Lake Clearwater Spawning Enhancement.

Hamish Stevens, Fish and Game Officer.

Whiskey Creek is the only source of brown trout spawning for Lake Clearwater other than the lake edge itself. Whiskey Creek is located in the Ashburton lakes area, on the Hakatere Potts Road, about 2 km past the Lake Clearwater hut settlement. Looking at the stream one would be forgiven for thinking that no trout could possibly spawn here but as annual spawning counts show it is heavily used by brown trout from the lake. Between 15 and 30 trout redds are counted in the stream, most years. However due to the lack of good shingle for spawning, redds tend to be constructed in areas with larger cobbles. During heavy rain Whiskey Creek floods and can do so with great force which tends to wash out smaller gravels leaving the less mobile, larger cobbles present. Due to this lack of suitable spawning gravels it was decided that enhancement was needed.

In the past Fish and Game staff and dedicated volunteers have wheel barrowed shingle down the stream placing it in suitable spawning areas devoid of spawning habitat. Floods would often undo this work meaning continual re-gravelling was required. This year structures are being trialed to see if it is possible to retain the shingle and provide some more permanent areas where the trout can spawn. The structures are very basic with two boards angling downstream secured to the stream bed. Shingle is then placed on the upstream side creating a new spawning area. It is hoped that the trout will find these areas to their liking and hopefully increase the spawning success of this small stream. Fish and Game appreciates the time and effort volunteers have given to this project.

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