Regulations

Freshwater Salmon Fishing

Your Basic Freshwater Licence must be validated with a salmon conservation stamp to keep a salmon of any legal size or species (other than kokanee) from non-tidal waters. A stamp is not required if you intend to release all salmon caught. You must record your catch of adult chinook salmon on the back of your basic angling licence.

Freshwater Salmon Regulations

The management of salmon fisheries in BC, in both tidal and freshwater, is the responsibility of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Unlike previous years, DFO's regulations for salmon fishing in freshwater are not included in this Synopsis. This year, for conservation and fisheries management reasons, this information will be published by DFO in a supplement to this Synopsis, which will be available where you purchase your licence, or at any DFO office.

Barbless hooks are required for salmon fishing in all freshwater, as well as all tidal waters in BC

Please note that when freshwaters are closed to fishing or have gear restrictions outlined in this Synopsis, these regulations apply to salmon as well as to non-salmon species.

For information on all the salmon regulations, please contact:

• Your nearest DFO office (listed by Region in this Synopsis),
• The Office of the Chief of Recreational Fisheries, DFO: (604) 666-3271 (Vancouver),
• DFO's North Coast Recreational Fisheries Co-ordinator: (250) 627-3409 (Prince Rupert),
• DFO's South Coast Recreational Fisheries Coordinator: (250) 756-7152 (Nanaimo),
• DFO's Fraser River Recreational Fisheries Coordinator: (604) 666-8266 (New Westminster), or
• DFO's Sport Fishing Salmon Information Line (recorded message): (604) 666-2828
• DFO's Interior Recreational Fisheries Coordinator: (250) 851-4950 (Kamloops).

Updated freshwater salmon regulations are listed in the Freshwater Salmon Supplement. as well as information on salmon identification and packaging salmon for transport.