Fishery Notice
Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Subject:
FN1120-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Region 1 - Cowichan River - Angling Opportunities - Effective Immediately
As a result of above average returns of Cowichan Chinook, and average to above average expectations for Cowichan Coho, below details the in-season changes to the management measures on the Cowichan River.
Effective immediately, the no fishing order is lifted (allowing for angling with non-retention of salmon) in the following area:
Cowichan River - from 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the white triangle boundary sign located in Sandy Pool Regional Park.
Effective 00:01 hours November 1 to 23:59 hours November 15, the daily limit for Coho Salmon is one (1) per day (hatchery marked or unmarked), in the following area:
Cowichan River - from 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the white triangle boundary sign located in Sandy Pool Regional Park.
Effective 00:01 hours November 16 to 23:59 hours December 31, the daily limit for Coho Salmon is one (1) per day (hatchery marked or unmarked), in the following area:
Cowichan River - from 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the tidal water boundary
Reminder: downstream of the white triangle boundary sign located in Sandy Pool Regional Park, downstream to the tidal water boundary is closed to fishing until 23:59 hours November 15.
Anglers are being requested to provide catch information from the Coho fishery to DFO through the use of a catch card system. Anglers wishing to participate in this fishery can obtain catch cards at the following retailers:
- Bucky's Sport Shop, Duncan
- Gone Fishin', Duncan
- Gord's Fly Box, Lake Cowichan
Anglers can also find cards/drop boxes at the Stoltz Pool Campground and Sandy Pool Park.
Variation Orders: 2021-RFQ-580; 2021-RCT-499
Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.
Anglers are further reminded that intentionally (willfully) foul-hooking fish or attempting to foul hook fish is illegal and that non-compliance may result in closure. Foul hook is defined as: hooking a fish in any part of its body other than the mouth.
Information about finfish closed areas and salmon non-retention areas, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the Internet at:
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
The term "hatchery marked", "marked", or "adipose fin clipped" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.
Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labeling 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 toll free at 1-866-483-9994 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 1-800-465-4336 or by email at
DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1-866-431-FISH (3474).
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Erika Watkins, ECVI Recreational Fisheries Manager,
Erika.Watkins@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Or contact your local DFO office:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/contact/regions/pacific-pacifique-eng.html
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1120
Sent October 21, 2021 at 1524
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the in season opening for the Cow pretty easy to understand as Derby explained its a similar opening as the last few years except after the 15 you will be able to retain all the way to the tidal which is a welcome change that opens up a bunch of water for people to spread out on. Originally I skimmed the notice and just figured it was the same opening we have had the last two years, I was wrong.
If you are asking what the regulations are about the Cowichan please read and learn how to navigate the freshwater synopsis it is pretty easy to understand and takes less then 10 min everyone who is on the river should review it if they are not familiar.