Senior fisheries biologists have decided to extend the recreational fishing closure in Region 8 streams until September 30, 2021.
This closure includes: all streams in Management Units 8-1 through 8-15 and Management Units 8-21 to 8-23.
Rational is as follows:
- Several streams still are currently sitting at Drought Levels 3-5 in the Southern Interior:
- Okanagan drainage– Drought Level 4
- Similkameen drainage – Drought Level 3
- Kettle drainage – Drought Level 5
- Shuswap drainage – Drought Level 4
- Air temperatures have begun to decline; however daily maximum water temperatures remain greater than 20 degrees Celsius and low flows persist.
- An extension of the current angling closures is required to protect sensitive fish stocks until significant stream cooling and hydrologic recovery is detected.
- The angling closure extension will also ensure consistency with the WSA Section 88 Order in the Kettle River Watershed.
“While we all enjoy the opportunity to take our families fishing, conservation always comes first for the BCWF. The unprecedented drought we’re experiencing is threatening the fish stocks in our creeks and rivers with high water temperatures and low flows, and we’ve already had reports of dead and dying fish, particularly in the Kettle River system. We support these measures taken by our regional fisheries biologists to help reduce impacts on fish, and look forward to the end of this severe drought.” Pat Whittingham, Region 8 President.
Background:
On July 19, an emergency order was released which restricted stream fishing in Region 8:
“Region 8 – No Fishing: All streams in M.U.s 8-1 to 8-15 and 8-21 to 8-23 are closed to angling from July 19 to September 15. This is in response to drought conditions creating high water temperatures and low water levels.”
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