Selective Fishing Methods to Protect Early Stuart Sockeye Salmon
Posted on June 22nd, 2007 by Rodney Hsu, webmaster

In late June Early Stuart sockeye will enter the Fraser River. The forecast for Early Stuart sockeye is 45,000 fish. DFO anticipates that in-river migration conditions during their migration will be adverse; extremely high water levels leading to en-route mortality.

Given the low forecast and expected en-route mortality all fish are required for escapement. DFO will be working with all users of the resource to limit their impact on Early Stuart sockeye.

We anticipate that DFO will continue to authorize the Chinook directed recreational fishery and will announce a “no fishing for sockeye” restriction during the migration of Early Stuart sockeye (late June thru late July).

What does this mean for you? For the recreational anglers, DFO is requesting that anglers fish selectively.

The first principle of selective harvest is to avoid catching non-targeted stocks.
This means that anglers are requested to use methods that do not catch sockeye. We, the SFAC, have found the following fishing methods both catch Chinook and rarely intercept sockeye:

• Bar Fishing
• Trolling Spoons at Creek mouths
• Float Fishing
• Pulling Plugs

We encourage you to continue to use these methods to target Chinook while avoiding sockeye.

Please note that bottom bouncing is NOT a selective fishing method and is strongly discouraged during the migration of Early Stuart sockeye and a “no fishing for sockeye” restriction is in place.

The Upper Fraser Valley Sport Fish Advisory Committee (SFAC) and its member groups strongly encourage all anglers to fish selectively for Chinook with methods not likely to catch sockeye during this time period.

Should DFO feel that the rate of compliance is insufficient to ensure the safe passage of the Early Stuart sockeye spot closures or a “no fishing for salmon” restriction may result.

This message is brought to you by the Upper Fraser Valley SFAC. For more information about the SFAC go to this website. You can also contact one of these member groups of the Upper Fraser Valley SFAC:

• BC Federation of Drift Fishers
• Fraser Valley Salmon Society
• Fraser Valley Angling Guides Association

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