- Be considerate and courteous to other anglers as we share this extraordinary bounty; tips below
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has announced additional sockeye and pink fishing opportunities in the main stem of the Fraser River and tidal waters starting August 22.
Check this link to determine when and where you can fish, and daily limits.
https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=329242&ID=all
Pink salmon rod and reel angling downstream of the Mission railway bridge, in tidal waters, opened on August 18.
“All the major sockeye runs are greatly exceeding expectations, so this is great news for everyone,” said B.C. Wildlife Federation Executive Director Jesse Zeman.
Depending on the area, anglers may be permitted a daily harvest of two sockeye and four pink salmon in-river, and four sockeye and four pink salmon in marine waters during the public fishery. Check species limit details in your area before fishing.
DFO’s latest projection for Fraser River spawner returns has more than tripled since the pre-season estimates, from fewer than three million fish to 9.6 million. All four major sockeye runs are exceeding expectations.
The B.C. Wildlife Federation and our partners have been working hard with DFO to give British Columbians access to this huge surplus of salmon.
“This is extraordinarily good news for B.C. and for our salmon populations generally. We encourage anglers to get out and enjoy the fishery, fill your freezers, and stay in touch with our Canadian heritage,” said Zeman. “Demand for space on the river will be at a premium, so remember to practice courtesy at all times.”
For management purposes, sockeye salmon are divided up into four stock groupings, including the Early Stuart, Early Summer, Summer and Late-run fish. The are millions of Summer-run fish available for harvest as they are returning at over three and a half times the numbers from early projections.
This year’s Early Stuart sockeye run is the largest since 1997 and approximates productivity levels from the 1970s. The Pacific Salmon Commission has updated its in-season estimate for this run from 116,000 to 725,000 fish, more than six times higher than forecast.
Early Summer run fish are returning at nearly double the early projections, with the Summer-run sockeye at 2.2 times higher.
While the health of Late runs are not yet known, the numbers are reasonably optimistic. The projections for Late runs headed to the Weaver, Birkenhead, Sushwap and Adams River have been increased from pre-season projections of 468,000 to 1,000,000 fish.
Make sure everyone has a great angling experience
Demand for the in-river fishery will be high; follow these tips for an enjoyable day
- Be courteous and respectful at all times.
- Ask if you can cast beside anglers already on the bank.
- Avoid casting over other angler’s lines; synchronize casting with nearby anglers.
- Pull your lines to allow First Nations drift nets to pass; they cannot easily avoid you.
- Wait until boaters pass to cast your line.
- Make sure your licenses are in order before heading out; you need a saltwater license and a salmon stamp downstream of Mission, while upstream you need a freshwater license and a salmon stamp.
- Stick to your daily limit, then make room for other anglers.
- If you have a conflict, document the details with your smartphone, call the RAPP line (Report All Poachers and Polluters) and leave the area. It is illegal to harass or interfere with lawful hunting and angling. In B.C. call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277 or DFO’s Observe, Record, Report line at 1-800-465-4336.