Upper Bulkley River and Toboggan Creek Overwintering Studies

An overwintering study was conducted over three winters (November 1998 to March 2001) in the Upper Bulkley and Toboggan Creek watersheds in north-central British Columbia. The study area includes the lower portion of the Upper Bulkley watershed upstream of the confluence of the Morice and Bulkley rivers near Houston, B.C. to Richfield Creek, and the portion of Toboggan Creek from the Toboggan Creek hatchery to Toboggan Lake. This study focused on establishing indicators of overwintering habitat quality, particularly cover, and determining physical and biological factors which may influence overwintering habitat quality in the Upper Bulkley and Toboggan Creek watersheds by sampling a variety of habitat types. Fish densities (CPUE), fork length, and condition factor data were collected when possible, allowing for comparisons of fish densities, size and condition over time and between sites.