Salmon Fishing - North Coast

[britman101]

Salmon fishing could be done this year on the North Coast. Unless there is a bump up in numbers DFO is willing to close the whole North Coast of BC to salmon fishing.

https://www.thenorthernview.com/news...shery-closure/

[Serengeti Charters]

It would be a bubble around the mouth of the Skeena and Nass Rivers so not the entire north coast but would have to make a fairly large run out of Prince Rupert in order to get out of the closed area...not set in stone yet though.

[ROA]

If I am reading it right you could still fish for coho, pinks, chum in the ocean? And a possible total closure of the Skeena?

[bigmeadow]

Fingers crossed, was hoping to bring some spring home on this years fishing trip.

[surhuntsalot]

Originally Posted by ROA

If I am reading it right you could still fish for coho, pinks, chum in the ocean? And a possible total closure of the Skeena?

As of now I believe the Skeena and Nass river systems are Closed until
further notice. If test fisheries indicate a sufficient return of salmon, the river may be opened at a later date (possibly with limit or special slot size imposed). No decision is final on the tidal waters around Prince Rupert as of yet. There has been rumours that if the closure is imposed it will be to all fishing as to reduce mortality from catch and release (but one again, no final decision). A final decision might not be made until early May. Also rumoured is a closure of Yelloweye, and changes in rockfish limits, as well as a reduction in the maximum length for Halibut to 115cm from 133cm after April 1st. Negotiations are ongoing at this point.
There are also discussions about closing salmon fishing in some areas around Vancouver Island, citing low food stocks for “endangered” pod of resident Orca’s... all in all a lot of uncertainty at this point... Hope for the best...

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by Serengeti Charters

It would be a bubble around the mouth of the Skeena and Nass Rivers so not the entire north coast but would have to make a fairly large run out of Prince Rupert in order to get out of the closed area...not set in stone yet though.

That is what I heard also. Likely river closures. Likely spring when those runs are going through.

[surhuntsalot]

Originally Posted by Serengeti Charters

It would be a bubble around the mouth of the Skeena and Nass Rivers so not the entire north coast but would have to make a fairly large run out of Prince Rupert in order to get out of the closed area...not set in stone yet though.

Pretty big bubble...From the Alaska Border south to Kitimat, and from east of the Nass to west of Dundas, Melville, and Stephens island... I guide there, and trust me, that’s a massive area. It would eliminate fishing in the Portland canal, and Chatham sound. Virtually all protected inside water. There were a lot of days when it’s simply not safe to venture out into the Hecate Strait to fish outside the proposed closure area... Hopefully a reasonable compromise can be reached ...