Regulations
Halibut and salmon regulations are important to IWL Fishing Charters because the health of the fish stocks is important to us. Coastal fishing is regulated through publications from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Some regulations that concern us are:
Holding a licence: A tidal waters sport fishing licence is required to fish, spearfish or net, or to capture any species of finfish or shellfish. Licences must be obtained in person, except that a parent may obtain a licence for a child under age 16, and one may obtain a licence for a spouse. Licences can be obtained online as well.
Licence prices: Prices for licences differ for residents (Canadians) and non-residents:
| Category | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
Adult Annual (16-64 years of age)
|
$22.47 |
$108.07 $ 33.17 $ 20.33 $ 7.49 |
| Senior Annual (65 years of age and over) | $11.77 | $108.07 |
| Salmon Conservation Stamp | $ 6.42 | $ 6.42 |
| Juvenile Annual (Under 16 years of age) | free | free |
For halibut fishing only, you will need at least a 1-day licence ($5.62 for residents, $7.49 for non-residents). For salmon fishing, you will also need a salmon stamp ($6.42 for residents and non-residents) attached to at least a 1-day licence. A salmon stamp is valid for the whole year, so it could be attached to another short term licence that the angler purchases later.
Recording: Retaining a chinook salmon or a ling cod must be recorded immediately in ink on the licence.
Handling gear: It is illegal to tend another sport fisherman's gear unless possessing a licence yourself.
Barbless for salmon: Barbless hooks are required for all Pacific salmon fishing. Barbed hooks can have their barbs squeezed or removed with pliers to become barbless. Halibut hooks can have barbs.
Daily limit: In areas 19, 20, 21, and 121, an angler can catch and retain two halibut per day. A total of four salmon is the daily limit, only two of which can be chinook of 45 cm (18 in) in length (62 cm in area 19). All other salmon species have a size limit of 30 cm (12 in). For example, an angler (on a good fishing day) could catch 2 halibut, 2 chinook salmon, and 2 pink salmon.
Possession limit: In areas 10, 20, 21, and 121, an angler may have in his/her possession two daily limits of Pacific salmon. The possession limit for halibut is three fish.
Fish packing: It is illegal to possess any fish caught in sport fishing that is dressed or packed so that the fish cannot easily be identified, counted or measured, except at your place of ordinary residence. Your ordinary residence is usually your home, not your hotel or camp ground. "Field canning" of any species is not allowed.
Transporting another's catch: To transport another person's sport-caught fish, you must carry a letter from that person with their signature, stating you are authorized to transport the fish. The letter must include: the fisher's name, complete address, telephone number, fishing licence number, location and time of catching the fish, name of recipient, address of recipient, date of receipt.
Downriggers: It is illegal to fish with a weight of more than 1 kg (2.2 lb) except on a downrigger line with a release clip that frees the fishing line when the fish takes the lure.
NOTE: licences can often be purchased from merchants while travelling to a fishing trip...ask the skipper. And licences can be purchased online. At times, merchants run out of licenses, but online always works. The legal packaging of fillets and whole fish can be initiated, and usually completed by the skipper.
Special regulations for species, areas, or dates may conflict with some of the text above. The skipper will know about such special regulations.
©2005
IWL Fishing Charters