Prince Edward Island does not have many of the freshwater species of fish as you would find away.

A list of Freshwater fish on PEI. Most of these species spend time in both fresh and salt water.

Brook Trout
Striped Bass
Rainbow Trout
Atlantic Salmon
alewife
blue-back herring
smelts

The Orwell River, a small second order stream, runs through the Macphail Woods. The river is part of the Orwell Bay watershed complex, located primarily in southeastern Queen's county and into King's county. The complex is comprised of four major sub-basins; Seal River, Vernon River, Orwell River, and the Newton River. Overall, the Orwell complex drains 200 km2's of land area through 120 km's of streams and rivers which drain into Orwell bay followed by hillsborough bay and finally into the Northumberland Strait on the south side of the island.

Topographical Map of Orwell River and area.

Topographical Map of Orwell River and area - Larger Version.
Map of Orwell Watershed.
Map of PEI Watersheds

I knew rainbow trout could be found in some waterways around the Island, but I didn't realize that they are spreading. I am not sure if this is a bad thing, but if rainbow trout do out-compete Atlantic salmon, that would not be good.

Rainbow trout are not from here, but they sure like it on P.E.I. which might be a problem for Island fish, says a student looking for answers.

Scott Roloson is a masters candidate at the University of Prince Edward Island. His study into rainbow trout is co-funded by the Atlantic Salmon Federation.

“Prince Edward Island in recent decades has had rainbow trout, which is non-native to P.E.I., establish in over 20 rivers,” said Roloson.

“My study is an investigation into why the rainbow trout has succeeded on Prince Edward Island and not done so anywhere else in the Atlantic provinces.”

Rainbow trout, native to the West Coast, grow much bigger than brook trout and most of them live a dual lifestyle. For part of their life they may take to the ocean during which time they are known as steelhead salmon. When they live in fresh water, they take on the name of rainbow trout.

Rainbow trout pushing way into P.E.I. streams
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2011-04-17/article-2433602/Rainb...

The 2011 trout fishing season has been. There are a number of creel limitations and some angling spots have been closed to let fish recover after fish kills. Make sure to refer to the 2011 Angling Summary at:

http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/FWanglesum2011.pdf

The 2011 recreational fishing season began Friday on P.E.I.

The number of anglers has been declining in recent years.

The province is asking for suggestions on how to attract more people to the sport.

Recreational fishing season begins
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2011/04/15/pei-...

Owen Jackson has fished trout every year for much of his life, but the 18-year old says he hasn?t caught a fish as big as the one he reeled in on the opening day of the 2011 season last Friday. The Montague resident caught this 24-inch long, six-pound 10 ounce trout off Knox?s Dam.

Montague youth reels in impressive trout on opening day
http://peicanada.com/eastern_graphic/publication/montague_youth_reels_im...

Welcome to our ponds and streams section of the Macphail Woods. The Orwell River runs through the the Macphail property and there used to be a number of mill ponds on the river. One was operated by Sir Andrew Macphail himself.

Prince Edward Island is full, literally chalk full, of streams and ponds. We are lucky to have many groundwater sources which fed pretty much all of our waterways. This keeps our water fresh and cool. This allows PEI to have some of the best brook trout fishing in North America as well as world famous mussels from our bays and estuaries.

Section of an Island stream.

That being said, we got some big problems.

Orwell River Fishkill

During July in 1999, dead fish were discovered along the Orwell river that runs through the macphail woods trails. After an investigation, pesticides were determined to be the cause of the fishkill. The PEI government performed an investigation and have released a report.
Orwell River Fishkills. Requires PDF Viewer.

I love the CBC title to this story, "Lake contaminated by perch", so I choose my invasion title based on it. Doesn't really matter now about a trout fishery in the lake as the mercury level of fish in the lake are of concern. According to the story, the lake has not been stocked with trout in five years due to mercury concerns.

A P.E.I. lake, previously a popular trout fishing spot, is now swimming with white perch.

Provincial wildlife officials don't know how the perch got into O'Keefe Lake, but say they may have been introduced there by someone.

Lake contaminated by perch
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2011/03/07/pei-...

Macphail Woods Articles
Fish Kill Action Plan heavy on education, light on action

Fish Kill Action Plan heavy on education, light on action by Gary Schneider

The report of the Action Committee on Agricultural Runoff Control has been released with great fanfare. The committee, appointed by government in response to the spate of fish kills over the summer, was made up of representatives from various government departments, the agricultural industry, chemical companies and the PEI Wildlife Federation (added after public outcry). It promised swift action to prevent fish kills from happening in the future. "The Action Committee believes that even one dead fish is one too many and that this can - and must - be prevented in the future." Just what people wanted to hear. But what of the actions? When you really look at them, what is promised and will they work? Look for yourself:

Section of an Island Stream.

• Federal and provincial governments should strictly enforce the regulations of the Environmental Protection Act, the Pesticides Control Act and the Fisheries Act. Given the number of fish kills this summer, the proof will be in the pudding will anyone get charged this year? Government investigations are ongoing. but if no one is charged this season, its hard to say why anything will change next year.

MacLure's Pond, in Murray River PEI, has been closed to swimming and fishing, as reported in CBC. The Dept of Environment reports that high levels of cyano-bacteria or commonly called blue-green algae, are occurring in the pond. The CBC report seems to indicate that the high summer temperatures are responsible, however, many other ponds are just as warm, yet not experiencing algae blooms. I'm sure the golf course surrounding the west end of the pond has nothing to do with it. Although warm temperatures are a factor in algae blooms, nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus play an important role as well. Just sayin...

While we are at it, why is there a 1000' bridge going across the pond ?

A bloom of blue-green algae has closed MacLure's Pond near Murray River to swimming and fishing.

The province has posted signs warning people of the problem. The Cyanobacteria algae can make humans and animals sick.

"When it gets to heavy enough growth, there is a toxin that's released from the blue-green algae," said deputy chief health officer Dr. Lamont Sweet.

"This toxin is irritating to the eyes if a person is in the water. And if they swallow the water, it is irritating to the stomach. There can be nausea, vomiting, there can be stomach cramps and diarrhea at times, if a person ingests enough of the water."

Algae closes Murray River pond
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2010/08/23/pei-algae...

January 25, 2008

The Journal Pioneer

A resource beyond value
Advisory committee is travelling across the Island this year fishing for public input on how to capitalize on the Island's recreational fisheries

It's enough to cause even seasoned anglers to rub their eyes in disbelief - streams as narrow as a metre holding good-sized trout.

Biologist Daryl Guignion says it's not uncommon for brook trout to spawn in waters shallow enough to expose a fish's fins. Virtually any stretch of flowing water connected to the sea will hold trout.