Category: Archived

Goldfish & Carp in our lakes – by: PARCS

🧡 Goldfish: From Pet to Problem

Goldfish may seem harmless, but when released into the wild, they become highly invasive. In Saskatchewan, they’ve been found in:

  • Stormwater ponds and ditches in cities like Saskatoon
  • Wascana Lake, Wascana Creek, and Qu’Appelle Lake

Why They’re a Threat:

  • 🧬 Prolific breeders: Goldfish can reproduce rapidly and grow to the size of a football in the wild
  • 🌱 Ecosystem disruptors: They stir up sediment, reduce water clarity, and destroy aquatic vegetation
  • 🦠 Disease carriers: They can spread pathogens to native fish populations

What’s Being Done:

  • The City of Saskatoon has removed over 1,000 pounds of goldfish from storm ponds and is using Rotenone, a natural fish toxicant, to control outbreaks
  • The “Don’t Let It Loose” campaign by the Government of Saskatchewan urges residents never to release aquarium pets into the wild.

🐟 Prussian Carp: A Silent Invasion

Prussian carp, a close relative of the goldfish, are even more dangerous due to their unique reproductive strategy and resilience.

Where They’ve Spread:

  • Lake Diefenbaker
  • South Saskatchewan River
  • Coteau Creek and Swift Current Creek
  • Anerley Lakes and tributaries

Why They’re a Major Threat:

  • ♻️ Cloning reproduction: Females can reproduce using sperm from other species without incorporating their DNA—essentially cloning themselves
  • 🧪 Hardy survivors: They thrive in low-oxygen, poor-quality water where native fish can’t survive
  • 📉 Biodiversity loss: Their presence is linked to declines in native fish and invertebrate populations

🚫 What You Can Do

  • Never release pets or bait into any waterbody
  • Report sightings of invasive species to the 24-hour TIPP line: 1-800-667-7561

Content obtained from newsletter email by PARCS (https://skparcs.ca/)

Provincial Wildfire Information

Article from MunicipalitiesTODAY from the Saskatchewan Government

Provincial Wildfire Information at saskatchewan.ca

Wildfires are burning throughout the province at this time. The latest information from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is posted at saskatchewan.ca – please bookmark this page and share it with your residents. Information posted includes:

  • Details on active wildfires
  • Latest situation updates
  • Information for evacuees
  • List of fire bans
  • Values at risk registry

Information Directly to You via SaskAlert

The emergency public alerting program, SaskAlert sends alerts about emergencies in real-time so you can keep yourself, your family and your property safe. SaskAlert is accessible by text message, email or on your landline.

Emergency Declaration and Management Planning 

For information and resources about how a municipality can make an emergency declaration and a link to the Declaration of a Local Emergency fillable form. There is also a link to a fillable form for a Band Council Resolution for Emergency Response.

Take FireSmart Precautions

The SPSA encourages all residents to take precautions to mitigate the risk of wildfire damage. Find out what you can do to be FireSmart and prevent and prepare your property from wildfires.

Wildfire Impacts on Roads

Please see the Highway Hotline for the most up to date information on any road closures due to wildfires.

Air Quality information at FireSmoke Canada

For information on air quality which can impact your health and safety, see Firesmoke Canada — the Canadian portal for information about wildland fire weather and smoke.