Region 6 - Skeena: Recreational salmon fishing limits, openings and closures
Unless otherwise stated in the table below, the daily limit for all waters in Region 6 is zero (0). In addition:
- No fishing is allowed within 100 meters of any government facility operated for counting, passing or rearing fish.
- The total annual limit for chinook salmon over 50 cm. is 10 from all fresh waters combined.
- You must be aware of these measurements:
- All retained chinook, sockeye, pink, coho, and chum must measure 30 cm or more from tip of nose to tail fork.
- 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).
- A "jack" coho salmon is defined as being a coho between 30-50 cm fork length.
Salmon limits, openings and closures
This table refers to fishing for salmon only. For information on other species please refer to the B.C. Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis.
| Waters | Specific area | Species | Dates | Limits/Gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. All Region 6 waters | All lakes or streams or parts thereof in the aggregate (combined total), in Region 6, unless otherwise stated below. Please review sections B, C, D, E and F carefully. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 65 cm. |
| Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | ||
| Sockeye, Pink & Chum | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye, pink or chum salmon, unless otherwise stated below. | ||
| 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 1 to Jun 15 | No fishing for salmon. | |
| Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
||
| Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for coho | ||
| Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye. | ||
| Chum | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chum. | ||
| Babine Lake | including tributaries | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. |
| Babine Lake excluding tributaries and those waters within a 400 m radius of the following tributary streams: Morrison Creek, Six Mile Creek, Pierre Creek, Pendleton Creek, Hazelwood Creek, Twain Creek, Tachek Creek, Five Mile Creek, Four Mile Creek, Sockeye Creek, Big Loon Creek and Tsezakwa Creek. Also closed east of a line from Gullwing Creek to south shore of Babine Lake. | Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye | |
| within a 400 m radius of the mouth of Pinkut Creek. | All | Aug 15 to Sep 15 | No angling | |
| Babine River | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye | ||
| Coho | Jul 15 to Oct 15 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50cm | ||
| Bear River | including tributaries. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. |
| Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for coho | ||
| Bulkley River | downstream of the Morice River confluence excluding tributaries. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
| Pink | Jun 16 to Dec 31 | 2 per day | ||
| Coho | Jul 15 to Oct 15 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm | ||
| all tributaries of the Bulkley River other than the Suskwa River. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| 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 | All | Jun 16 to Aug 15 | No fishing for salmon | |
| Fulton River | Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye | |
| Kispiox River (including tributaries) | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| Coho | Jul 15 to Oct 15 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50cm | ||
| downstream of fishing boundary signs near Kispiox River Resort. | Pink | Jun 16 to Aug 31 | 2 per day. | |
| Kitseguecla River | including tributaries. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. |
| Kitwanga River | including tributaries. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. |
| Morice Lake | including tributaries. | All | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for salmon |
| Morice River (including tributaries) | from fishing boundary signs posted near the outlet of Morice Lake to Gosnell Creek | All | Jan 1 to Sep 30 | No fishing for salmon |
| from Gosnell Creek to Lamprey Creek, | All | Jan 1 to Aug 31 | No fishing for salmon | |
| from fishing boundary signs located approximately 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 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| below Lamprey Creek. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| Coho | Jul 15 to Oct 15 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm | ||
| from Gosnell Creek to Lamprey Creek. | Coho | Sep 1 to Sep 30 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. Fly-fishing only. | |
| from the confluence of the Bulkley and Morice Rivers upstream to the Bymac Bridge on Walcott Road. | Pink | Jun 16 to Aug 31 | 2 per day. | |
| upstream of the Bymac Bridge on Walcott Road. | Pink | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for pink. | |
| Morice River | 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 | All | Jun 16 to Aug 15 | No fishing for salmon |
| Nilkitkwa Lake | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. | |
| Pinkut Creek | downstream of fishing boundary signs located approx. 25 m downstream of fish counting fence. | All | Aug 15 to Sep 15 | No fishing for salmon. |
| Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye | ||
| Shegunia River | between fishing boundary signs located above and below logging road bridge. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. |
| Skeena River | mainstem waters only, between Cedarvale and the CNR Railway Bridge at Terrace. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
| mainstem waters only, upstream of Cedarvale. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| mainstem waters only, upstream of Cedarvale. | All | Jan 1 - May 31 | No fishing for salmon | |
| mainstem waters only. | Pink | Jun 16 to Dec 31 | 2 per day | |
| from the confluence with the Babine River downstream to the CNR Railway Bridge at Terrace. | Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye | |
| mainstem waters within 3 white triangular fishing boundary signs located at the confluence of the Kispiox River with the Skeena River. | All | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for salmon | |
| mainstem waters near the Kitwanga River mouth, from Mill Creek upstream to the Highway 37 Bridge | All | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for salmon | |
| upstream of the CNR Bridge located at Terrace. | Coho | Jul 15 to Oct 15 | 2 per day, only 1 over 50cm | |
| Suskwa (Bear) River | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| Sustut River | including tributaries. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
| Telkwa River | downstream of Howson Creek. | Coho | Jul 15 to Oct 15 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50cm |
| Zymoetz (Copper) River | Note: section of river from Hwy 16 bridge downstream to Zymotz- Skeena confluence is the Zymotz River. Those waters immediately downstream of the confluence are considered the Skeena River. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
| upstream of Highway #16 bridge. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| 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 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye. | |
| Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for coho. | ||
| Ecstall River (including tributaries) | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | |
| Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
||
| upstream of fishing boundary signs near confluence with Johnston Creek. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. | |
| Exchamsiks River (including tributaries) | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | |
| upstream of Highway #16 bridge. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. | |
| Exstew River (including tributaries) | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | |
| upstream of Hwy #16 bridge. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. | |
| Gitnadoix River (including tributaries) | upstream of powerline crossing near river mouth. | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. |
| Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | ||
| Kasiks River (including tributaries) | upstream of fishing boundary signs located below the Upper Pool. | Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for coho |
| downstream of fishing boundary signs located below the Upper Pool. | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | |
| upstream of Hwy #16 bridge. | Chinook | Apr 01 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. | |
| Khyex River (including tributaries) | upstream of Hwy #16 bridge. | Chinook | Apr 01 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. |
| Kitsumkalum River (including tributaries) Note: The mouth of the Kitsumkalum River is designated by fishing boundary signs located approx. 1.25 km downstream of the CNR bridge and approx. 200 m east of the CNR bridge. | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | |
| upstream of fishing boundary signs below lower canyon. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| downstream of fishing boundary signs below lower canyon. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| downstream of railway bridge. | Pink | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | 2 per day | |
| Kitsumkalum Lake | including tributaries. | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. |
| Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | ||
| Lakelse River (including tributaries) | downstream of the CNR bridge. | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. |
| below logging road bridge near the mouth. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| above logging road bridge near the mouth. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | |
| Redsand Lake | including tributaries. | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. |
| Chinook | Jan 1 to Dec 31 | No fishing for chinook. | ||
| Scotia River | including tributaries | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. |
| Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | ||
| Skeena River | mainstem waters downstream of CNR Railway Bridge at Terrace. | Coho | Jul 15 to Aug 31 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50cm. |
| Coho | Sep 1 to Nov 30 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | ||
| Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
||
| Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye | ||
| Pink | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | 2 per day | ||
| Chum | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chum. | ||
| mainstem waters near the Kitsumkalum River mouth, from the confluence with the Zymagotitz River (also known as Zymachord River) upstream to the Classified Waters boundary at the top of Hell’s Gate. | All | Jul 1 to Aug 31 | No fishing for salmon | |
| Treston Lake | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 2 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | |
| Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | ||
| Zymagotitz River [also known as Zymachord River] (including tributaries) | Coho | Sep 1 to Oct 31 | 1 per day | |
| upstream of Highway #16 bridge | Chinook | Apr 1 to 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 | All | July 16 until further notice | No fishing for salmon FN0692 |
|
| D. Queen Charlotte Islands 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" - Queen Charlotte Islands Watersheds unless otherwise stated below. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. | |
| Coho | Apr 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | ||
| All | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | Single, barbless hook in tidal and non tidal portions of all streams. | ||
| Braverman River | Coho | Apr 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | |
| Pallant Creek | upstream of the bridge located near the mouth of Pallant Creek. | Coho | Apr 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. |
| Sheldens Creek | upstream of white triangular fishing boundary signs located at the Spur 19 Bridge site. | Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | 0 per day |
| 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 Water Sport Fishing Guide. | |||
| Yakoun River | downstream of the 6 mile Bridge. | Pink | Aug 1 to Sep 30 | 2 per day |
| E. Other Mainland Watersheds, except for the Fraser 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 "E" - Other Mainland Watersheds unless otherwise stated below. | Coho | Nov 1 to Dec 31 | No fishing for coho | |
| All streams and lakes flowing into tidal water Areas 3, 4, 5 and 6. | Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
|
| All streams flowing into tidal water Area 5. | Coho | Jan 1 to Dec 31 | No fishing for coho | |
| Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | ||
| All streams flowing into tidal water Area 6 unless stated below. | Coho | Jan 1 to Oct 31 | No retention of coho | |
| Bish Creek | including tributaries. | Coho | Jan 1 to Dec 31 | No fishing for coho |
| Brim River | including tributaries. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook |
| Dala River | including tributaries. | All | Jan 1 to Aug 15 | No fishing for salmon |
| Oct 1 to Dec 31 | No fishing for salmon | |||
| Sockeye, Pink, Chum | Aug 16 to Sep 30 | No fishing for sockeye, pink, chum. | ||
| Coho | Aug 16 to Sep 30 | 4 per day only 1 over 50 cm. | ||
| Endako River | All | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for salmon | |
| Giltoyees Creek | Coho | Aug 1 to Sep 30 | 4 per day only 1 over 50 cm. | |
| Illiance River (including tributaries) | upstream of white triangular fishing boundary signs located near mouth of river. | Coho | Sep 21 to Dec 31 | No fishing for coho |
| Kemano River | Coho | Aug 1 to Sep 30 | 4 per day only 2 over 50 cm. | |
| Khutze | including tributaries. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook |
| Khutzeymateen River | including tributaries. | All | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for salmon |
| Kildala River | Coho | Aug 1 to Sep 30 | 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. | |
| Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | Daily limit of 4 of which 1 may be over 65 cm in length. Monthly quota = 1 over 65 cm | ||
| Kiltuish River | including tributaries | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook |
| Kincolith River | upstream of white triangular fishing boundary signs located at the Kincolith River Bridge. | Coho | Aug 1 to Dec 31 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. |
| Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | ||
| Kitimat River (including tributaries) | All | May 15 to Aug 31 | Bait ban. | |
| on west bank between signs at Kitimat hatchery outfall. | All | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for salmon. | |
| downstream of Highway # 37 bridge. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Jul 31 | 1 per day, 80 cm or less. | |
| Aug 1 to Dec 31 | No fishing for chinook. | |||
| Coho | Apr 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. | ||
| Nov 1 to Dec 31 | No fishing for coho. | |||
| Chum | Apr 1 to Aug 31 | 2 per day. | ||
| Pink | Apr 1 to Aug 31 | 2 per day. | ||
| upstream of Highway # 37 bridge. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. | |
| Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for coho. | ||
| Kitlope River | Coho | Aug 1 to Sep 30 | 4 per day only 2 over 50 cm. | |
| Kitsault River (including tributaries) | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. | |
| upstream of white triangular fishing boundary signs located near mouth of river | Coho | Oct 1 to Dec 31 | No fishing for coho. | |
| Kloiya River | including tributaries. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. |
| Kwinimass River (including tributaries) | upstream of lower bridge abutments. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. |
| downstream of lower bridge abutments. | Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. | |
| Chinook | Jun 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook FN0573 |
||
| Nakina River | Chinook | Jul 20 to Aug 15 | No fishing for chinook. | |
| Coho | Jul 20 to Aug 15 | No fishing for coho. | ||
| Quaal River | including tributaries. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. |
| Rainy Creek | Chinook | Aug 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | |
| Coho | Aug 15 to Mar 31 | No fishing for coho | ||
| Stikine River | including tributaries (See the Tahltan River). | Chinook | Jul 15 to Nov 30 | 2 per day, none over 65 cm |
| Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. | ||
| Swift River | including tributaries. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | 2 per day, only 1 over 65 cm. Anglers may now fish this river with either a Yukon or BC angling licence. |
| Tahltan River | including tributaries. | All | Jun 1 to Aug 31 | Finfish closure |
| Taku River | including tributaries. (see the Nakina River and Tatsatua Creek) | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook |
| Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye | ||
| Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. | ||
| Tatsatua Creek | including tributaries. | All | Aug 20 to Sep 15 | No fishing for salmon |
| Tatshenshini River (downstream of the BC/Yukon border) | All | Jul 24 to Aug 14 | No fishing for salmon | |
| Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | ||
| Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | 2 per day | ||
| Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye | ||
| Tatshenshini River (upstream of the BC/ Yukon border – along the Haines Hwy.) | Blanchard River. | All | Jul 24 to Aug 14 | No fishing for salmon |
| Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | ||
| Coho | Aug 15 to Jul 23 | 2 per day | ||
| Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye | ||
| Kwatini Creek, Stanley Creek and Goat Creek. | All | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for salmon | |
| Tatshenshini mainstem and all other tributaries. | All | Jul 24 to Aug 14 | No fishing for salmon | |
| Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook | ||
| Coho | Aug 15 to Jul 23 | 2 per day. | ||
| Sockeye | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for sockeye. | ||
| Wahoo River | including tributaries. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for chinook. |
| Weeanie River | Coho | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for coho | |
| Whalen Creek | Coho | Apr 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. | |
| Wilauks Creek (including tributaries) | upstream of white triangular fishing boundary signs located near mouth of creek. | Coho | Sep 20 to Dec 31 | No fishing for coho |
| F. Fraser River Watershed - There is no fishing for salmon in the portions of the Fraser River watershed in Region 6. | ||||
- Date modified: