The West Arm Outdoors Club and the B.C. Wildlife Federation announced the opening of Year 2 of the Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program (KLAIP) on June 1 with the addition of a new youth program and prizes on top of the monthly draws and grand prize draw.

Gordie Grunerud, President of the West Arm Outdoors Club, the club managing the program said: “The Kootenay Lake Incentive Program has been extended for a second year because of the success of the program in helping Kokanee salmon recover. The program encourages resident anglers to get outdoors and to participate in a fisheries conservation program aimed at re-establishing the predator-prey balance in the main body of Kootenay Lake by reducing the predators – rainbow and bull trout. Together with the Kokanee closure, it is hoped the prey species will recover to historic levels while supporting anglers, outdoor sports, and local business.

“We are also excited to include a separate category this year for kids. The youth program will run for the summer and include anglers aged 15 and younger with numerous age-appropriate prizes to promote junior fishers,” explained Gordie.

The program inspires anglers of all ages to get out fishing and enjoy the outdoors. Anglers are encouraged to harvest rainbow and bull trout in the main body of Kootenay Lake and then turn in the heads to local depots to enter a monthly draw for a prize worth $1,000. Each head returned also gives you a chance to win one of three grand prizes.

The grand prizes for this year’s program include a Marlon boat package Jones Boys Boats, a Polaris Sportsman Quad from Main Jet Motorsports, and a 3-night saltwater fishing package for two at Coastal Springs Float Lodge. The prize and timing details for the youth program will be announced in the coming weeks.

The first year of the program resulted in important economic benefits for local businesses, and more people have been inspired to participate in a favourite outdoor pastime in B.C.

Terry Jones, owner of Woodbury Resort & Marina, a business supporting anglers on the lake since 1977 said, “The Kootenay Lake Anglers Incentive Program has been a tremendous success and definitely created a lot of new interest in fishing. I’ve seen a lot of business leave the lake in the last few years, but this program has given people the incentive to fish again.”

The Year 1 grand prize will be announced on June 9. The winner will receive an 18’ Kingfisher boat with a 115 hp Yamaha engine from Jones Boys Boats & Marina.

The Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program is managed by the local West Arm Outdoors Club with support from B.C. Wildlife Federation, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNORD), Jones Boys Boats of Woodbury Creek and several local merchants from around Kootenay Lake.

More information on the Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program.

Lead image: Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism – Lardeau. Janneke Guenther photo

 B.C. Wildlife Federation

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