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What Trout Eat

Writer's picture: Freshwater Conservation CanadaFreshwater Conservation Canada
What Trout Eat

Photo Credit: Rob Hinchliffe


What Trout Eat-Just over 20 years ago, representatives of the four fishing clubs in Edmonton at the time, one of which was a chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada, cooperated in establishing a quality stocked and aerated trout fishery at Muir Lake just north of Spruce Grove, Alberta. The project also involved the development and installation of eight 32” x 70” signs to provide anglers and others with information on and photos of the natural food items available to trout in Muir Lake and other stocked lakes in the province. The displays also included suggested spin and fly fishing strategies for imitating the prevalent minnows and bugs at each stage of their lifecycle. The project received a National Recreational Fisheries Award.

By 2020 the displays were becoming unreadable due to the effects of weather and climate. Northern Lights Fly Fishers (NLFF) Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada decided to undertake the process of fundraising and research to update and replace them. The Chapter received an Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) Conservation, Community, and Education grant.  In addition to the grant, the ACA offered to do the graphic design. Lil Johns Sign Shop provided a significant discount on sign production and installation, and NLFF and the Edmonton Trout Fishing Club each contributed some funding.

Work on the educational signs began in January 2021. They were completely rewritten, re-illustrated, and redesigned with input from a biologist, aquatic invertebrate taxonomist, communication specialists, and a number of experienced anglers and fly tyers. Some of the intended audience, mostly beginning anglers and junior high students, also provided their feedback.  The signs are now in production to be installed at Muir Lake in August 2021.  There are QR codes on each display linking to a digital version.

View images of the displays.

To view any of the displays please click on the link below:

What Trout Eat

Photo Credit: Rob Hinchliffe


If any Trout Unlimited Canada Chapter wishes to use any or all of these displays for educational purposes about the trout lakes in your area, Northern Lights has waived any copyright permission. The Chapter would, however, be interested in hearing from you via email about where and how you used them.

Work has now begun on creating an expanded digital version of the information to be advertised as freely available to any individual or organization interested in using the information for educational purposes. The digital version will be rewritten in part to align more closely with the Alberta Education Program of Studies for Outdoor Education and will contain links to a wide range of additional, more detailed information.

Any feedback and suggestions on how you think the material might be improved – additional information, photos, illustrations, links, changes, etc – would be much appreciated.

Additional background on the project is available on the Northern Lights website at What Trout Eat and a list of those involved in its development at Acknowledgements.

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