this is where people can mention their dislike for feeder spring fishing.
I agree. Also, dropping the minimum size in Sidney to closer to Victoria/ oak bay would mean less hookups looking for larger fish. I’ve released a lot of 58-60 cm fish that are just too small, but still good eating. If I could keep them I would’ve hooked way less fish than I did searching for 62-65 cm fish.SOMEWHAT UNIQUE TO THE VICTORIA AREA
January and February, in particular, we see a large number of hatchery Winter Springs off the Oak Bay and Victoria Waterfront. Many of these fish do not meet the minimum size limit for the Sidney area.
These fish travel in schools and are easy picking when you find them.
They generally average 3 to 5 pounds with a few larger ones in the mix.
When I see reports of “never seen so many boats” and “took 13 last week” I can’t help but say this is not an efficient use of the resource.
Yes, some will say they are American Hatcher fish, but that’s a poor and careless argument.
In my opinion, if it continues, it will lead to one or more of the following restrictions;
A winter closure for Fishing
An increased size limit for area 19.3 and .4
And or a lowering of the current 20 fish annually for area 19.3 and .4
Please don’t shoot the messenger, it’s only my opinion and I look forward to seeing yours.
I agree. Also, dropping the minimum size in Sidney to closer to Victoria/ oak bay would mean less hookups looking for larger fish. I’ve released a lot of 58-60 cm fish that are just too small, but still good eating. If I could keep them I would’ve hooked way less fish than I did searching for 62-65 cm fish.
Totally. I don’t know those regs, but I follow lower Vancouver island.Why stop at Sidney, Vancouver winter fishery is the same.
DaveIt would go a long way for angler public relations if they, the anglers, suggested this fishery be shut down.
Perfectly stated.It’s a tough question. Is it better to kill large spawning salmon than feeder Springs? If guys are letting the larger fish go in the summer because they’d rather have a smaller fresh fish later in the year(or because Area finfish closures reduced opportunity), is that wrong? The same annual limit applies whether you are fishing brood stock and maxing out in the summer or using you annual limit on smaller winter springs. In fact if your fishing just the Sidney area, not only is your minimum keeper fish size 30% larger, but your annual limit is 25% lower!Which has the bigger impact? Maybe the 62cm, 15 fish annual limit should be coastwide?
If DFO is so worried about people catching a dozen fish to get a 62 cm keeper in the Sidney area ( personally I am), why not lower the limit to 45 cm as is the case in Sooke and Victoria? Also I’d be interesting to know how many summer Spring fishers keep 45 cm legal fish or in fact any small fish when the Large fish are about? Comparatively speaking there a hell of a lot more fishers fishing,and consequently more sorting going on in the summer. Winter fishing is pretty minor compared to summer fishing.
Every year I see constant posts on the sorting through of Coho, I find this equally appalling. Not sure how to regulate the sorting issue other than guys taking it upon themselves to pack in fishing if the area is not producing legal fish. I’m reluctant to lecture anyone without knowing their circumstances, they are fishing legally and not taking over their annual limit, so all we know for sure is they didn’t limit out on salmon during the rest of the year!
Dave
With all due respect, this sounds like a half-baked solution that will just provide more food for the seals. I spent half a day fishing in the Van harbor last week and I counted seals in double digits, two of them with fish in their mouth and I'm not going to talk about the in-river gill net issues that has brought a few species to extinction. So, what is this going to give back to the fishery if other impacting parameters are not going to change?
If it's just to buy positive PR feedback in light of the SKRW circus, then that's a different story.
wow.. with everything that is currently going on with our fishery's.... lets close another fishery