1. Discuss how all three species of Alberta’s stream-dwelling native trout (Athabasca rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat trout, and bull trout) are threatened species. One of the challenges faced in the past has been overfishing. Currently, anglers in Alberta are not allowed to harvest (keep)  Athabasca rainbow trout or bull trout, they are catch and release only. Westslope cutthroat trout cannot be kept when they are in critical habitat (refer to the fishing regulations for site specific possession limits). Anglers must follow the fishing regulations and should properly handle the fish they catch by keeping them in the water as much as possible. 
   
   
2. In this game, the instructor is the river and the participants are anglers. Have the participants start at one end of the game play area and the instructor at the other end. The instructor has a small object on the ground beside them to represent the trout. The instructor faces away from the participants.

3. When the instructor is tuned away, the anglers can move toward the trout.

4. The anglers’ signal to freeze is when the instructor says: “where’s my trout?” This is when the instructor is going to turn around.

5. When the instructor turns around, all the anglers have to be still. If the instructor sees any angler move, they have to go back to the start.

6. Eventually, an angler will get close enough to pick up the object. At this point all anglers have to put their hands behind their backs and back away toward the start.

7. When the instructor turns around and sees that the trout is gone they have two guesses as to which angler has the trout. If the instructor guesses right, the anglers give the trout back (catch and release) and all the anglers go back to the start. If the instructor gets it wrong, they turn around and the anglers continue on their way back to the start with the trout.

8. When all the anglers have arrived at the start with the trout, they have won (brought fish home for dinner). 

Discussion: 

• Why are there limits by the Government of Alberta on how many of each species of fish we can catch? What would happen to fish populations if we ignored those limits?  

• Why are some fish only catch and release? Why is it important to handle catch and release fish properly?  

 

Extensions: 

• Learn about being anglers and stewards in Alberta from anglers Amber and Brendan in this video: Anglers Amber & Brendan Toner — Stories from the River. 

• Meet Alberta’s native trout with this interactive website: Meet Alberta's Native Trout. 

• Take the fish ID quiz to make sure you can tell apart our native trout: Alberta Fish ID Quiz - Freshwater Conservation Canada - Northern Lights Fly Fishers Chapter. 

• Learn about proper fish handling in this video: Alberta Safe Handling. 

• Discover ways that anglers can support native trout recovery through our interactive tool Stand Up For Alberta's Native Trout. Dive deeper with Stories from the River. 

• Become familiar with how to read the fishing regulations to ensure you are helping to keep fish in our future: Alberta Fishing Regulations.