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[halcyonguitars]

Howdy,

I just want to be sure I understand the regs correctly. I think it says you can keep four hatchery rainbow trout under 50cm. Are rainbow trout likely to be encountered when targeting steelhead?

Thanks...

[SilverChaser]

Yes, quite often. However, it is frowned upon because these rainbow trout are actually juvenile steelhead  catch and release is always fun!

[halcyonguitars]

So, exactly what separates a steelhead from a rainbow trout? The first trip to the sea? How exactly do you tell? Time for some googling...

[clarkii]

Yes, quite often. However, it is frowned upon because these rainbow trout are actually juvenile steelhead  catch and release is always fun!

Honestly I wouldn't worry about it.  If you want to keep a hatchery trout, go for it (coming from a fly guy who catches and releases everything).  It's a meat fishery either way, so it depends if you want to harvest 4 before the ocean or 1 after the ocean.

Besides not all hatchery fish outmigrate.

[halcyonguitars]

Well, if I catch a fish at all I'll just be happy.

[Sandman]

So, exactly what separates a steelhead from a rainbow trout? The first trip to the sea? How exactly do you tell? Time for some googling...

With respect to the regulations, it is size.  Any rainbow trout under 50cm is not considered a steelhead, whereas any rainbow trout over 50cm (in rivers where anadromous trout are found) are considered steelhead, regardless of whether it has actually been to the sea.  I caught one a few weeks back on the lower Vedder section.  It had the dime bright colour of an ocean fresh winter run (hardly any rainbow sheen) but was only 40cm tops. Not a steelhead, technically,  but certainly an ocean run rainbow

[halcyonguitars]

Ok, so I can take home 4 49cm rainbow trout and one 51 cm steelhead...

[bobby b]

Not if you catch the 51cm Steelhead first ....

[hrenya]

so sad that people cant read regs

trout/char 4 but not more than
1 over 50 cm (2 sh hatchery over 50cm allowed)
2 from streams (must be hatchery)
1 char (bt,dv, or lake trout)


how to use synopsis
if your lake or stream does appear in the regional water-specific tables , you must follow
the provincial regs
the regional regs
the water specific regs

how did you count 4 rb+1 sh ?!
according to my math its 3rb/1sh ...

if not sure call dfo office

[typhoon]

If you can only take 2 hatchery trout from streams then that would mean one under 50cm (but over 30cm) and one over 50cm.

[RalphH]

hatchery steelhead juveniles are expected or hoped to move out of the river and downstream within a month of release. The river is closed or c&R from May 1 to June 30th so they get over that period before they become fair game. A high% of those 'hatchery bows' are 'residulized' steelhead who likely won't go out to sea but stay in river and compete with wild trout and salmon which is not desirable.

[clarkii]

so sad that people cant read regs

trout/char 4 but not more than
1 over 50 cm (2 sh hatchery over 50cm allowed)
2 from streams (must be hatchery)
1 char (bt,dv, or lake trout)


how to use synopsis
if your lake or stream does appear in the regional water-specific tables , you must follow
the provincial regs
the regional regs
the water specific regs

how did you count 4 rb+1 sh ?!
according to my math its 3rb/1sh ...

if not sure call dfo office

If you can only take 2 hatchery trout from streams then that would mean one under 50cm (but over 30cm) and one over 50cm.

The Op is just trying to clarify  the chilliwack regs, which happen to differ from the regional regs

[typhoon]

The Op is just trying to clarify  the chilliwack regs, which happen to differ from the regional regs

That was also my point. You have to look at both the provincial and specific waters regulations. The Chilliwack regulation is more specific so it has precedence.

[joshhowat]

make sure you have your steelhead tag too. Even if your not targeting them. It's in the regs also.

[clarkii]

make sure you have your steelhead tag too. Even if your not targeting them. It's in the regs also.

Actually steelhead tag is not required unless you are targeting steelhead or you are fishing certain classified waters during a certain time period.