Fishery Notice

British Columbia's Family Fishing Weekend (FFW) is a celebration of the great tradition of sport fishing. The Government of Canada is providing an opportunity to fish in tidal waters at no cost (unless you require a salmon conservation stamp) for the weekend dates of June 16 to 18, 2023, only. For more information please visit the following webpage at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/events-evenements/ffw-wpf/index-eng.html.

This is applicable to Canadian residents as well as non-residents, including adults, seniors, and juveniles. If you hold a valid 2023/24 BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing (TWSF) Licence, you must carry it when you are fishing during the Family Fishing Weekend. Please note that all Conditions of Licence, closures, and catch restrictions are still in force. Before going fishing, ensure that you refer to the conditions of the 2023/24 TWSF Licence as well as the online BC Sport Fishing Guide (http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html). 

To fish for salmon in tidal waters, you will require a free TWSF licence and a valid 2023 salmon conservation stamp. The salmon conservation stamp can be purchased through the National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) and added to the free TWSF Licence. Please note that if you already hold a valid salmon stamp, it will automatically be added to the free TWSF Licence online. If you hold a hard copy salmon conservation stamp ensure that you carry it along with the free FFW TWSF Licence for the June 16 to 18, 2023 period. Please note that the free FFW TWSF Licence is only valid from June 16 to 18, 2023; however, any salmon conservation stamps purchased are valid for the entire fishing season (April 01, 2023 to March 31, 2024). 

You are required, by regulation, to have a copy of your licence on you and to record the retention of Chinook salmon, halibut, and lingcod (in specified areas). Your licence must be produced on request of a fishery officer, conservation officer, or fishery guardian, so ensure that you carry your licence with you while fishing or transporting your catch, either in hard copy or readily available on your mobile device.

You may obtain a complimentary Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licence for the period of June 16 to 18, 2023, online at https://recfish-pechesportive.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. The Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licence will be available June 5, 2023. 

Additionally the BC Provincial government waives the requirement for residents to buy or carry a non-tidal (freshwater) basic licence from June 16-18, 2023. For more information please visit the following webpage at: https://www.gofishbc.com/Blog/About-Us/BC-s-Family-Fishing-Weekend.aspx.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0530
Sent June 5, 2023 at 0929

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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 May 20, 2024 at 1418