The weather is starting to become nicer and that means fishing trips to the local lakes are becoming more attractive.
Conservation officer Leyland Klassen, from the south coast conservation officer service, said before anglers head out, they should make sure to read the new freshwater angling synopsis and new regulation changes for the qathet area (MU 2-12). These changes take effect April 1.
Klassen said the list of changes are found on page two of the synopsis.
There is a region-wide prohibition on the retention of char (bull trout, dolly varden, or lake trout) under 60 cm.
Klassen said Windsor, Dodd, Ireland, Nanton and Horseshoe lakes require a single barbless hook and the wild trout daily quota is reduced from four to two, with none over 40 cm.
In Khartoum and Lois lakes – the rainbow trout/hatchery steelhead daily quota is increased from two to six. No more than two trout may be wild and no wild trout over 40 cm can be retained, said Klassen. The wild char daily quota is one, and none under 60 cm can be retained.
“This is not an exhaustive list and anglers need to educate themselves before engaging in angling,” said Klassen. “Remember to follow all the rules and regulations found in the BC freshwater fishing synopsis. Tight lines.”
Klassen said all violations should be reported to the RAPP line at 1.877.952.7277.
