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[armytruck]

       
   
     
     
 
 

 
 
 
 Fishery Notice
 
Category(s):  RECREATIONAL - Salmon
 
Subject:  FN0641-Salmon: Area 29 and Region 2 - Management Measures to Protect Thompson and Upper Fraser River Coho 

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The following measures will be implemented to protect Thompson and upper Fraser
River coho and to provide selective opportunities for Chinook and chum.

Fraser River Tidal Waters downstream of the CPR Bridge at Mission

Effective 00:01 hours Tuesday, September 2, 2008 to 23:59 hours Friday, October
3, 2008:

You may not fish for coho salmon.
You may not fish for sockeye salmon.
You may not use bait when fishing for salmon.

You may selectively fish for the following species:

- Chinook salmon, the daily limit is four (4) per day, only one of which may
exceed 62 cm.
- Chum salmon, the daily limit is two (2) per day.

Fraser River - above Mission

Effective 00:01 hours Thursday, September 4, 2008 to 23:59 hours Monday,
October 6, 2008, in the non-tidal waters of the Fraser River, from the CPR
Bridge at Mission, BC upstream to a line drawn between two triangular white
boundary signs located on opposite sides of the Fraser River approximately 3 km
upstream of the confluence with the Harrison River (downstream of Jesperson's
Bar):

You may not fish for coho salmon.
You may not fish for sockeye salmon.
You may not use bait when fishing for salmon.

You may selectively fish for the following species:

- Chinook salmon, the daily limit is four (4) per day, only one of which may
exceed 62 cm.
- Chum salmon, the daily limit is two (2) per day.

Note:  An "adult chinook" in this area is defined as being over 50 cm except
from September 1 to December 31 when an "adult chinook" is defined as being
over 62 cm.

During this critical migration timing for Interior Fraser coho, the
recreational community is requested to fish selectively when fishing for
chinook and chum.  The first principle of selective harvest is to avoid
catching non-targeted stocks.  This means that anglers are requested to use
angling methods that do not catch sockeye or coho.

NO FISHING AREAS FOR SALMON BY DATE

Effective 00:01 hrs Thursday, September 4, 2008 until 23:59 hrs Monday, October
6, 2008, in the non-tidal waters of the Fraser River, from a line drawn between
two triangular white boundary signs located on opposite sides of the Fraser
River approximately 3 km upstream of the confluence with the Harrison River
(downstream of Jesperson's Bar) to the Highway No. 1 Bridge at Hope, BC, you
may not fish for salmon.

Effective 00:01 hrs Saturday, September 6, 2008 until 23:59 hrs Thursday,
October 9, 2008, in the non-tidal waters of the Fraser River, from the Highway
No. 1 Bridge at Hope, BC to the confluence with Sawmill Creek you may not fish
for salmon.

Variation Order Nos 2008-346, 2008-347, 2008-348, 2008-349, 2008-350, 2008-351,
2008-352 in effect.

Notes:

The aggregate daily limit for all species of Pacific Salmon (other than
kokanee) from tidal and non-tidal waters combined is four (4).

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal
waters of British Columbia.  This includes all species of fish in the Fraser
River.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the voluntary Salmon Sport Head
Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped
chinook and coho salmon.  Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical
information for coast-wide stock assessment.  Contact the Salmon Sport Head
Recovery Program at (866) 483-9994 for further information.

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation?  If so, please call
the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line
at (800) 465-4336.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at (866) 431-
FISH.
 
           

 
 
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0641
Sent August 29, 2008 at 1504
 

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

  Return to Main Menu   Printable Version 
 
 

[casinoJim]

"During this critical migration timing for Interior Fraser coho, the
recreational community is requested to fish selectively when fishing for
chinook and chum.  The first principle of selective harvest is to avoid
catching non-targeted stocks.  This means that anglers are requested to use
angling methods that do not catch sockeye or coho."

Would I be wrong if I read this to mean no Bottom Bouncing from Sept 1st to Oct 9th in the Fraser river?

Further there is a bait ban?
Thanks
CJ.

[BigCoho]

"You may not use bait when fishing for salmon."

[Richmond]

"During this critical migration timing for Interior Fraser coho, the
recreational community is requested to fish selectively when fishing for
chinook and chum.  The first principle of selective harvest is to avoid
catching non-targeted stocks.  This means that anglers are requested to use
angling methods that do not catch sockeye or coho."

Would I be wrong if I read this to mean no Bottom Bouncing from Sept 1st to Oct 9th in the Fraser river?

Further there is a bait ban?
Thanks
CJ.

yes, you would be wrong.  this is talking about a bait ban.
I don't no much about BB but I'm sure they don't use bait.

[Buster]

No, you would not be wrong.

"During this critical migration timing for Interior Fraser coho, the
recreational community is requested to fish selectively when fishing for
chinook and chum.  The first principle of selective harvest is to avoid
catching non-targeted stocks.  This means that anglers are requested to use
angling methods that do not catch sockeye or coho."

It's quite clear actually.  Bottom bouncing is a method that does catch sockeye and coho.  Anglers are "requested" not to use such methods.  Bar fishing with spin and glows (see "bait ban") is not a method normally used to catch sockeye and coho. 

[Richmond]

if that’s how you read it, it means
no float fishing
no spoons
no jigs
nothing that takes any skill.

you can only sit mindlessly next to your bar rod.

[johnny]

if that’s how you read it, it means
no float fishing
no spoons
no jigs
nothing that takes any skill.

you can only sit mindlessly next to your bar rod.

Why is it that some people CONSISTANTLY catch more fish on the bar rods than others if there is no skill involved??

[casinoJim]

  Groan... This is what I just hate about the DFO, it seems no matter what their communication is it is never clear enough.

It usually leaves me feeling that I may be correct in my fishing methods but never absolutely clear. The replies to this post is a case in point.

Chris, Rod care to weigh in and verify the facts?

Anyone else?

CJ.

[Rodney]

Until about two years ago, the only management measure used during the Interior coho salmon run-time in the Lower Fraser River is a total salmon fishing closure from in September and part of October, except limited openings on pink salmon during their run years since 2003. The SFACs requested the option of limited fishing opportunities for chinook and chum salmon as a management measure during this period around two years ago and Fisheries and Oceans Canada has provided it. This is particularly good for two user groups. Recreational anglers who lack the mobility and do not wish to travel far can still enjoy a salmon fishery during this period. The opportunity also provides an alternative option for Fraser Valley guides and their clients in case conditions of nearby do not favour their trips.

A bait ban is in effect during this period due to the effectiveness of roe on coho salmon. Coho also have a tendency to swallow roe, which results in deep hooking and a possible increase of mortality rate. This would counter the effort in conserving the Interior coho salmon run.

Anglers are requested to use fishing methods that would specifically target chinook and chum salmon. We are requested, not limited, because coho salmon can be caught by all methods (barfishing, spincasting with lures). Although this is the case, what all should realize and should not ignore is the fact that the questioned method (bottom bouncing, or whatever you want to call it) has a higher tendency to foul hook fish. Foul hooked fish require longer fighting time, result in longer recovery time and possibly higher mortality rate.

The fortunate yet sad reality is that the protected populations make up an insignificant percentage of all the returning salmon during this management period, therefore the percentage of by-catch is in fact quite small. This does not suggest by-catch in the sportfishing sector is not a problem, because when a species is threatened, any mortality is a concern.

The point is, as an educated angler who is aware of the fragility of Interior coho salmon and late sockeye salmon runs, one should take these into consideration and practice fishing responsibly. Spincasting for coho salmon can actually be good in the tidal portion of the Fraser River around late September and early October, but many choose not to practice catching and releasing them because some of these fish being targeted are the ones that we are attempting to protect. Bait fishing for trout, char and steelhead is in fact not prohibited during this period, but one should not use it as a loop hole to target salmon with roe and claim to be fishing for trout, char and steelhead when being checked by conservation officers.

There are dedicated individuals on the SFACs who have worked hard to provide these additional salmon fishing opportunities for the angling community. It would be unfortunate if people choose to have these taken away by fishing however they prefer that may counter the conservation effort set out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Keep in mind that the goal here is to protect species, not to save fishing opportunities. The status of these species will indirectly impact your fishing opportunities. If their status eventually becomes endangered, then the only management measure would be no fishing for all species.

On a side note, there isn't a need to automatically make pressumption that most anglers would disregard the request and fish unselectively. Most who choose to do it would do it regardless and have to live with their action, so the typical "shaming" technique would only be repetitive and irritating to others who are actually willing to learn. The issue here is not just bottom bouncing, since as mentioned above, you can effectively target coho salmon by other methods if one chooses to. Some choose to bottom bounce or fishing unselectively by other methods because they have not been given all the information, you can assist them by being proactive in education.

Those who choose not to fish selectively regardless, there isn't a need to brag about it and justify it on the discussion forum by suggesting there are bigger threats on these protected populations. Such initiatives would only create a continuous bickering. Changes are made by small steps.

[fishfinder]

It's quite clear actually.  Bottom bouncing is a method that does catch sockeye and coho.  Anglers are "requested" not to use such methods.  Bar fishing with spin and glows (see "bait ban") is not a method normally used to catch sockeye and coho.

Not true. I have caught hundreds of coho on the Fraser using small blue coloured spin and glo (without roe) when bar fishing. It is even more effective than using roe.

[Steelhawk]

Methods aside, does this regulation mean you can still fish for springs from the Harrison boundary sign to Hope until end of this coming Wednesday, or is spring fishing closed at Sept 1 and on? This area is closed for salmon fishing from Thursday (sept 4) on, so is it still ok to target spring in this area? With sockeyes already closed, and coho off limit, the only fish available is springs. So, to say it is closed to salmon fishing from Sept 4, it is really saying springs will be closed too from Sept 4. So to me it means springs are still open until end of Sept 3. Does any one see this differently?

[Athezone]

It would appear that the salmon season ends Steelhawk at the end of this Wed. And yes, salmon season is still open till the end of Sept. 3.

[Athezone]

I should of mentioned only in the area you are speaking of.

[Steelhawk]

Thanks Athezone. The regulation is quite confusing. This link to the Supplement of fresh water synosis seems to point to August 31 as the end of Chinook rentention for the Fraser: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Freshwater/region2_e.htm

But the fishery notice as shown at the top of this thread obviously say chinook fishing is allowed past August 31 in the section between Mission & the sign 3 km above Harrison. It also is quite clear about a salmon closure from the sign 3 km above Harrison to the bridge in Hope from Sept 4 to Oct 6. But it is vague if chinook is open or not in other areas of the Fraser from now to end of Sept 3. My point is, if chinook is closed at the end of August (as mentioned in the supplement), then why need to say closure to salmon fishing as of Sept 4? There is no other fish still allowed to retain except chiinook at this time, so if Chinook is closed as of end of August, why bother to say no fishing for salmon from Sept 4? Unless they mean you can still fish for chinook until end of Sept 3.

Oh well, I will be heading out tommorow, and I hope the CO can explain the regulations better if they think otherwise.

[Rodney]

Actually, based on the two fishery notices (FN0567 and FN0641), there is actually no retention of chinook salmon allowed after September 1st except the retention opportunities listed in FN0641.

FN0567 indicates chinook salmon retention opening until August 31st.

FN0641 indicates chinook salmon retention allowed from September 4th for the area between Mission and Harrison, and no salmon fishing upstream from it.

It is most likely a mistake, but one would be risking it by assuming that it is a mistake if he or she chooses to be out retaining a chinook salmon or two between September 1st and 3rd. I was going to suggest that you print out FN0641 and carry it in case an officer checks you between September 1st and 3rd, but that notice would in fact indicates that you are retaining a chinook salmon illegally.