NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

April 15 2009

Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC

Freshwater Fisheries Society Get Rice Lake Fishing Season Underway

VANCOUVER – Lower Mainland residents will be able to enjoy outstanding fishing at Rice Lake this spring and summer thanks to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s Fishing in the City program. “We’re building on the success of last year’s program and making sure that we provide great fishing close to urban centres and transit routes” said Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery Manager Dale Larson.

In 2008 the society released more than 10,000 “catchable” rainbow trout into Rice Lake, ranging in size from 250 to 500 grams. This stocking program produced more than 6,400 angler visits last year, primarily by local anglers. This spring the society will be releasing more than 8,000 trout into Rice Lake in series of bi-weekly stockings over the spring and early summer. The society will release another 3,000 trout in the early fall.

In addition, the society has hired two Sport Fishing Ambassadors who will be regularly visiting Rice Lake. These keen young anglers will visit the lake and provide less experienced anglers with free fishing tips and information designed to help them make the most of their urban fishing adventure.

Children under the age of 16 can fish for free, and Rice Lake is well suited to angling with inexpensive fishing gear. Adults can purchase a freshwater licence at their local tackle shop or buy one online at http://www.fishing.gov.bc.ca/.

For fishing tips and tricks and lake stocking information in the Lower Mainland please contact the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery Visitor’s Centre at 604-504-4716 or visit us online at www.gofishbc.com.

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For more information contact:

Brett van Poorten

Sport Fishing Development Biologist

Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C.

(604) 816-1532

or

Dale Larson

Hatchery Manager

Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C.

(604) 504-4709