Invasive bass caught

Photo: Contributed

Smallmouth bass

Biologists with the provincial government are keeping a close eye on the Kettle River, after multiple reports of invasive bass being caught since the fishery reopened at the end of August.

Senior Fisheries Biologist Tara White says they have confirmed the presence of largemouth bass in the Kettle River, downstream from Grand Forks, and are looking into additional unconfirmed reports of smallmouth bass.

“They are considered an invasive species within the Province of B.C.,” White said, adding bass prey on other fish, insects and amphibians and have the ability to take over an ecosystem. In the Kettle, Rainbow Trout would be most at risk.

Scientists are considerably more concerned about the smallmouth variety, because largemouth bass don’t overwinter well in river environments and fast moving water.

However, smallmouth bass “thrive” in rivers and streams like the Kettle, particularly because of its gravel bottom and warm summer temperatures that can hit 25 C.

Because of that, scientists are looking closely into the reports of smallmouth bass and trying to pin down how far up the river they may have reached.

The largemouth bass confirmed in the Kettle will most likely die off this winter, but White said they will be monitoring the situation closely come spring.

“Bass are present in the lower Kettle River, on the U.S. side of the border downstream of Cascade Falls,” White said, speculating birds or humans could have transported the bass up the river.

Introduction of an invasive species or fish is illegal, White said, and carries a hefty potential fine.

Before this season, White said there was an unverified report of bass in the Kettle back in 2009.

Anyone who catches a bass on the Kettle River is being asked to document where they made the catch and contact the the Fish and Wildlife Branch at 250.490.2287 or at [email protected].