Cowichan Lake Salmonid Enhancement & Hatchery Society

The last of our Coho brood stock, now we wait till the eggs hatch!

15,000 Coho eggs into the incubators today. Thank you team! (Left to right; Kevin, Dave, Brittany, Sandy)

Despite this year of uncertainty, Cowichan Lake Salmonid Enhancement Society had an incredible year of fry salvaging and broodstock. We are at our Coho quote capacity, as well brought in a good number of Chum. We have followed all the safety protocols. Not accepting new volunteers, limiting our number of volunteers at given projects, and of course disinfecting our equipment after each use as directed by DFO and WHO. It has been challenging but we continue to get it done. Th...is would not be possible without the continued support from our vital volunteers sacrificing their time, our commited community, and our amazing donors. Without you we would not exist. Sending our deepest gratitude to everyone that has ever volunteered their time, effort, and resources to this amazing cause. The DFO are estimating the returning Chinook at over 20,000 fish. Coming into 2020, there was an estimated 20,000 returning Chinook with 22,390 arriving this year. The average will continue to increase. Entering the four year average return of 20,000 Chinook has fully doubled the 12 year average which was 10,090 fish. Only 500 returning Chinook just 10 years ago. What an astonishing and possibly sustainable recovery of Chinook returns to the Cowichan River. Attachments below contain the Fisheries and Oceans South Coast Salmon Bulletin. Including escapement updates for area 18 - Cowichan River. Along with Lake level graphs.

Great picture! Watching the salmon swim hard up these rapids was absolutely !

Netting chum has been a success, even on the rainy days. High flows were a challenge this year. Thank you for everyone in the society bubble that worked hard to get the job done!