DFO announces more Northwest recreational salmon fishery closures for summer

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has released a number of additional closures for the Recreational Salmon Fishery, with the Skeena and Nass River systems the focus of Wednesday's announcements.

The first closure went into effect yesterday, with salmon in  the Nass River the focus of attention.

1. The Nass River mainstem waters near the Meziadin River confluence, from white triangular fishing boundary signs located downstream of the Meziadin River confluence, and upstream to the Hwy 37 Bridge will be closed to fishing for salmonwill be closed to fishing for salmon. The closure is Effective May 27, 2020 at 00:01 hours to September 15, 2020.

 Recreational fishing for chum salmon will also remain closed in the entire Nass River watershed (Includes tributaries and lakes)..

Five sections in Region 6  Skeena River and its tributaries will see closures in effect as of June 16th through to August 15th.

1. Skeena River mainstem waters near the Kitsumkalum River mouth, from the confluence with the Zymagotitz River (also known as Zymacord River) upstream to the Classified Waters boundary at the top of Hell's Gate. Effective July 1 to Aug 31, 2020.

2. Kitsumkalum River (including lakes and tributaries). Effective July 1 to Aug 31, 2020.

3. Skeena River mainstem waters near the Kitwanga River mouth, from Mill Creek upstream to the Highway 37 Bridge. Effective May 27, 2020 at 00:01 hours until further notice.

4. Skeena River mainstem waters within the three white triangular fishing boundary signs located at the confluence of the Skeena River and Kispiox River. Effective May 27, 2020 at 00:01 hours until further notice.

5. The Bulkley River and Morice River waters within the four white triangular fishing boundary signs located at the confluence of the Bulkley River and Morice River (locally known as "the Forks"). The closure starts 100 meters upstream of the confluence and ends approximately 1 kilometre downstream

Recreational fishing for Chum Salmon will also remain closed for the entire Skeena River Watershed.

DFO has also provided for a General Information statement related to the COVID pandemic, noting that many communities have closed access and services to visitors to help protect their residents. Among the services that have been closed are fuel and provisions.

More on that topic can be reviewed here.

You can review further details on both closures, as well as additional information related to the Coho fishery from the DFO Fishery Notices page here.

Last week DFO outlined closures for the recreational Chinook fishery for the Skeena watershed.

Further items of interest related to both recreational and commercial fishery themes can be found from our archive page.