Simpcw Fisheries
Dunn Creek Hatchery
Simpcw manages and operates a Fish Hatchery adjacent to Dunn Creek, where they raise salmon to support local waterways. The hatchery was established in 1983, when Coho were raised in the base of the chlorination shack of the band. However, it was soon discovered that moving the smolts out of their temporary “home” for release was difficult, and a more permanent solution was needed. This led to the construction of the Dunn Lake Hatchery at the South end of Dunn Lake in 1984; initially lake pens were built, but these too were unsatisfactory due to warm water temperatures which led to many mortalities among the Coho juvenile stocks. The lake pens were moved to the north end of Dunn Lake, but not enough cool water could be pumped from near bottom of the lake up to the lake pens.
In 1992, an agreement was signed with Land & Water BC, which allowed Simpcw tenure on the banks of Dunn Creek. This new site allowed for the hatchery to be gravity water fed, lowering the water temperature and decreasing fish mortality rates.
Currently, we produce 30,000 Coho salmon from Dunn Creek each year, and in 2015 we began to produce an additional 30,000 Coho from the Deadman River on behalf of Skeetchestn Hatchery. Yearly target to raise 20,000 to smolts, 1.5 yr old smolts and 10,000 to unfed fry.
The hatchery program is overseen by a partnership comprised of Simpcw’s Natural Resource Department and a Community Advisor for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The main focus of the hatchery and Simpcw’s fisheries program is the conservation, protection and management of fish populations within Simpcwúl̓ecw. In past years, the Simpcw Fisheries Program has been involved in the following projects and tasks:
- Chinook salmon enumeration programs on Raft River, and Finn, Louis and Lemieux Creeks
- Catch monitoring throughout Simpcwúl̓ecw
- Stewardship program for the Upper Fraser River and the North Thompson River watersheds
- A selective harvest fence on the Barriere River
- Summer Youth programs
- Habitat restoration projects on a variety of streams throughout Simpcwúl̓ecw
- Providing educational curriculum for Neqweyqwelsten School and other local elementary and high schools
- Working with licensees and industries within Simpcwúl̓ecw to preserve fish habitat
- Promoting our NRD 6 Directives amongst all Simpcw proponents
The hatchery program is overseen by a partnership comprised of Simpcw’s Natural Resource Department and a Community Advisor for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The main focus of the hatchery and Simpcw’s fisheries program is the conservation, protection and management of fish populations within Simpcwúl̓ecw.
In past years, the Simpcw Fisheries Program has been involved in the following projects and tasks:
- Chinook salmon enumeration programs on Raft River, and Finn, Louis and Lemieux Creeks
- Catch monitoring throughout Simpcwúl̓ecw
- Stewardship program for the Upper Fraser River and the North Thompson River watersheds
- A selective harvest fence on the Barriere River
- Summer Youth programs
- Habitat restoration projects on a variety of streams throughout Simpcwúl̓ecw
- Providing educational curriculum for Neqweyqwelsten School and other local elementary and high schools
- Working with licensees and industries within Simpcwúl̓ecw to preserve fish habitat
- Promoting our NRD 6 Directives amongst all Simpcw proponents
Tina Donald
Selective Fishing Program
Dunn Lake (Photo: Tiff Bowser)
This program focuses on the conservation and management of fish stocks within Simpcwúl̓ecw. Starting in 1993, Simpcw received funding through the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy in order to conduct catch monitoring. This allows Simpcw to not only pay attention to fish stocks in our local waterways, but also informs Simpcw members where fish is in abundance. Today, Simpcw works with downstream Secwepemc Bands sharing their fish resource. Several local rivers and tributaries had proven to be popular for selective fishing techniques, we will look at harvesting a minimal amount of salmon to keep cultural fisheries going:
- Raft River
- North Thompson River
- Clearwater River
- Holmes River
- Upper Fraser River
- Barriere River
- Louis Creek
- Finn Creek
Project Outcomes
North Thompson River (Photo: Tina Donald)
The Project will contribute to the following Salmonid Enhancement Program outcomes:
- 30,000 Dunn Creek Coho salmon and 20,000 Deadman River Coho Salmon raised and released to support stock rebuilding
- Up to 5,000 Dunn Creek Coho salmon raised and released to support salmon stewardship in classrooms
- Promotion of community stewardship through education and awareness
- Conduct stock assessment programs including Dunn Creek adult Coho counting fence and juvenile salmon population density inventories. Adult Chinook spawner enumeration walks are conducted as part of the AFS Agreement with the Secwepemc Fisheries Commission.
Special Events
Coho Day
This mid- to late-October event welcomes visitors from local schools, Barriere and Clearwater, and has been one of the longest-running traditions within the Simpcw community. 2023 marked the 27th anniversary of this celebration, where the Hatchery hosts a “home cooked” lunch and showcases the Hatchery with various activities and exhibitions.
Raft River First Fish Ceremony
In 2023, Simpcw hosted the 16th annual First Fish Ceremony, which is held at the Raft River Viewing Platform in Clearwater. On this day, Simpcw invites guests to participate in several activities that highlight Simpcw’s culture and history, including pit cooking, sockeye salmon viewing, storytelling and a traditional game called Lehal.
Raft River Interpretive School Program
This program, aimed at school children throughout Simpcwúl̓ecw, celebrated its 11th year of operation at the Raft River Viewing Platform and the nearby (former) DFO Compound in Clearwater. In 2012, 654 students participated in the program, coming from the local communities of Heffley Creek, Barriere, Chu Chua, Raft River, Vavenby and Blue River. This 3-day program includes four stations which relay information about Simpcw Culture & Fisheries, BC Wildlife Federation Wetlands, Invasive Fish Species and a Fish Print. Simpcw First Nation works in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), the District of Clearwater and the North Thompson Community Resource Centre to offer this program to local youth.
Documents
Document 1
Document 2
Document 3
Document 4
Document 5
For more information please contact:
Tina Donald - Fisheries Manager
Fisheries.Manager@Simpcw.com
P: 250.672.9995 Ext: 262