Like other years, there have been many seasonal salmon fishing regulation changes for the Fraser River in September and part of October. These changes are implemented to protect two species that are endangered and concerned by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. They are coho salmon and steelhead that are currently travelling through the Lower Fraser River to their natal streams in Interior British Columbia.

While fishing opportunities for chinook, pink and chum salmon, there are several regulation updates that you should be aware of, starting on September 6th. It is important that you are aware of these changes, so you will not violate them and be fined when caught. Protecting endangered species should be a priority while enjoying other fishing opportunities.

In this news update, we'll break down these changes into the tidal and non-tidal portion of the Fraser River so they are easier to follow.

If you are fishing in the tidal portion of the Fraser River (downstream from the CPR bridge in Mission), you should know the followings changes.

• Sockeye salmon retention is now closed so you cannot keep them. See fishery notice...
• There is no fishing for coho salmon. If coho salmon are caught, they need to be released with care. There is also a bait ban in effect until October 7th. See fishery notice...

If you are fishing in the non-tidal portion of the Fraser River (upstream from the CPR bridge in Mission), you should know the following changes.

• Sockeye salmon retention is now closed from the CPR bridge in Mission to the boundary sign located approximately 100 meters above the confluence with the Sumas/Vedder River on the south side of the Fraser River, then Northerly across the river to a boundary sign located on the north bank of the Fraser River. It remains open upstream of this boundary. See fishery notice...
• There is no fishing for coho salmon from the specified dates in this fishery notice. If coho salmon are caught, they need to be released with care. There will also be a bait ban in effect during this time. (update, there has been a correction to the previous notice on chum salmon daily quota. It's 2 fish per day, not 4 fish)

Please study the key identification features of all Pacific salmon species and identify your catches first before deciding to keep them. Fish that needs to be released should be done so with care. Steps that you can take to ensure their survival include keeping them in the water at all time while removing the hook, avoiding contact with their body. A catch and release landing net can be very handy.

Enjoy the rest of this Fraser River salmon fishing season!

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