Fresh water fishing restriction gives way to new concern
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The fishing ban may be lifted on the region’s moving waters but there are other considerations swirling around.
The 2 p.m. until midnight closure that came into effect Aug. 2 on Region 4 (Kootenay) waters is repealed — with fishing permitted as outlined in the synopsis — but there are basic licence carry and production requirements in effect.
When fishing, fisherfolk are legally required to produce a fishing licence and government issued photo ID upon request of a conservation officer, who are out “in force” throughout the region during this busy fishing season.
A basic angling licence must be legible and must be either an unmodified paper copy printed on 8.5 x 11 paper, or an unmodified electronic copy on a digital device — a photo on a cell phone, or tablet — when a record for any of the conservation surcharge species is not required.
Conservation surcharge retention records are required for:
- rainbow trout that measures more than 50 centimetres from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail from Kootenay Lake east of a line between fishing boundary signs on opposite shores at Balfour Point and Proctor Lighthouse;
To complete the conservation surcharge retention record, an unmodified, legible physical copy of the licence can be printed on standard size 8.5 x 11 paper.
Creeks of note
The creeks and waters formerly under restriction include: Michel Creek (excluding Alexander Creek and its tributaries); Morrissey Creek; Lizard Creek; Coal Creek; Sand Creek; St. Mary River (downstream of St. Mary Lake); and all streams in MUs 4-3 to 4-9 (other than the mainstems of the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers) including all tributaries.
Note: Single, barbless hooks must be used in all streams of Region 4, all year.
Region 4 daily quotas
- trout/char: five, but not more than one rainbow trout or cutthroat trout over 50 centimetres; two from streams; one bull trout (Dolly Varden) of any size.
- bass: zero quota (closed to fishing).
- burbot: two
- crayfish: 25
- kokanee: 15 (none from streams); no more than five over 30 cm.
- northern pike: zero quota (closed to fishing).
- walleye: zero quota (closed to fishing).
- white sturgeon: zero quota (closed to fishing).
- whitefish: 15 (all species combined).
- yellow perch: zero quota (closed to fishing).
It is illegal to fish for bass, perch, pike or walleye in the Kootenay region (with the exception of certain waters). The measure is part of B.C.’s management approach to illegal fish introductions.
Lake trout
People are asked to report any lake trout caught in the Kootenay region to a ministry office.
“Lake trout are not a native fish species in the Kootenays and could impact other native fish populations if they colonize,” noted the region’s freshwater fishing regulations. “It is unlawful to transplant fish into any waters in B.C.”
