Image Credit: Rick McGowan

By Chad Klassen

PUBLIC LAKE ACCESS

New sign welcomes public back to Minnie and Stoney Lakes after lengthy court battle

May 25, 2019 | 7:15 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club says a sign that’s been put up at Douglas Lake is a step in the right direction as it tries to put an official end to a seven-year fight over access to public lakes.

Club member Rick McGowan sent CFJC Today a photo of the sign that’s been put up by the Douglas Lake Cattle Company on behalf of the province.

“It’s an acknowledgment for the public that these lakes are again public for everyone and they can go there, which is what our goal was in the first place,” McGowan said. “It was all worthwhile.”

Club members have already been back to both Minnie and Stoney Lakes to fish since the ruling in their favour in December.

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But members like McGowan want to make people aware they are welcome to use these waters freely, albeit with certain restrictions.

The province is not allowing ice fishing on either lakes. It is catch-and-release on Stoney Lake, while anglers are permitted one rainbow trout a day on Minnie Lake.

“We knew they were going to outlaw it for ice fishing and change the regulations,” noted McGowan. “But now the province has changed the rules and regulations in the fresh water fisheries regulations — pretty much back to what they were before Douglas Lake locked everybody out — so that’s a good thing. The rules that apply now are fair for everybody.”

However, this is not the end of the battle over the lakes. Douglas Lake appealed December’s court ruling by Supreme Court Justice Joel Groves. It’s an appeal that may not be settled until early 2020.

Evan Cooke, the lawyer representing the Douglas Lake Cattle Company, told CFJC Today the appeal process has slowed down significantly due to the upcoming June 17 court date that will determine how much of the legal costs the club will get back.

McGowan says there are other details to iron out as well.

“To determine what our costs were, as we were awarded cost, but it’s an unknown figure at this point,” he noted. “And some of the fine particulars about the road access and legal survey has to be determined on the 17th. After that, I’m sure Douglas Lake will appeal whatever the judge says.”

McGowan says the club’s legal fees amounted to $310,000 in this battle over Douglas Lake — $160,000 of which were raised by the club. He figures the case has cost both sides upwards of $1 million.

The Douglas Lake Cattle Company could not be reached by CFJC Today.