Fishery Notice

As a result of above average returns of Cowichan Chinook, and average to above average expectations for Cowichan Coho, below details the in-season changes to the management measures on the Cowichan River.

Effective immediately, the no fishing order is lifted (allowing for angling with non-retention of salmon) in the following area:

Cowichan River - from 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the white triangle boundary sign located in Sandy Pool Regional Park.

Effective 00:01 hours November 1 to 23:59 hours November 15, the daily limit for Coho Salmon is one (1) per day (hatchery marked or unmarked), in the following area:
Cowichan River - from 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the white triangle boundary sign located in Sandy Pool Regional Park.

Effective 00:01 hours November 16 to 23:59 hours December 31, the daily limit for Coho Salmon is one (1) per day (hatchery marked or unmarked), in the following area:

Cowichan River - from 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the tidal water boundary

Reminder: downstream of the white triangle boundary sign located in Sandy Pool Regional Park, downstream to the tidal water boundary is closed to fishing until 23:59 hours November 15.

Anglers are being requested to provide catch information from the Coho fishery to DFO through the use of a catch card system. Anglers wishing to participate in this fishery can obtain catch cards at the following retailers:

- Bucky's Sport Shop, Duncan
- Gone Fishin', Duncan
- Gord's Fly Box, Lake Cowichan

Anglers can also find cards/drop boxes at the Stoltz Pool Campground and Sandy Pool Park.

Variation Orders: 2021-RFQ-580; 2021-RCT-499


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: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/contact/regions/pacific-pacifique-eng.html

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1120
Sent October 21, 2021 at 1524

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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 April 19, 2024 at 0141