Here’s an update on salmon fishing rules and regulations, including catch limits, that apply to the areas we fish around Campbell River. As always, possession limits are twice the daily limits.
Single Hooks Are Around the Corner
There was an initial Fisheries Notice that talked about requiring single hooks only for salmon. This notice was issued shortly before the July 15 chinook opening, and it caused a bit of an uproar. Anglers and businesses weren’t fully prepared. Likely due to feedback from the community, the DFO issued a new notice FN0723, which implements the rule for single hooks only starting September 1, 2026. Additionally, the gap width of the hook, measured from shank to point, can be no bigger than 22mm. Anglers can use more than one single hook, however. Bottom line: as of September 1st, no more trebles — single hooks only, maximum gap width 22mm.
Chinook Salmon Regulations
Fisheries Notice FN0674 came out on July 8th, and affirmed what has been the norm for our area: anglers can keep one chinook salmon (wild or hatchery) per day from July 15 to August 31, 2026 (minimum 62cm, maximum 80cm in length), and then starting September 1st the daily retention limit goes up to two chinook per day, with no maximum size limit. As always, the annual limit for any one angler is 10 chinook salmon. Bottom line: One chinook per day, maximum 80cm until September 1st, then two chinook per day, no maximum length.
Coho Salmon Regulations
Fisheries Notice FN0479, issued May 13, 2026, set the daily limit on coho to two, hatchery marked only, from June 1 to December 31, 2026. FN0717 then came out on July 15, and modified the previous notice: from September 1 to September 30, the daily limit remains at two coho, one of which may be unmarked (wild). Long story short, for the month of September 2026 you can keep two coho — one hatchery and one wild. Bottom line: two hatchery coho per day, but in September you can keep one wild and one hatchery.
Sockeye Salmon Opening?
Not as of the time of this post, but maybe . . . hearing positive rumours. Let’s hope we get another window like we did last year. Bottom line: cross your fingers.
Lingcod, Rockfish and Halibut
FN0199, issued early in 2026, confirmed that the daily limit for lingcod and rockfish is one of each per day. Annual limit on lingcod is 10, and the minimum size is 65cm. The lingcod and rockfish season is open from May 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026.
Halibut season runs from April 1 to December 31, 2026, coastwide. The annual limit is 10, and the daily limit is one. You can’t keep a halibut unless it’s 112cm or under (head on) or 85cm (pectoral measurement). See FN0198.
