Invasive species calls Olds home

Winter Lake has become home to an invasive species – goldfish.

It's not clear how many of them have populated the water body but the town believes the fish have been dumped by people who no longer want them as pets.

Town council briefly discussed the issue at its April 11 meeting.

Overflow from Winter Lake winds up in the Olds Creek, which connects to the Red Deer River. The province is concerned with goldfish winding up in major waterways, said chief administrative officer Norm McInnis.

"They're prolific and have an impact on other species and food supply and various things. The province is saying they have some concerns about goldfish getting into rivers and streams," he said.

According to Alberta Environment's website, koi and goldfish can survive this province's climate and grow sizably.

"They have no natural predators in Alberta and will out-compete native species for resources," reads a post on invasive fish.

Releasing live fish into Alberta's lakes or rivers carries a fine of up to $100,000.

Chief operating officer Scott Chant told council that the removal process for Winter Lake would involve sending an electric current through the water before scooping the fish out.

Coun. Rudy Durieux mentioned he'd read that method doesn't always work, that the goldfish are "shockproof."

McInnis has heard similar things.

"My understanding is, that's been met with limited success. We haven't done any research that I'm aware of, what the solutions would be to deal with fish in Winter Lake would be. Maybe a fishing derby, I don't know," he said, laughing.

"One of the things may be to find a predator that actually takes care of the goldfish and we deal with the predator afterwards. Don't know. We've got to do some research."

The issue of invasive goldfish has come up before but no solutions have been sought, McInnis said.

He said the town would be willing to participate in a provincial strategy if it comes to that.

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