Fishery Notice

This notice advises fishers of the upcoming recreational salmon opportunities on the Puntledge and Courtenay Rivers, and also reminds fishers of areas closed to fishing.

Puntledge and Courtenay Rivers, downstream from a fishing boundary sign located 75m downstream of the weir at the lower hatchery (excluding the Morrison Creek closure listed below):

Effective 00:01 hours September 1, 2021 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2021 - two (2) Chinook per day.

Effective 00:01 hours October 1, 2021 until 23:59 hours November 30, 2021 - one (1) hatchery-marked Coho per day.

Effective 00:01 hours October 1, 2021 until 23:59 hours December 31, 2021 - two (2) Chum per day.

Puntledge River, from the weir at the lower hatchery to fishing boundary signs approximately 75m downstream of the weir - no fishing for salmon year round.

Morrison Creek closure: between fishing boundary signs located 100m upstream and downstream of the confluence with Morrison Creek - closed to fishing for finfish year round.

Variation Orders: 2021-RFQ-0441; 2021-RCT-098; 2021-GMB-099

Notes:

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.

Anglers are further reminded that intentionally (willfully) foul-hooking fish or attempting to foul hook fish is illegal and that non-compliance may result in closure. Foul hook is defined as: hooking a fish in any part of its body other than the mouth.

Information about finfish closed areas and salmon non-retention areas, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the Internet at: www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish

The term "hatchery marked", "marked", or "adipose fin clipped" means a 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 labeling 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 1-866-483-9994 for further information.

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation?  If so, please call the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1-866-431-FISH (3474).

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Erika Watkins, ECVI Recreational Fisheries Manager, Erika.Watkins@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Or contact your local DFO office at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/contact/regions/pacific-pacifique-eng.html

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0834
Sent August 23, 2021 at 1426

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on January 13, 2026 at 2116