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SURREY - Reports of anglers retaining and killing sturgeon, which under fishing regulations are catch and release only, have prompted government to clarify regulations around angling for white sturgeon, wild trout, steelhead and char.
The provincial ministries of Environment and Fisheries confirm that for the tidal waters of the lower Fraser River downstream from the CPR railway bridge at Mission, fisheries regulations do not permit angling of any species except sturgeon. Sturgeon is a catch and release only species - they must be released unharmed.
In the non-tidal waters upstream from the Fraser River from the CPR Railway Bridge at Mission, angling is permitted for species other than salmon. However, wild trout, char, steelhead, and sturgeon are catch and release only.
Anyone violating these regulations is subject to severe penalties under the federal Fisheries Act.
Angling regulations are explained in the 1999-2000 Provincial Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis and the federal BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide. Copies of the regulations are available through the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks Lower Mainland office.
Also note that there is a federal closure of salmon fishing of any kind on the Fraser River, as of August 31, 1999.
Uploaded: 10/2/1999
Uploaded: 10/2/1999