FN0475 Recreational Salmon Fishing in Skeena River Region 6

FN0475-RECREATIONAL – Salmon – Region 6 – Skeena River – Recreational Salmon Fishing

Effective May 27, 2020 at 00:01 hours all rivers and lakes flowing into PFMAs 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be closed to Chinook fishing, excluding the Kitimat River and sections of the Nass River watershed.

The following management measures will be in place for North Coast Coho as follows:

1. Effective May 27, 2020 at 00:01 hours the daily quota for Skeena Coho will be reduced to two (2) Coho salmon, only one of which can be over 50 cm, in the Skeena River watershed.
2. Effective May 27, 2020 at 00:01 hours the daily quota for Coho in all rivers and lakes that flow into PFMAs 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be reduced to two (2) per day, only one (1) of which can be over 50 cm, excluding the Kitimat River.

The Following Skeena River tributaries, sections of tributaries and sections of the Skeena River mainstem will be closed to fishing for salmon as follows:

1. Skeena River mainstem waters near the Kitsumkalum River mouth, from the confluence with the Zymagotitz River (also known as Zymacord River) upstream to the Classified Waters boundary at the top of Hell’s Gate.
   Effective July 1 to Aug 31, 2020.
2. Kitsumkalum River (including lakes and tributaries).
   Effective July 1 to Aug 31, 2020.
3. Skeena River mainstem waters near the Kitwanga River mouth, from Mill Creek upstream to the Highway 37 Bridge.
   Effective May 27, 2020 at 00:01 hours until further notice.
4. Skeena River mainstem waters within the three white triangular fishing boundary signs located at the confluence of the Skeena River and Kispiox River.
   Effective May 27, 2020 at 00:01 hours until further notice.
5. The Bulkley River and Morice River waters within the four white triangular fishing boundary signs located at the confluence of the Bulkley River and Morice River (locally known as “the Forks”). The closure starts 100 meters upstream of the confluence and ends approximately 1 kilometre downstream.
   Effective June 16 to Aug 15, 2020.

Recreational fishing for Chum salmon will remain closed in the entire Skeena River watershed (Includes tributaries and lakes).

Variation Order #: 2020-RCT-248, 2020-RFQ-249, 2020-RCT-259, 2020-RFQ-260

These management measures are in being put into place to help address ongoing concerns with North Coast Chinook and Coho salmon.

Please refer to the online BC Sport Fishing Guide, Freshwater Region 6, for a complete list of the recreational salmon regulations for all lakes and rivers of Region 6.

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish

Notes:

Possession limits are two times the daily limits.

The term “marked” means a hatchery fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped chinook and coho salmon. Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at (866) 483-9994 for further information.

Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licences can be purchased via any computer connected to the internet at https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm or by using Google search key words “Recfish Licence”.