combo3010, shore fishing opportunities for rockfish (good sized fish anyways) are minimal in the Southern BC area.
For anyone who intends to fish for
rockfish, it is important that you find out about the
rockfish conservation areas that have been set out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The RCAs change every year, new ones maybe added so it is important for you to revisit the link that I've provided sometimes. Current rockfish areas are listed on
this page. For Strait of Georgia, please go to
this link. No fishing is allowed in RCAs.
These closures are implemented as an effort to re-establish the rockfish populations, which have declined tremendously over the years. The lifespan and spawning cycle of rockfish is long, so they can easily be overfished.
As of June 1st, anglers are allowed to fish and keep rockfish and lingcod in the Strait of Georgia. Please see the official DFO notice:
Lingcod
-------
Effective 00:01 hours June 1 to 23:59 hours September 30, by hook and line
fishing only, you may retain one lingcod per day in Areas 13 to 19 and Subarea
29-5, except for in Rockfish Conservation Areas which remain closed. (Please
check with your local DFO office for a description of these areas).
Lingcod limits and restrictions in effect June 1 in the open areas described
above will be as follows:
-one lingcod per day, minimum size limit is 65 cm;
-ten lingcod per year, minimum size limit is 65 cm;
-by hook and line gear only, (no spear fishing).
A recreational fishing mortality of 5,000 pieces has been determined as the
allowable catch to ensure continued rebuilding of the lingcod population within
the Strait of Georgia. The effort and catch within the fishery will be
monitored. If the monitoring program indicates that the allowable catch may be
reached before September 30, 2006, the fishery will be closed.
Area 28 and Area 29 except for Subarea 29-5 will remain closed due to continued
concern for low abundance.
Rockfish
--------
Inshore rockfish are currently open for fishing throughout the entire Strait of
Georgia. The daily bag limit is one.
To ensure that conservation requirements are met, this recreational rockfish
fishery will close 23:59 hours September 30, in conjunction with the lingcod
closure.
Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs)
-----------------------------------
The RCAs announced for the 2005 fishing season are in effect within the Strait
of Georgia. Since these areas restrict hook and line fishing, lingcod will
receive additional protection from these closures. Additional RCAs will be
announced later in the calendar year and will go into effect prior to
recreational and commercial fishing in 2007.
The Rockfish Conservation Areas currently in effect can be found at the
following website:
www.pac.dfo-www.pac.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Restricted_Areas/Rockfish_Maps_2004/default_e.htm
(Variation Order Nos. 2006-263 & 2006-264)
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gary Logan, 604-666-6810
Usually rockfish or other groundfish do not survive well if you intend to release them once they are caught, so it is best to stop fishing after you have kept your daily quota of one fish. It is not an ideal catch and release fishery.
For the Lower Mainland, my suggestion would be to head towards North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Howe Sound. Please also be aware of the shore fishing closure in Area 28 (West Vancouver),
see notice.
Good luck.
Author
Topic: Good place for on shore rock cod fishing? please help (Read 13249 times)