Great News!! The Fraser River will open for Sockeye and Chinook on Tuesday the 7th of August!! It has been a few years since we have seen an opening for these much heralded fish and with the strong numbers returning we are once again blessed to be able to pursue these great fish during this time of year. This is the high in the 4 year life cycle of the Sockeye and we are expecting a bumper crop similar to what we saw in 2014!!
Regulations will be as follows:
- Sockeye: 2 Per Day with a 2 day possession limit
- Chinook: 4 Per Day with only 1 allowed over 50 centimeters. 2 Day Possession Limit
For the official announcement check out the DFO web site here
The Sockeye fishery is very much considered a “harvest” fishery and we feel it should be treated as such. We are encouraging anglers that after they have retained there quota of Sockeye that they then refrain from bottom bouncing further and switch tactics to bar fishing if they wish to continue fishing for their Chinook quota. Continuing to bottom bounce for Chinook typically means catching and releasing sockeye which can stress the fish and may warrant DFO to close the fishery early, especially if the water temperatures rise. We all need to do our part in ensuring that this amazing Sockeye run can spawn in numbers and continue returning for future generations.
**A note on respect and sharing with other user groups on the river:
The river can be a busy one when salmon fishing begins and being respectful and having ethics can easily put the best foot forward so everyone goes home safely after their fishing day. Being sure that you watch for smaller boats and do not wake them as this can easily happen from the wake of a large jet boat. If other user groups are drift fishing or set netting, be sure to give them room and space. First Nations Fisheries are going to happen and most are FSC fisheries at this time. The priority order is as follows and every sport angler should know this – Conservation, First Nations, Commercial and Recreational. Please respect the FSC (Food, Social and Ceremonial Fisheries) they have priority and need to be sure to get their food fish for the season. If you come across any issues or altercations, please call the Police (604.792.4611) and also ORR (observe report and record – DFO line) at 1.800.465.4336.
One other note, give your fellow fishers space and clean up any mess around you. This is where we live and recreate and the world needs to know we want it to look nice. There is no room for garbage along the banks of our rivers and promoting a good fishery for the future is our goal at Great River Fishing.
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