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Before you go fishing

Region 6 - Skeena

This information is intended as a supplement to the B.C. Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis. Only freshwater (non-tidal) salmon species information is available here. For all other Region-based information, including other freshwater species, bait bans, gear restrictions, detailed maps, etc., please consult the Synopsis. It is your responsibility to know the regulations.

EXPECT IN-SEASON CHANGES!

During the year, a number of important regulation changes may have to be made in specific waters. These management changes and additional openings and closures are indicated in red on this page. You can also click on Updates on the left bar to see Fishery Notices.

All retained chinook, sockeye, pink, coho, and chum must measure 30 cm or more from tip of nose to tail fork (fork length).
An “adult chinook” in Region 6 (other than Fraser River Watershed) is defined as being over 65 cm measured from the tip of the nose to tail fork.
An adult coho salmon in Region 6 is defined as being greater than 50 cm measured from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail (fork length). “Jack” coho salmon is defined as being a coho between 30-50 cm fork length.

WATERS	SPECIFIC AREA	SPECIES	DATES	LIMITS / GEAR
A. All Region 6 Waters	Any lake or stream or part thereof in Region 6, unless otherwise stated below. Please review sections B, C, D, and E carefully.	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65 cm (1 over 50 cm in Fraser River watershed).
A. All Region 6 Waters		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50cm.
B. Skeena River Watershed- Section "A" applies if stream, specific area, time period, quotas or other species restrictions are not listed in the following sections.
B. Part (i): Skeena River Watershed-Waters upstream of CNR Railway Bridge at Terrace.
All waters in section "B(i)" - Skeena River Watershed upstream of the CNR Railway Bridge at Terrace, unless otherwise stated below		All	Jan 01-Jun 15	No fishing for salmon.
		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for coho.
		Sockeye	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for sockeye.
		Chum	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chum.
Babine Lake	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
	not including tributaries	Sockeye	Aug 1 - Sep 15	2 per day. No fishing for sockeye within a 400 m radial boundary of the following tributaries: Morrison Cr., Pierre Cr., Hazelwood Cr., Four Mile Cr., Six Mile Cr., Pendleton Cr., Twain Cr., Sockeye Cr., Five Mile Cr., Tsezakwa Cr., Tachek Cr., and Big Loon Cr. Barbed hooks are authorized in Babine Lake. Contact your local DFO office for maps of the closed areas.
	within a 400 m radius of the mouth of Pinkut Creek	All	Aug 15-Sep 15	No angling.
Babine River		Chinook	Jun 16-Dec 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65 cm. No fishing for chinook from a point 100 m above Fort Babine bridge to Nichyeskwa Creek.
		Sockeye	Aug 01-Aug 31	2 per day.
		Coho	July 15-Sep 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
Bear River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Bear River	including tributaries	Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for coho.
Bulkley River	all tributaries of the Bulkley River other than the Suskwa River	Chinook	July 25 - Dec 31, 2011	No fishing for chinook. FN0593
	downstream of the Morice River confluence.	Chinook	Jun 16-Dec 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm.
		Pink	Jun 16-Dec 31	2 per day.
		Coho	July 15-Sep 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
Fulton River		Sockeye	Aug 01-Aug 14	2 per day.
Kispiox River (including tributaries)		Chinook	Jun 16-Jul 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm. Monthly quota = 1 over 65cm.
		Chinook	Aug 01-Dec 31	4 per day, none over 65cm.
		Coho	July 15-Sep 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
	downstream of boundary signs near Kispiox River Resort	Pink	Jun 16-Aug 31	2 per day.
Kitseguecla River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Kitwanga River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Morice Lake	including tributaries	All	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for salmon.
Morice River (including tributaries)	from boundary signs located approx. 100 m downstream of Gosnell Creek to Lamprey Creek. This area is open for angling for Chinook salmon only and is closed for angling for all other species.	Chinook	Jun 16-Jul 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm.
	below Lamprey Creek	Chinook	Jun 16-Aug 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65 cm.
		Chinook	Sep 01-Dec 31	No fishing for chinook.
		Coho	July 15-Sep 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
	from Gosnell Creek to Lamprey Creek	Coho	Sep 01-Sep 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. Flyfishing only.
	from the confluence of the Bulkley and Morice Rivers upstream to the Bymac Bridge on Walcott Road	Pink	Jun 16-Aug 31	2 per day.
	upstream of the Bymac Bridge on Walcott Road	Pink	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for pink.
Nilkitkwa Lake		Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Pinkut Creek	downstream of boundary signs located approx. 25 m downstream of fish counting fence	Sockeye	Aug 01-Aug 14	2 per day.
Pinkut Creek		All	Aug 15-Sep 15	No angling.
Shegunia River	between signs located upstream and downstream of logging road bridge	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Skeena River	mainstem waters only, between Cedarvale and the CNR Railway Bridge at Terrace	Chinook	Apr 01-Dec 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65 cm.
	mainstem waters only, upstream of Cedarvale	All	Jan 01-May 31	No fishing for salmon.
	mainstem waters only, upstream of Cedarvale	Chinook	Jun 01-Dec 31	4 per day, 1 over 65cm.
	mainstem waters only.	Pink	Jun 16-Dec 31	2 per day.
	downstream of point above confluence with Babine River to the CNR Railway Bridge at Terrace.	Sockeye	Jun 16-Sep 15	2 per day. 0 per day from a boundary sign on the north bank of the Skeena R., 100 m upstream of the confluence with the Kitwanga R. downstream to Mill Creek.
	mainstem waters within 3 white boundary signs located at the confluence of the Kispiox River with the Skeena River	Chinook	Jun 01-Jul 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm. Monthly limit=1 over 65cm. Adult chinook caught and retained from these waters must be recorded on your licence as having been caught from the Kispiox River.
		Chinook	Aug 01-Dec 31	4 per day, none over 65cm.
	Upstream of the CNR Bridge at Terrace	Coho	July 15-Sep 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
Suskwa (Bear) River		Chinook	Jun 16-Dec 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm.
Sustut River	including tributaries	Chinook	Jun 16-Dec 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm.
Telkwa River	downstream of Howson Creek	Coho	Jul 15-Sep 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
Zymoetz (Copper) River		Chinook	Apr 01-Dec 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm.
Zymoetz (Copper) River	upstream of highway # 16 bridge	Chinook	Jul 23-Dec 31	No fishing for chinook.
B(ii). Skeena River Watershed-Waters downstream of CNR Railway Bridge at Terrace
All waters in section "B(ii)" - Skeena River Watershed downstream of the CNR Railway Bridge at Terrace, unless otherwise stated below		Sockeye	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for sockeye.
		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for coho.
Ecstall River (including tributaries)		Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50cm.
		Chinook	Apr 01-Jul 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm.
		Chinook	Aug 01-Mar 31	4 per day, none over 65cm.
	upstream of signs near confluence with Johnston Creek	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Exchamsiks River (including tributaries)		Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm.
Exchamsiks River (including tributaries)	upstream of Highway # 16 bridge	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Exstew River (including tributaries)		Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm.
Exstew River (including tributaries)	upstream of Highway # 16 bridge	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Gitnadoix River (including tributaries)		Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50cm.
Gitnadoix River (including tributaries)	upstream of powerline crossing near river mouth	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Kasiks River (including tributaries)	downstream of boundary signs located below the Upper Pool	Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm.
Kasiks River (including tributaries)	upstream of Highway # 16 bridge	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Khyex River (including tributaries)	upstream of Highway # 16 bridge	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Kitsumkalum River (including tributaries) Note: The mouth of the Kisumkalum R. is designated by boundary signs located approx. 1.25 km downstream of the CNR bridge and approx. 200 m east of the CNR bridge.		Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm.
	upstream of signs below lower canyon	Chinook	Jan 01-May 24	4 per day, none over 65cm.
	upstream of signs below lower canyon	Chinook	May 25-Dec 31	No fishing for chinook.
	downstream of signs below lower canyon	Chinook	Jan 01-Jun 30	4 per day, none over 65cm.
			Jul 01-Aug 06	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm.
			Aug 07-Dec 31	No fishing for chinook.
	downstream of railway bridge	Pink	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day.
Kitsumkalum Lake	including tributaries	Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50cm.
Kitsumkalum Lake	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Lakelse River (including tributaries)	downstream of the CNR Bridge	Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm.
	below logging road bridge near the mouth	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm.
	above logging road bridge near the mouth	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Redsand Lake	including tributaries	Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50cm.
Redsand Lake	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Scotia River	including tributaries	Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50cm.
Scotia River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Skeena River	mainstem waters downstream of CNR Railway Bridge at Terrace	Coho	July 15-Aug 31	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
		Coho	Sep 01-Nov 30	4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm.
		Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm.
		Sockeye	Apr 01-Sep 16	2 per day.
		Pink	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day.
		Chum	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chum.
	from Lakelse River mouth upstream to the Skeena River Overpass (New Highway Bridge) at Ferry Island	Chinook	Aug 07-Dec 31	No fishing for chinook.
Treston Lake		Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50cm.
Treston Lake		Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Zymagotitz River (including tributaries)		Coho	Sep 01-Oct 31	1 per day.
Zymagotitz River (including tributaries)	upstream of Highway # 16 bridge	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
C. Nass River Watershed- Section "A" applies if stream, specific area, time period, quotas or other species restrictions are not listed in the following sections:
All waters in section "C" - Nass River Watershed unless otherwise stated below		Coho	Jan 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 2 over 50cm.
		Coho	Nov 01- Dec 31	No fishing for coho.
		Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm.
Cranberry River	including tributaries NOTE: the section of river from Cranberry -Kiteen junction to Nass R. is part of the Cranberry R.	Chinook	Jun 16-Jul 31	4 per day only 1 over 65 cm. Monthly Quota = 1 over 65cm.
Iknouk River		Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Kiteen River	including tributaries	Chinook	Jun 16-Jul 31	4 per day only 1 over 65 cm. Monthly Quota = 1 over 65cm.
Meziadin Lake	including tributaries	Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for coho.
	excluding tributaries	Sockeye	Jul 01-Sep 06	2 per day.
	excluding tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Meziadin River	including tributaries	All	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for salmon.
Nass River	portions from the Canyon City Bridge located approximately 5.75 km downstream of the Tseax confluence to the water survey station line crossing approximately 5.78 km upstream of the Tseax confluence.	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	Chinook salmon over 65 cm caught and retained in this portion of the Nass River shall be recorded as being caught in the Tseax River and shall be included in the Tseax monthly quota of one.
		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
	mainstream waters downstream of the confluence with the Meziadin River	Sockeye	Jul 01-Sep 15	2 per day.
	mainstem waters upstream to the confluence with the Meziadin River	Pink	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day.
Oweegee Creek		All	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for salmon.
Oweegee Lake		All	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for salmon.
Tseax River (including tributaries) Note: The mouth at the Tseax R. is designated by boundary signs located where what was formerly known as the Nass Back Channel enters the Nass River.	upstream of Nisga'a Hwy Bridge	All	Aug 01-Dec 31	No fishing for salmon.
	downstream of Nisga'a Hwy Bridge	Coho	Jan 01-Nov 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50cm.
		Chinook	Jul 01-Sep 15	4 per day, only 1 over 65cm. Monthly quota = 1 over 65 cm.
		Chinook	Sep 16-Mar 31	4 per day, none over 65 cm.
Ishkheenickh River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
D. Haida Gwaii Watersheds- Section "A" applies if stream, specific area, time period, quotas or other species restrictions are not listed in the following sections:
All waters in section “D” - Haida Gwaii Watersheds unless otherwise stated below		Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
		Coho	Apr 01- Oct 31	4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm.
		All	Apr 01 - Mar 31	Single, barbless hook in tidal and non-tidal portions of all streams.
Braverman River		Coho	Apr 01- Oct 31	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
Pallant Creek		All	Aug 01-Oct 31	No fishing for salmon.
Pallant Creek	upstream of the bridge located near the mouth	Coho	until Oct 31, 2011	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. FN0813
Sheldens Creek	upstream of boundary signs located at the Spur 19 Bridge site	Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for coho.
Tlell River	Anglers should note that tidal water regulations apply to waters below tidal boundary sign located approx. 1.5km above Hwy. 16 Bridge. Refer to the BC Tidal Waters Sports Fishing section.
Yakoun River	downstream of the 6 mile bridge	Pink	Aug 01-Sep 30	2 per day.
E. Other Mainland Watersheds- Section "A" applies if stream, specific area, time period, quotas or other species restrictions are not listed in the following sections:
All waters in section "E" - Other Mainland Watersheds unless otherwise stated below		Coho	Nov 01-Dec 31	No fishing for coho.
All streams flowing into tidal water Area 5 (see Area 5 map)		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for coho.
		Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
All streams flowing into tidal water Area 6 unless stated below (see Area 6 map)		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	Non-retention of coho.
Bish Creek	including tributaries	Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for coho.
Brim River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Dala River	including tributaries	All	Jan 01-Aug 15	No fishing for salmon.
		All	Oct 01-Dec 31	No fishing for salmon.
		Chinook, Sockeye, Pink, Chum	Aug 16-Sep 30	No fishing for chinook, sockeye, pink, chum.
		Coho	Aug 16-Sep 30	4 per day only 1 over 50 cm.
Endako River		All	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for salmon.
Giltoyees Creek		Coho	Aug 01-Sep 30	4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm.
Illiance River (including tributaries)	upstream of signs located near mouth of river	Coho	Sep 21-Dec 31	No fishing for coho.
Kemano River		Coho	Aug 01-Sep 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
Khutze River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Khutzeymateen River	including tributaries	All	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for salmon.
Kildala River		Coho	Aug 01-Sep 30	4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm.
Kildala River		Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	daily limit of 4 of which 1 may be over 65cm. Monthly quota of 1 over 65cm.
Kiltuish River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Kincolith River	upstream of white triangle boundary signs located at the Kincolith River Bridge	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Kincolith River		Coho	Aug 01-Sep 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
Kitimat River (including tributaries)	on west bank between signs at Kitimat hatchery outfall	All	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for salmon.
	downstream of Highway # 37 bridge	Chinook	Apr 01-July 31	4 per day, only 1 over 65 cm.
		Chinook	Aug 01-Dec 31	No fishing for chinook.
		Coho	Apr 01-Oct 31	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
		Coho	Nov 01-Dec 31	No fishing for coho.
		Chum	Apr 01-Aug 31	2 per day.
		Pink	April 01 - Aug 31	2 per day.
	upstream of Highway # 37 bridge	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
	upstream of Highway # 37 bridge	Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for coho.
Kitlope River		Coho	Aug 01-Sep 30	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
Kitsault River (including tributaries)		Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Kitsault River (including tributaries)	upstream of signs located near mouth of river	Coho	Oct 01-Dec 31	No fishing for coho.
Kloiya River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for Salmon from Aug 1 to Oct 31. No fishing for chinook for the remainder of year.
Kwinimass River (including tributaries)	upstream of lower bridge abutments	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
	downstream of lower bridge abutments	Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm.
		Chinook	Apr 01-Jul 09	4 per day, none over 65 cm.
		Chinook	Jul 10-Dec 31	No fishing for chinook.
Nakina River		Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 65cm.
Nakina River		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 50cm.
Quaal River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Rainy Creek		Chinook	Aug 15-Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Rainy Creek		Coho	Aug 15-Mar 31	No fishing for coho.
Stikine River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 65cm.
Stikine River	including tributaries	Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 50cm.
Swift River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day, only 1 over 65cm. Anglers may fish this river with either a Yukon or B.C. angling licence.
Tahltan River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 65cm.
Taku River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 65cm.
Taku River	including tributaries	Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 50cm.
Tatsamenie Lake's outlet streams	between Tatsamenie L. and Tatsatua Creek	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 65cm.
Tatsamenie Lake's outlet streams	between Tatsamenie L. and Tatsatua Creek	Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	4 per day, only 2 over 50cm.
Tatshenshini River (downstream of the BC/Yukon border)	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day, single barbless hook.
		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day, single barbless hook.
		Sockeye	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day, single barbless hook.
Tatshenshini River (upstream of the BC/Yukon border,) along the Haines Hwy)	Blanchard River	Chinook	Jan 10-Jul 23	2 per day, single barbless hook.
		Chinook	Jul 24-Dec 31	No fishing for chinook.
		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day, single barbless hook.
		Sockeye	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day, single barbless hook.
	Kwatini Creek, Stanley Creek and Goat Creek	Chinook, Coho, Sockeye	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook, coho or sockeye.
	Tatshenshini mainstem and all other tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day, single barbless hook.
		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day, single barbless hook.
		Sockeye	Apr 01 - Mar 31	2 per day, single barbless hook.
Wahoo River	including tributaries	Chinook	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for chinook.
Weeanie River		Coho	Apr 01 - Mar 31	No fishing for coho.
Wilauks Creek (including tributaries)	upstream of signs located near mouth of creek	Coho	Sep 20-Dec 31	No fishing for coho.