Invasive goldfish discovered

Photo: stock photo

A popular fishing spot near Penticton is being threatened by invasive goldfish.

The provincial government is investigating a proliferation of goldfish in Yellow Lake — about a 25 minute drive from Penticton along Highway 3A.

Ministry of Environment invasive species co-ordinator Martina Beck says invasive goldfish are relatively new in B.C., so they are working on a risk assessment to determine exactly what type of havoc they could cause here.

“What we know, is about what their impacts might be in other jurisdictions,” she said, noting they have been known to survive through winter and compete with native species in Alberta.

She said similar detections have been make in Dragon Lake near Quesnel and in the Whistler area.

She said the goldfish are most commonly linked to unwanted pets from ponds and aquariums being released, “so that’s where we are really trying to push the ‘don’t let it loose’ messaging.”

Beck said it's possible that ministry crews will be visiting Yellow Lake to do some local sampling while they develop a plan to deal with the goldfish across B.C.

Yellow Lake is stocked annually by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., and often hosts “learn to fish” events held by the society.