The BC Conservation Officer Service (BCOS) says it will have an increased presence along the Fraser River over the next several days.
A bumper return of millions of sockeye salmon has prompted Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to issue a rare notice opening recreational fishing on a stretch of the river for 11 days, starting Friday, and the BCOS is reminding anglers that there are quotas and rules to follow.
“Non-title angling licences and salmon stamps are required to keep any salmon,” said Conservation Officer Jordan Ferguson.
“Barbless hooks are required when fishing in streams, and fishing is permissible in daylight hours only.”
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Anglers can keep two sockeye per day from a non-tidal stretch of the river from the Mission Bridge upstream to Hope.
You can’t fish for Chinook, coho, or chum salmon, and Ferguson says it is the angler’s responsibility to ensure accurate identification of salmon species for those they are keeping.
“We encourage anglers to familiarize themselves with these regulations before they head out,” he said.
“Printable resources to keep in your tackle box are available on DFO’s website.”
Ferguson says anglers should also be aware that First Nations’ fisheries are also open in the area.
The season will be in effect until Sept. 1.
— With files from The Canadian Press.