Editor:
Kager Lake, a body of water some three kilometers north of the village of Burns Lake. One can use any metaphor that you like in discussion of said piece of water. It’s a jewel in our back yard, that has minimal traffic at best. I believe initially, this body of water in the BC Fishing Regulations had a restriction for seniors and underaged children, who weren’t required to have a license. I cannot find any restrictions to that said in the latest Regulations.
Kager, is screaming to be rediscovered. It lends itself to being an all season fishery, ice fishing in winter, and all forms of angling in the remaining three seasons. This is a stocked lake, Go Fish BC has stocked this lake since 1981. Years 1983 and 1984, 5,000 each year were released, so for 43 years, over this time period stocking reports are two to three thousand annually.
Blackwater Rainbow Trout has been the species selected for Kager, all are triploided stock…meaning they are sexless, they do not spawn, just eat and grow, and some have become hogs. I have personally fished this lake a couple of times and had the whole lake to myself. This lake needs to be harvested. The lake is teaming with fish, and I would venture to state there isn’t a balance for amount stocked verses the amount taken each year.
Trout on an average live approximately five years, yes some of the fry will be consumed by the existing stock, and their predators.
Kager, needs help. Accessing the lake to launch a vessel is almost impossible. This body of water doesn’t lend itself to large water crafts, designed more for small vessels, small and electric motors. The boat launch at Kager is narrow, it needs to be wider, so as to have access to beaching one’s vessel.
At waters edge, you find yourself buried over the ankles, below the knees in goo. Launching a boat from a trailer, you would be fortunate enough to retrieve the trailer, and not get stuck at the shoreline. Also, if successful, there is no where to park your vehicle and trailer without blocking bike trails. Kager could become a fishing destination, similar to Quesnel’s Dragon Lake.
Dragon Lake attracts international clientele due to its stocked fishery of trophy fish. Kager could indeed match, with a little help, it could become a destination fishery, bringing some economic fair to Burns Lake.
Tourism could perhaps include the village’s B&B - Magee House, and promote fishing and biking as an attraction along with campsites at the bike park.
Yes, I would classify myself as being a senior, it’s not comfortable launching a boat at Kager, at this time. There are platforms on the lake, and crawling into a kayak, canoe or boat from these areas lends itself to a dunking.
Kager needs some attention, surely something can be developed. An invitation to all anglers, Kager awaits.
Sincerely,
Ed Martens