel spread over 500 m². The gravel was placed at a low elevation to help reduce the risk of redds being de-watered in the spring.

During this restoration project, three new shore-spawning sites were found close to McDonald’s Landing. Kokanee are a focal species in our Columbia Region Reservoirs & Large Lakes Action Plan, in which conserving, restoring, and enhancing spawning habitat to support productivity is a priority action. This project was led by the Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society with funding from the FWCP.