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[Plshelpnoobhere]

Hey guys,

What's a good place to see steelhead (especially winter steel) fishing regulations and requirements? BC gov has this (https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html) page for salmon, but nothing for steelhead from what I could find.

From what I understand, I need a freshwater licence and steelhead stamp? What about river keep limits, river closures/fishing dates, etc?

Thanks

[clarki]

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/freshwater-fishing/fishing_synopsis.pdf

Region 2 starts on page 20

[RalphH]

The link you have is for salmon (coho, chinook, chum, pink and sockeye) in tidal and freshwater which is managed by the Federal Government.

Steelhead are managed by the Province and Clarki has provided the link for Freshwater regulations for the Province.

Here is a link to the  regulations specific to Region 2 - Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/freshwater-fishing/region_2_lower_mainland.pdf

Retention limits for steelhead are at the top of the 2nd column, 1st page.

Basic Regulations:

you need a steelhead stamp on your FW license

you can only retain 2 hatchery steelhead per day and no more than 10 per year.

You have to record your catch on your license immediately after killing a hatchery steelhead.

You can only use a single barbless hook

Only a few streams have hatchery steelhead. Some streams have tackle restrictions (ie no bait and or fly only and are catch and release only.) Consult the regulations for each stream you fish!

Tackle and methods are specialized.

A listing of streams stocked with steelhead is here: https://www.gofishbc.com/stocked-fish/?start=2015-01-08&end=2025-01-08&region=LOWER%20MAINLAND&species=Steelhead&reportType=lake


By far the best and most popular stream is the Vedder/Chilliwack river.

[Plshelpnoobhere]

The link you have is for salmon (coho, chinook, chum, pink and sockeye) in tidal and freshwater which is managed by the Federal Government.

Steelhead are managed by the Province and Clarki has provided the link for Freshwater regulations for the Province.

Here is a link to the  regulations specific to Region 2 - Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/freshwater-fishing/region_2_lower_mainland.pdf

Retention limits for steelhead are at the top of the 2nd column, 1st page.

Basic Regulations:

you need a steelhead stamp on your FW license

you can only retain 2 hatchery steelhead per day and no more than 10 per year.

You have to record your catch on your license immediately after killing a hatchery steelhead.

You can only use a single barbless hook

Only a few streams have hatchery steelhead. Some streams have tackle restrictions (ie no bait and or fly only and are catch and release only.) Consult the regulations for each stream you fish!

Tackle and methods are specialized.

A listing of streams stocked with steelhead is here: https://www.gofishbc.com/stocked-fish/?start=2015-01-08&end=2025-01-08&region=LOWER%20MAINLAND&species=Steelhead&reportType=lake


By far the best and most popular stream is the Vedder/Chilliwack river.

Thanks for the info!!! Your last link especially is a gold mine.

One question though: for genotype, steelhead are labelled winter/summer/diploid. What's diploid?

Thanks

[RalphH]

I don't know why they make this distinction as it usually related to non-anadromous fish (trout, char and kokanee) stocked in lakes.

Diploids are fertile with 2 sets of chromosomes. Triploids are treated with pressure I believe early in their life cycle which renders them sterile.

you can read more about it here: https://www.gofishbc.com/news/about-us/why-we-stock-triploid-and-all-female-trout/