A local Ministry fisheries biologist says Kokanee numbers could bounce back quite quickly in Kootenay Lake.
Matt Neufeld in Nelson says their latest data on Kokanee fry is encouraging but predators like rainbow trout need to be kept in check.
Neufeld says anglers can play their part as the allowable rainbow catch will increase from 2 to 4 per day while it will reduce to zero for Kokanee.
An expert team of biologists will meet next month to consider more short and long-term steps to boost the Kokanee that will in turn improve the trout stocks.
Local residents and groups are concerned the collapse in the fishery will damage the economy.