Yep it was a crayfish. Collect enough and I suppose you would have a lobster. That one was about 8". Lots of those, sculpins, sticklebacks, shiners and minnows and the occasional trout. We also saw some patches of FW sponge colonies and something else I haven't yet identified (sort of a hydroid I think).
One fish I am always on the lookout for is the slimy sculpin, a small dark smudge of a fish that is on the endangered species list as Cultus is the only location in is found. It is thought to inhabit the deeper portions of the lake and not very much is known about it.
I usually dive lakes midweek as it is a good way to get a dive in without the commute (for me anyways). Those that live in the Vancouver area are already close to the ocean so the lakes may be more of a hassle.
In Port Moody Buntzen lake is a good lake. easy entry, generally good vis and a gradually sloping profile. There are some bluffs across from the dock that bear investigation (John and Randy may have already scootered them?). Last year we found some walls around the far side of the closest Islets. Some classes go to Sasamat lake too but last year they had a fecal coliform advisory so watch out!
The cliffs at Cultus are accessable by boat (or a very long surface swim) and I was happy that Todd invited me along last week as it was a destination I wanted to check out for a long time. Another dive of interest is midlake on the western shore where the DND owns some land. Urban legend has it that jeeps, trucks and even a Bailey bridge have been dumped in the lake there over the years.
