New BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations are out

© By Othmar Vohringer

A few days ago I had the pleasure to talk to Steve Maricle, one of the BC wildlife departments small lake biologists. During our conversation Steve told me how happy he is that he finally could convince our provincial government to simplify the Freshwater Fishing Synopsis. Steve like many others, me included, always felt that the old regulations were too complicated with 37 different regulations for each small lake. More confusing then enlightening.

Having traveled to quite a few places in North America to hunt and fish I always thought that the BC Fishing Synopsis, a magazine filling more then 100 pages, is without a doubt one of the most convoluted written regulations anywhere. Almost for each lake, river and stream there are different rules on fishing tackle, boat engine horsepower, retention limits among an array of other regulations.

Thankfully Steve worked very hard to simplify the regulation and as a result we have much simpler regulations for 2009 that can be read without the assistance of a lawyer and do not need to be consulted each time one fishes a different lake. The biggest problem with the old regulations was that they would put off new fishers simply because they could not make heads and tail off it without reading the regulations for hours at a time.

Among the new and simplified regulations are the small lake classifications. This alone is a huge improvement to the former system. Small lakes are now classified throughout the regionas:

• SL-1 means that the daily retaining quota for char and trout is 2
• SL-2 trout and char daily quota is 1, plus on these lakes only single barbless hooks can be used, plus winter closures and fish size restrictions are in place where required.
• SL-3 trout and char daily quota is 2 plus bait ban and only single barbless hooks can be used. Winter closures if necessary.
• SL-4 trout and char catch and release only, plus bait ban and single barbless hooks only. Seasonal closures if necessary.

Another new feature I like is that the ice fishing closures, previously dated, are now simplified with the remark. "If the ice is off you can fish". Before there was a date included but what if the ice was not off on that specific date. Where you still permitted to fish despite the ice fishing ban? The decision was left to the interpretation of the Conservation Officer. In the new regulation the ice fishing ban is lifted when the ice is off the lake at what ever date that might be. Much simpler and easier to understand and no interpretation need.

There are many other positive changes and most of these changes are aimed at making fishing in British Columbia simpler and above all unify the regulation throughout the regions. I for one am very glad Steve invested all the hard work and time to simplify the regulation and had the necessary stamina to convince the bureaucrats in the government, which probably was the toughest part.

Changes to Fishing License Sale

© By Othmar Vohringer

I received the following news item in my email that will affect all fresh water fishers in British Columbia.

Members should be aware that as we go to press with this newsletter we have been advised that the Provincial Government has now ruled that the only way you can get a fishing license for the coming year, is over the internet.

Understand you will not be able to get your license as you normally would at the local sporting goods store. You either have to do this from your own computer, if you have one and an internet connection or find a friend or a commercial outlet that can provide you with internet access. To date we have been unable to find a dealing in Merritt who is willing to purchase a new computer, a printer, paper and ink and set this up in their place of business just to sell fishing licenses. So be forewarned!

Of course this action only makes sense to our government. They are spending our license funds and getting many of us involved in projects to increase participation in recreational fishing and increase license sales and then, naturally they go about making it as difficult as possible for anglers to obtain a license. This will mean, in this writers experience that not only will there not be more people buying licenses but many who now buy will no longer do so. The inmates have taken over the asylum!

Your current license expires on March 31st.

Bill Otway

I fully agree with Bill, when he says, “The inmates have taken over the asylum!”, only our glorious squirrel brained BC government could come up with such lunacy. We have had e-licensing for a number of years and it was a great idea in connection with over the counter licensing. British Columbia has still a lot of remote and rural areas with no access to the Internet or only with dial up access.

The government spent millions to make fishing more accessible but by taking the over the counter license purchase option away they make it extraordinary difficult for many to obtain a license. Add to that the fact that many fishing tackle and hunting stores, including some Canadian Tire and Wal-Marts, already announced that they would not invest in new computers, printers and software needed to provide e-licensing service to their customers. This new system will do nothing for fishing. I will make a bet with anyone that fishing license sells will go drastically down and poaching will sky rocket.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Tags: BC. Fishing License, Fresh Water Fishing, Fishing in British Columbia

Recent Fishing Regulation Changes

© By Othmar Vohringer

As of April 1, 2008 the following changes and amendments to the fishing regulations have been made.





Coastwide prawn and shrimp trapping changes.

Recreational prawn and shrimp by trap fishers are reminded that effective 00:01 hrs April 1, 2008 all closures (including "pulse fishing" closures) will be revoked, thereby allowing for the recreational fishery for prawns and shrimp by trap, ring net, or spear while diving to resume in all coastal areas seven days per week.

For Stuart Channel (Subareas 17-5, 17-6, and 17-9), Saanich Inlet (Subareas
19-7 to 19-12), and Alberni Inlet (Subareas 23-1 to 23-3) be advised that a one week closure will be in place from 00:01 hrs May 1 to 23:59 hrs May 7, 2008.
This action has been approved by the Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) and the Prawn Industry Caucus to allow for the completion of comprehensive spawner index sampling surveys at the start of the commercial fishery and is part of the agreed upon plan for these high use areas. Variation Order Number 2008-125.
The usual daily bag, possession and trap limits continue to be in effect
coastwide. Refer to the 2007 to 2009 B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide for further information.
Click here for more information

Areas 19 and 20 Chinook Regulation Change

Additional management measures to reduce harvest impacts on Early Timed Fraser
River Chinook stocks are currently in effect in portions of Areas 19 and 20
during the period of March 11 to May 15, 2008.

These measures currently allow a daily limit of two (2) wild or hatchery marked
chinook salmon between 45 cm and 67 cm in length in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (Those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Pt to Sheringham Pt). Refer to Fishery Notice FN0131 dated March 07, 2008 for further details.

As of April 1, the retention of hatchery marked Chinook that are greater than
67 cm in length will also be permitted as described below.

Effective 00:01 hrs Tuesday April 1, 2008 and until 23:59 hrs Thursday May 15,
2008 the daily limit is two (2) wild or hatchery marked Chinook salmon between
45 cm and 67 cm in length or hatchery marked salmon only that are greater than 67 cm in length in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Pt to Sheringham Pt).
Click here for more information

Early Chinook Salmon Management Changes

Spawning escapements of early timed Fraser Chinook have declined to very low levels and the Department is implementing additional measures to reduce harvest impacts. Additional management measures are required for commercial, recreational and First Nation fisheries to halt the decline of early timed
Chinook.

Effective 00:01 hrs Tues, March 11 until 23:59 hrs Thurs, May 15, in Subareas
19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Pt to
Sheringham Pt) the daily limit is two (2) wild or hatchery marked chinook salmon per day between 45 cm and 67 cm in length. An option to retain hatchery marked chinook greater than 67 cm is still under consideration.

Effective 00:01 hrs Tues, April 1 until 23:59 hrs Fri, May 30 in Subareas 29-6,
29-7, 29-9 and 29-10 the daily limit is zero (0) chinook salmon.

Subareas 29-11 to 29-17 and Region 2 are currently no fishing for salmon.
Effective 00:01 hrs Thurs, May 1 until 23:59 hrs Sun, June 15, the daily limit
is zero (0) chinook salmon.
Click here for more information

Hook Size Restriction in Area 12

Effective April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 in that portion of Subarea 12-41 commonly know as Nimmo Bay lying north westerly of a line drawn between two square white boundary signs it is prohibited to the use of a single barbless hook that measures no greater than 15mm between the point and the shank of the hook.

The line is from the boundary marker on Nimmo Point (50 degrees 56.282 minutes N, 126 degrees 41.495 minutes W) to a boundary marker on the mainland shore at (50 degrees 56.373 minutes N, 126 degrees 41.303 minutes W).
Click here for more information

Tight lines…and don’t forget to have fun!

Tags: BC Fishing Regulations

Fishing License Renewal Reminder

This is a short reminder that your 2007-2008 angling licenses will expire on March 31st, 2008. Make sure you renew them if you decide to fish on and after April 1st, 2008.

Both fresh and saltwater angling licenses can now be renewed online.

Online Freshwater License Purchase

Online Saltwater Fishing License Purchase

Fishing licenses and individual fish species stamps can also be purchased at you local fish tackle and, or hunting goods store, at Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire.

Please don’t forget to obtain the 2008 – 2009 Freshwater or Saltwater Fishing Regulation Synopsis to stay abreast of any changes in the regulations before you go fishing. The B.C. Fishing Regulation Synopsis is free of charge and can be obtained in any fishing tackle or hunting goods store, Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart or online here.

Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) Dial Toll Free 1-877-952-7277 or report violators online

Tight lines…and don’t forget to have fun!

Tags: B.C. Fishing Regulations, Freshwater Fishing License, Saltwater Fishing License