Coho Salmon Retention September 2022
DFO has modified the retention regulations for Coho in areas 13, 14, and subareas 15-2 to 15-6 for the month of September 2022. During September, anglers in the above areas can keep two (2) coho per day, of which one may be unmarked (wild). Previously, the daily limit was also two, but both of them had to be hatchery fish — i.e., being “marked” by having had the adipose fin clipped at the hatchery. For the month of September, we can keep one wild coho per day. Starting in October, retention reverts to two (2) coho per day, but both must be hatchery fish. The exception to the reversion is that in subarea 14-11 the daily limit will still allow for one wild coho per day until December 31, 2022. Minimum retention size remains at 30cm.
Coho Salmon Retention as of June 2022
We recently received word from the DFO that as of June 1, 2022 (and carrying through until December 31, 2022), recreational anglers will be allowed to keep two coho per day, hatchery marked only, in most of the areas we fish in.
A hatchery marked fish is one with a healed scar in place of the adipose fin — the adipose fin is clipped at the hatchery when the fish is at the fry stage. Here’s a picture of a mature wild salmon (bottom) and hatchery salmon (top), courtesy of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife:
Chinook Salmon. At the moment, we’re also allowed to keep one Chinook salmon per day in the Bute and Toba Inlets area. Come July 15, we should be back to normal Chinook retention in all of Area 13 (the area closest to Campbell River) and the other areas we fish in.
Lingcod & Rockfish. As of May 1, 2022, recreational anglers are allowed to keep one lingcod (65 cm minimum) and one rockfish per day.
If you want to dig into the regulations, here’s a link to the fishing regulations for Area 13.
Remember that if you want to keep fish, you need to bring a printed copy of your fishing licence on your trip. This year, the licence is two pages — you need both. Follow this link to get your 2022-2023 tidal waters sport fishing licence.