Invasive fish introduced at Cultus Lake pose serious threat to salmon, say B.C. conservation officers

Invasive fish introduced into Cultus Lake in Chilliwack are posing a serious threat to the ecosystem, including the endangered sockeye salmon, say  conservation officers.

Now the B.C. Conservation Officer Service is asking for the public’s help to figure out how smallmouth bass — a popular sport fish — got into the lake, which officers believe may have been on several occasions dating back to 2017.

Smallmouth bass are not native to Cultus Lake and are a threat to its ecosystem and species-at-risk, such as Cultus Lake sockeye salmon, which is endangered and the threatened Pygmy sculpin, the service said on social media.

Officers say their presence is also causing ecological impacts because they are preying on juvenile salmon and other native species.

“Transporting or releasing invasive species is illegal and can have detrimental impacts on the environment, fish and wildlife,” said Sgt. Todd Hunter, a spokesperson for the service’s Aquatic Invasive Species unit, in a statement.

“We’re hoping someone has information that can help advance our investigation — even small details can make a big difference.”

Anyone with information about past or present illegal fish releases can report it to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

The smallmouth bass is a freshwater fish and a member of the sunfish family. They are a top predator that eat a wide range of prey, including insects, frogs and fish, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The fish, which can be invasive when introduced to new lakes and rivers, are only native in Canada to Lake Superior and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system.

ticrawford@postmedia.com

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