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BC tidal area 13 - Campbell River and Cortes, Sonora, Quadra Islands: Recreational fishing limits, openings and closures

Licence holders must follow fishing regulations unless otherwise specified in the Conditions of Licence.

How to follow the rules

  1. Make sure you have a current BC Tidal Waters sport fishing licence with you at all times. Are you using the FishingBC App for electronic licensing and catch recording? Learn more.
  2. Check the Area map. You need to know the location (subarea) where you plan to fish.
  3. Check the species regulations tables for fishing opportunities and basic regulations.
  4. Check the restrictions tables for special exceptions and more detailed regulations. Make sure you know the:
    • (d) Daily limit: The maximum number of a given fish species that a person is allowed to keep in one day.
    • (p) Daily possession limit: The maximum number of fish you can have in your possession at any given time, except for what is at your ordinary residence. The possession limit for most species is double the daily limit.
    • (a) Annual limit: The total amount of fish of a certain species that may be caught and retained during the course of a fishing year which starts on April 1 and ends the following March 31. Check "Restrictions" under each section for annual limits by species.
  5. Get to know the locations of protected areas. Permanent fishing restrictions are in effect in these areas to protect fish and fish habitat.
  6. Unless otherwise specified, fishing opportunities and closures end at 23:59 hrs on the close-date shown.

Related links

Area map

Area maps

This map is for information only and should not be used for fishing, navigation or other purposes.

Read the full disclaimer

For a written description of Areas please see the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations 2007.

Area 13: Download a printable PDF version of this map.

Management area 13
Salmon

Salmon

Species regulations

Species Areas Min size Gear Daily Limits Status
Chinook salmon (hatchery and wild combined) 13-1 to 13-20 and 13-22 to 13-43 62cm barbless hook and line 0 Non Retention
13-21 62cm barbless hook and line 1 Combined Total
* Consisting of no more than:
  • 1 - Hatchery - marked
  • 1 - Wild - unmarked 80cm or less
  • 0 - Wild - unmarked over 80cm
Open
Chum salmon 13 30cm barbless hook and line 0 Non Retention
Coho salmon (hatchery and wild combined) 13 30cm barbless hook and line 0 Non Retention
Pink salmon 13 30cm barbless hook and line 4 Open
Sockeye salmon 13 30cm barbless hook and line 0 Non Retention

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Finfish Discovery Passage Closed spear fishing while diving (year round )
Phillips Arm Closed any gear or method (year round )
Salmon Coastwide Daily Limit Pieces 4 - The daily limit for all species of Pacific salmon from tidal and fresh waters combined is four. Individual species limits also apply.
13 Gear Restriction You are not allowed to harvest using the following gears and methods:
  • barbed hook (year round )
Coastwide Reminder Hatchery (marked) salmon - Chinook and coho salmon with a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.
Chinook salmon (hatchery and wild combined) Bute Inlet Chinook Daily Limit Pieces 1 Combined Total
* Consisting of no more than:
  • 1 - Hatchery - marked
  • 1 - Wild - unmarked 80cm or less
  • 0 - Wild - unmarked over 80cm
Coastwide Annual Limit Pieces 10 - The coastwide total annual limit for chinook salmon is 10 from all tidal waters that are open to chinook retention.
Coastwide Reminder Keeping your chinook salmon? You must permanently record all retained catch (head-on length) on your Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. The licence holder may alternatively record retained catch immediately in an electronic licence held in an approved third-party application linked to their National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) account, or if mobile internet access is immediately available, directly in their NRLS account. The licence holder shall ensure that all mandatory catch records for the current licence year are produced, either on the licence (paper or electronic), or from the licence holder's NRLS account at the time of inspection.

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Bute Inlet Chinook Bute Inlet Chinook Subarea 13-21 and that portion of Subarea 13-19 northerly of a line that runs from 50°19.584'N, 125°00.292'W (on Raza Island) to 50°19.9463'N, 125°01.9274'W (southeast of Frances Bay).
Coastwide
Discovery Passage In Area 13, those waters of Discovery Passage and Campbell River inside of a line starting at the fishing boundary sign at Orange Point located at 50°04.392'N by 125°16.608'W, then northeasterly to a point in the middle of the channel located at 50°04.392'N by 125°15.510'W, then southeasterly to a point located at 50°00.507'N by 125°12.859'W, then southwesterly to the fishing boundary sign on the southern end of Hidden Harbour breakwater located at 50°00.504'N by125°13.945'W.
Phillips Arm Subarea 13-24 [The waters of Phillips Arm northerly of a line from Hewitt Point north easterly to Shirley Creek on the opposite shore].

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Other finfish

Finfish other than salmon

Species regulations

Species Areas Min size Gear Daily Limits Status
Codfish 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 8 Open
Eulachon 13 0 Closed
Finfish - all other species 13 angling, dip net, herring jig, herring rake, spear fishing while diving 20 Open
Greenling 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 3 Open
Halibut 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 1 Open
Herring 13 cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake 20kg Open
Lingcod 13 65cm angling, spear fishing while diving 1 Open
Mackerel 13 angling, dip net, herring jig, spear fishing while diving 100 Open
Northern Anchovy 13 cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake 20kg Open
Pacific sand lance 13 cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake 5kg Open
Pacific sardine 13 angling, dip net, herring jig, spear fishing while diving 100 Open
Rockfish - Yelloweye 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 0 Non Retention
Rockfish - all species except Yelloweye 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 1 Open
Sablefish 13 angling 4 Open
Sculpin 13 angling 8 Open
Shark - Basking 13 0 Closed
Shark - Blue 13 0 Closed
Shark - Brown Cat 13 0 Closed
Shark - Great White 13 0 Closed
Shark - Salmon 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 1 Open
Shark - Sixgill 13 0 Closed
Shark - Tope 13 0 Closed
Shark - all other species 13 0 Closed
Skate 13 angling 1 Open
Smelt 13 dip net, gill net 20kg Open
Sole or Flounder 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 8 Open
Spiny Dogfish 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 4 Open
Surfperch 13 angling 8 Open
Tuna - Albacore 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 20 Open
Tuna - Bluefin 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 20 Open
Tuna - all other species 13 angling, spear fishing while diving 20 Open
White Sturgeon 13 angling 0 Non Retention
Wolf Eel 13 angling 0 Non Retention

Species Areas Min size Gear Daily Limits Status
Trout (hatchery and wild combined) 13 30cm angling 2 Combined Total
* Consisting of no more than:
  • 2 - Hatchery - marked
  • 0 - Wild - unmarked
Open

Last updated: 2025-05-16

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Finfish Discovery Passage Closed spear fishing while diving (year round )
Phillips Arm Closed any gear or method (year round )
Finfish - all other species Discovery Passage Closed spear fishing while diving (year round )
Herring Coastwide Reminder Harvesting of herring roe from marine plants or plants placed in the water for the purpose of harvesting herring roe is prohibited.
Eulachon Coastwide Closed Due to conservation concerns the harvesting of eulachon is prohibited.
Codfish Discovery Passage Closed spear fishing while diving (year round )
Coastwide Reminder Species includes - Pacific cod, Pacific tomcod, pollock and hake but does not include lingcod.
Greenling Discovery Passage Closed spear fishing while diving (year round )
Halibut Discovery Passage Closed spear fishing while diving (year round )
Coastwide Annual Limit Pieces 10 - The coastwide total annual limit for halibut is 10 from all tidal waters that are open to halibut retention.
Coastwide Maximum Length Head On (cm) 102 - The maximum overall length for halibut is 102 cm head-on, or 78 cm head-off.
Coastwide Reminder As a Condition of Licence, the possession limit is one (1) halibut. No person shall retain a halibut greater than 102 cm head-on length (78 cm head-off). Head-off measurements are made from the base of the pectoral fin at its most forward point to the extreme end of the middle of the tail.
Coastwide Reminder You must permanently record all retained catch (head-on length) on your Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. The licence holder may alternatively record retained catch immediately in an electronic licence held in an approved third-party application linked to their National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) account, or if mobile internet access is immediately available, directly in their NRLS account. The licence holder shall ensure that all mandatory catch records for the current licence year are produced, either on the licence (paper or electronic), or from the licence holder's NRLS account at the time of inspection.
Lingcod Discovery Passage Closed spear fishing while diving (year round )
13 Annual Limit Pieces 10 - The total annual limit for lingcod is 10 from the following tidal areas when they are open to lingcod retention - Areas 12 to 19 (excluding Subarea 12-14), Subareas 20-5 to 20-7, and 29-5.
13 Reminder Lingcod - Fillets, including the tail, must meet the minimum "head off" size limit of 53 cm (21 in).
13 Reminder Areas 12 to 19 (excluding Subarea 12-14), Subareas 20-5 to 20-7, and 29-5 - You must permanently record all retained catch on your Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. The licence holder may alternatively record retained catch immediately in an electronic licence held in an approved third-party application linked to their National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) account, or if mobile internet access is immediately available, directly in their NRLS account. The licence holder shall ensure that all mandatory catch records for the current licence year are produced, either on the licence (paper or electronic), or from the licence holder's NRLS account at the time of inspection.
Coastwide Season Planning For planning purposes only: For in-season requirements, please see current regulations/restrictions for specific areas, gear and individual species limits, and closures/exceptions. INSIDE WATERS - Generally open May 1 to September 30, for Areas 13 to 19 and Subareas 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5. Closed year round - Area 28 and Subareas 29-1 to 29-4 and 29-6 to 29-17. OUTSIDE WATERS - Generally open April 1 to November 15, for Areas 1 to 10, 101 to 110, 130, 142, 11, 21 to 27, 111, 123 to 127, Subareas 12-14 and 20-1 to 20-4, and Area 121 (portion).
Perch Coastwide Reminder Includes kelp, shiner and pile perch, and all species of surf and sea perch.
Rockfish Coastwide Reminder Anglers in vessels shall immediately return all rockfish that are not being retained to the water and to a similar depth from which they were caught by use of an inverted weighted barbless hook or other purpose-built descender device.
Coastwide Season Planning For planning purposes only: For in-season requirements, please see current regulations/restrictions for specific areas, gear and individual species limits, and closures/exceptions. INSIDE WATERS - Generally open May 1 to September 30, for Areas 13 to 19 and Subareas 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5. Closed year round - Area 28 and Subareas 29-1 to 29-4 and 29-6 to 29-17. OUTSIDE WATERS - Generally Open April 1 to November 15, for Areas 1 to 10, 101 to 110, 130, 142, 11, 21 to 27, 111, 123 to 127, Subareas 12-14 and 20-1 to 20-4, and Area 121 (portion).
Sculpin Coastwide Reminder Cabezon is a species of sculpin; for daily and possession limits, please see the species regulations table above for sculpin.
Sole or Flounder Discovery Passage Closed spear fishing while diving (year round )
Trout (hatchery and wild combined) Coastwide Reminder Note: (1) Trout - means Brook trout, Brown trout, Cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, Lake trout, Rainbow trout, Steelhead, and includes Bull trout. (2) Steelhead - in waters where anadromous Rainbow trout are found, Steelhead means a Rainbow trout that is greater than 50cm in overall length. (3) Anadromous means migrating from the sea up rivers or streams to spawn.

Last updated: 2025-05-16

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Coastwide
Discovery Passage In Area 13, those waters of Discovery Passage and Campbell River inside of a line starting at the fishing boundary sign at Orange Point located at 50°04.392'N by 125°16.608'W, then northeasterly to a point in the middle of the channel located at 50°04.392'N by 125°15.510'W, then southeasterly to a point located at 50°00.507'N by 125°12.859'W, then southwesterly to the fishing boundary sign on the southern end of Hidden Harbour breakwater located at 50°00.504'N by125°13.945'W.
Phillips Arm Subarea 13-24 [The waters of Phillips Arm northerly of a line from Hewitt Point north easterly to Shirley Creek on the opposite shore].

Last updated: 2025-05-16

Bivalve shellfish and snails

Bivalve shellfish and snails

Eating contaminated shellfish can be life threatening. Closures change frequently throughout the year. It is illegal to harvest shellfish from closed or contaminated areas.

Bivalve shellfish have 2 hinged shells. Because they feed by filtering microscopic plankton from the water, changes in water quality can cause unsafe marine biotoxins, bacteria, or viruses to build up in their tissue.

Snails refers to all snails, whelks, tritons and periwinkles with the exception of Moon Snails. Snails and moon snails can accumulate toxins and pollutants. We recommend that they not be harvested from areas shown as closed in the table below.

Learn more about shellfish harvesting.

How to follow the rules

  1. Check for contamination in the subarea where you plan to harvest. You can also see this in a map format by using our our real-time bivalve shellfish safety harvesting map.
  2. If no contamination closures are in effect, check species regulations and additional harvest restrictions.
  3. You are not allowed to harvest within the boundaries of an aquaculture facility. See our interactive map for currently licensed bivalve aquaculture facility locations or, where available, refer to signs and markers on the beach.
  4. Littleneck, Manila and butter clams are subject to a minimum size limit. See below under restrictions for more information on clam size limits.
  5. Questions? Email us at DFO.PACCSSP-PCAMPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Bivalve shellfish contamination closures

Planned bivalve shellfish harvesting closures

Look at the first column below to see which species are safe to harvest. If there is information in the second column, it is illegal and unsafe to harvest any bivalve species in those areas.

Subarea Marine biotoxin update (open bivalve species) Sanitary contamination closures (closed to shellfish harvesting)
13-1 Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific;Scallop - Pink;Scallop - Spiny
13-2 Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific;Scallop - Pink;Scallop - Spiny
13-3 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-4 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-5 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-6 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-7 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-8 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-9 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-10 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-11 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-12 Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific;Scallop - other;Scallop - Pacific;Scallop - Pink;Scallop - Spiny
13-13 Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific
13-14 Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific
13-15 Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific;Scallop - other;Scallop - Pacific;Scallop - Pink;Scallop - Spiny
13-16 Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific
13-17 Clam - Littleneck;Clam - Manila;Mussels - all species combined;Oyster - Pacific
13-18 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-19 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-20 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-21 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-22 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-23 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-24 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-25 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-26 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-27 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-28 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-29 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-30 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-31 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-32 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-33 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-34 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-35 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-36 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-37 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-38 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-39 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-40 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-41 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-42 Closed to All Bivalve Species
13-43 Closed to All Bivalve Species

Last updated: 2025-05-07

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Gear Daily Limits
Clam - Butter 13 hand digging, hand picking 20
Clam - Horse 13 hand digging, hand picking 6
Clam - Littleneck 13 hand digging 60
Clam - Manila 13 hand digging 60
Clam - Razor 13 hand digging 12
Clam - Softshell 13 hand digging 25
Clam - Varnish 13 hand digging 60
Clam - all species combined 13 hand digging, hand picking 60
Cockles 13 hand digging, hand picking 25
Geoduck 13 hand digging, hand picking 3
Mussel - Blue 13 hand picking 75
Mussel - California 13 hand picking 25
Mussels - all species combined 13 hand picking 75
Oyster - Olympia 13 0
Oyster - all species except Olympia 13 hand picking 12
Scallop - Pink and Spiny 13 hand picking, hand picking while diving 75
Scallop - Purple-hinged rock 13 hand picking, hand picking while diving 6
Scallop - Weathervane 13 hand picking, hand picking while diving 6
Scallop - Weathervane and Purple-hinged rock combined 13 hand picking, hand picking while diving 6
Snail - Moon 13 hand picking 2
Snail - other 13 hand picking 75
Whelks 13 hand picking 75

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Bivalve Species Coastwide Reminder Because of the risk of contamination, you are not allowed to harvest bivalve shellfish (for any purpose) within: (1) 300 metres around industrial, municipal and sewage treatment plant outfall discharges (2) 125 metres around a marina, ferry wharf, floating living accommodation, or any finfish net pen (exceptions described as follows) (3) 25 meters around any floating living accommodation facility located within a shellfish aquaculture tenure where a zero-discharge and appropriate waste management plan is a condition of the Aquaculture Licence and is approved by the Regional Interdepartmental Committee (4) 0 meters of any finfish net pen within an aquaculture tenure where an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Management Plan approved by the Regional Interdepartmental Committee is in operation.
Coastwide Reminder Only aquaculture operators are allowed to harvest within the boundaries of licenced aquaculture facilities. Please be aware of the location of aquaculture facilities in the areas close to where you are intending to harvest.
Coastwide Reminder Clams - No person shall retain a Manila Clam or Littleneck Clam smaller than 35 mm, nor a Butter Clam smaller than 55 mm.
Clam - Butter Mitlenatch Island Closed hand digging (year round ), picking (year round )
Clam - Horse Mitlenatch Island Closed hand digging (year round ), picking (year round )
Clam - Littleneck Mitlenatch Island Closed hand digging (year round ), picking (year round )
Clam - Manila Mitlenatch Island Closed hand digging (year round ), picking (year round )
Clam - Razor Mitlenatch Island Closed hand digging (year round ), picking (year round )
Clam - Softshell Mitlenatch Island Closed hand digging (year round ), picking (year round )
Clam - Varnish Mitlenatch Island Closed hand digging (year round ), picking (year round )
Clam - all species combined Mitlenatch Island Closed hand digging (year round ), picking (year round )
Coastwide Daily Limit Pieces 60 - When open, all species aggregate daily limit combined Areas 1 to 27 is 60, except Pacific Rim National Park where the all-species aggregate limit is 24.
13 Reminder Clam harvesters are encouraged to fill in holes to reduce predation on exposed juvenile clams.
13 Reminder It is illegal to use any mechanical apparatus or dredge for harvesting clams.
Cockles Mitlenatch Island Closed hand digging (year round ), picking (year round )
Geoduck Mitlenatch Island Closed hand digging (year round ), picking (year round )
Mussels - all species combined 13 Reminder Combined daily limit for all mussel species is 75.
Oyster - Olympia Mitlenatch Island Closed hand picking (year round )
Oyster - all species except Olympia Mitlenatch Island Closed hand picking (year round )
13 Packaging and Transporting Avoid transfer of green crab - Harvesters are encouraged to shuck oysters on the beach and leave the shells there, or return oyster shells to the beach from where you collected them whenever possible. In order to avoid the transfer of European green crab, please dispose of any oyster shell harvested from the west coast of Vancouver Island back to the beach from where it came or with your household garbage. Consult your local DFO Office. You will need permission to harvest oysters from marked oyster farms.
Coastwide Reminder To avoid inadvertently harvesting Olympia oysters while you are harvesting Pacific oysters, do not harvest any oyster less than 5 cm in diameter.
Snail - Moon 13 Reminder Moon snails may be subject to PSP, check for closures. Consult your local DFO office for details.
Scallop - Purple-hinged rock Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Scallop - Pink and Spiny Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Scallop - Weathervane Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area descriptions

Closure Map Area description
13.10 Whaletown Bay, Cortez Island 13.10.png The waters and intertidal foreshore at the head of Whaletown Bay, Cortes Island lying east of a line drawn from a point of land on the north shore located at 50°06.59' north latitude and 125°02.90' west longitude thence southerly to a point of land on the opposite shore located at 50°06.55' north latitude and 125°02.90' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.11 Coulter Bay, Cortez Island 13.11.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Coulter Bay, Cortes Island, lying inside a line drawn from the northeastern point of the unnamed island in the bay due east to the nearest point of land and from the northwestern side of the unnamed island southwest to the nearest point of land. [NAD83]
13.12 Phillips Arm 13.12.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Phillips Arm, inside a line drawn from Bullveke Point on the western shore of Phillips Arm, thence southeasterly to Richard Point on the eastern shore of Phillips Arm. [NAD83]
13.14 Gray Creek, Loughborough Inlet 13.14.png The waters and intertidal foreshore around Gray Creek, Loughbourough Inlet, lying inside a line north of Gray Creek drawn from 50°32.45' north latitude and 125°31.80' west longitude thence southerly to the east end of a small islet at 50°32.21' north latitude and 125°32.05' west longitude thence easterly to a point on land at 50°32.02' north latitude and 125°31.90' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.15 Bessborough Bay 13.15.jpeg The waters and intertidal foreshore of a small bay at the north end of Bessborough Bay lying inside a line drawn from the north of the entrance of the bay at 50º29.42' north latitude and 125º46.64' west longitude and thence southeasterly to a point on land at 50º29.25' north latitude and 125º46.42' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.16 Jackson Bay, Topaze Harbour 13.16.png The intertidal foreshore of Jackson Bay, in northwestern Topaze Harbour between Neale Point and Molesworth Point. [NAD83]
13.17 Topaze Harbour Head 13.17.png All of the intertidal foreshore of the easternmost head of Topaze Harbour between Haswell Point and a point on land easterly of Hill Pont at 50°31.10' north latitude and 125°44.35' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.19 Granite Bay 13.19.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of eastern Granite Bay, Quadra Island east of a line drawn from a point of land west of a private dock at 50°14.42' north latitude and 125°18.68' west longitude, thence in a true north direction to a point on land on the opposite shore at 50°14.50' north latitude and 125°18.68' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.2 Heriot Bay, Quadra Island 13.2.png Those portions of Subarea 13-13 in Heriot Bay, lying inside a line drawn from a point on land at 50°06.396' north latitude and 125°13.144' west longitude, thence northeast to a point of land at 50°06.521' north latitude and 125°12.895' west longitude, thence southeast to a point in the water at 50°06.282' north latitude and 125°12.296' west longitude, thence southwest to a point on land at 50°06.226' north latitude and 125°12.446' west longitude, thence northwesterly to the point of commencement. [NAD 83]
13.20 Gorge Harbour 13.20.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of an unnamed cove in eastern Gorge Harbour, Cortes Island, south of a line drawn from a point on land at 50°05.75' north latitude and 124°58.95' west longitude, thence in a straight line northwesterly to the most northerly point of land on the opposite shore at 50°05.80' north latitude and 124°59.05' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.23 Church House, Calm Channel 13.23.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of the unnamed cove fronting the Church House Indian Reserve located on Calm Channel, east of a line drawn from the unnamed point of land at 50°20.12' north latitude and 125°04.71' west longitude, thence in a southerly direction to a point of land at the log dump at 50°19.91' north latitude and 125°04.66' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.24 A portion of Discovery Passage 13.24.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Discovery Passage south of a line drawn between a point of land on Vancouver Island at 50°06.896' north latitude and 125°20.593' west longitude, thence northeasterly to a point on land on Quadra Island at 50°07.697' north latitude and 125°18.561' west longitude, and north of a line from a point on land on Vancouver Island at 49°58.673' north latitude and 125°13.246' west longitude, thence northeasterly to a point on land on Quadra Island at 49°59.692' north latitude and 125°11.183' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.25 Hemming Bay, land file #1403484 13.25.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Hemming Bay, on East Thurlow Island, within a distance of 125 meters from the outer perimeter of the floating living accommodation located at or near 50°23.70' north latitude and 125°22.36' west longitude, within aquaculture tenure land file #1403484. [NAD83]
13.27 Southwest Gorge Harbour, Cortes Island 13.27.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of southwest Gorge Harbour, Cortes Island lying southwest of a line drawn from a point on land at the northern edge of a shoal at 50°05.73' north latitude and 125°01.50' west longitude, thence southeasterly to a point on land at the eastern end of a shoal at 50°05.58' north latitude and 125°01.31' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.28 Whaletown Bay, Cortes Island 13.28.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Whaletown Bay east of a line drawn from a point on land on Cortes Island at 50°06.567' north latitude and 125°03.377' west longitude southeasterly to a point on land at 50°06.409' north latitude and 125°03.175' west longitude, and west of a line drawn from a point on land at 50°06.528' north latitude and 125°02.957' west longitude northwesterly to a point on land at 50°06.633' north latitude and 125°03.115' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.3 A portion of Discovery Passage to Kuhushan Point 13.3.png The intertidal foreshore of southern Discovery Passage, from the southern Campbell River Harbour limit, located at 49°59.69' north latitude and 125°13.71' west longitude, thence southeasterly to the spit located west of Kuhushan Point at 49°53.92' north latitude and 125°09.11' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.30 Open Bay, Quadra Island 13.30.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of the southwestern head of Open Bay, Quadra Island, lying northwest inside of a line drawn from a point of land at 50°08.013' north latitude and 125°12.863' west longitude, thence northeasterly to a point of land at 50°08.241' north latitude and 125°12.724' west longitude. [NAD83]
13.6 Big Bay, Stuart Island 13.6.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Big Bay, Stuart Island lying inside a straight line drawn from Hesler Point to Whirlpool Point. [NAD83]
13.7 Kelsey Bay and Salmon Bay 13.7.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Kelsey Bay and Salmon Bay lying inside a straight line drawn from the northern headland of Brasseau Bay through the Peterson Islet navigation beacon to a point on Vancouver Island. [NAD83]
13.8 Grassy Creek, Loughborough Inlet 13.8.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Loughborough Inlet lying inside a line drawn between the two headlands of the unnamed bay at the mouth of Grassy Creek. [NAD83]
13.9 Forward Harbour 13.9.png All of the intertidal foreshore of the head of Forward Harbour between a point on land east of Blanche Point at 50°29.45' north latitude and 125°42.45' west longitude and a point on land east of Cust Point at 50°29.12' north latitude and 125°42.10' west longitude. [NAD83]

Last updated: 2025-05-07

Area Map Area description
Coastwide
Discovery Passage/Campbell River Area 13: The waters of Discovery Passage, in the Campbell River area, bounded by a straight line from North Bluff on Quadra Island, across Seymour Narrows to a fishing boundary sign on Vancouver Island, and to the south by a line from the light on the end of the south Government Dock breakwater at Campbell River to Cape Mudge lighthouse.
Mitlenatch Island Those portions of Subareas 13-1, 14-13, 15-2 and 15-3 Waters within 0.5 nautical miles of Mitlenatch Island.

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Crab

Crab

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Min size Gear Daily Limits Status
Crab - Box 13-1 to 13-4 and 13-6 to 13-43 dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap 1 Open
13-5 0 Closed
Crab - Dungeness 13-1 to 13-4 and 13-6 to 13-43 165mm dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap 4 Open
13-5 0 Closed
Crab - Dungeness and Red Rock combined 13 dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap 4 Open
Crab - King 13 0 Closed
Crab - Puget Sound King 13-1 to 13-4 and 13-6 to 13-43 dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap 1 Open
13-5 0 Closed
Crab - Red Rock 13-1 to 13-4 and 13-6 to 13-43 115mm dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap 4 Open
13-5 0 Closed
Crab - Shore 13 hand picking 75 Open
Crab - other 13-1 to 13-4 and 13-6 to 13-43 dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap 4 Open
13-5 0 Closed

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Crab Campbell River (Elk Falls) Dioxin Contamination (g/w) 100 - Consumption of crab hepatopancreas harvested from Discovery Passage should not exceed 100 g/week. This includes waters north of a line from the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island true west to the shore of Vancouver Island and south of a line from Separation Head (Quadra Island) true west to Vancouver Island. Harvesters are reminded that the mouth of the Campbell River is closed to all crab fishing all year.
Deepwater Bay Dioxin Contamination (g/w) 100 - Consumption of crab hepatopancreas should not exceed 100 g/week in the waters of Deepwater Bay. This includes waters southeast of a line from Separation Head on Quadra Island 50° true to the opposite shore.
Quadra Island - A Dioxin Contamination (g/w) 135 - Consumption of crab hepatopancreas should not exceed 135 g/week in the waters east of a line on Quadra Island from Chonat Point south to the opposite bay (Chonat Bay) and from Kanish Bay, Quadra Island, east of a line from Granite Point to Bodega Point.
Quadra Island - B Dioxin Contamination (g/w) 0 - Crab hepatopancreas should not be consumed from the area bounded by the eastern shore of Quadra Island from Francisco Point, thence 5 km north along the shore, thence east from the shoreline to the 200 m contour.
Sonora Island/Owen Bay Dioxin Contamination (g/w) 13 - Consumption of crab hepatopancreas should not exceed 13 g/week in the waters north of a line extending from Walters Point on Sonora Island true east to a point on the opposite shore (Owen Bay).
Coastwide Reminder As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - Traps must be marked with a tag, float or buoy that has your name and telephone number on it. This includes traps tied to a boat or dock or fished from shore. If two traps are attached to one ground-line, it is sufficient to attach a tag, float or buoy that bears the operator's name and telephone number to one end of the ground-line.
Coastwide Reminder As a Condition of Licence, crab traps are required to have two unobstructed circular escape holes or rings, measuring a minimum of 105 mm in diameter.
Coastwide Reminder Rot Cord - As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996, all crab traps must have a section in the top or sidewall that has been secured by a single length of untreated cotton twine no greater than No. 120 (approximately 5 mm or 3/16 inch diameter). This twine is often referred to as rot cord. On deterioration this must produce a rectangular opening with a minimum size of 7 cm x 20 cm, or a square opening with a minimum size of 11 cm x 11 cm. This regulation is intended to ensure that if the trap is lost, the section secured by the cord will rot, allowing captive crabs to escape, and preventing the trap from continuing to fish. On traps with a rigid frame and a freely opening hinged lid, the trap lid must be secured by a single length of untreated cotton twine no greater than No. 120 so that the trap lid will open freely when the rot cord is broken. No other fastenings may impede the hinged lid of the trap from opening.
Coastwide Reminder Crab, prawn and shrimp floats - As a Condition of Licence, the primary float attached to crab traps must be cylindrical in shape (includes bullet shaped) and a minimum of 27 cm in length and 12 cm in diameter; an optional secondary float may be used of any shape or size other than spherical. The primary float attached to prawn and shrimp traps must be spherical in shape and a minimum of 27 cm in diameter; an optional secondary float may be used of any shape or size other than cylindrical.
Coastwide Reminder Keep navigation channels clear of buoys and lines. Any fishing gear that interferes with safe navigation can be removed under the Navigation Protection Act.
Coastwide Reminder Floats must be made of a durable material and suitable for operation in marine waters. Floats/materials not suitable for use in marine waters are prohibited.
Coastwide Reminder As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - Maximum of 2 ring nets, dip nets or traps or combination of these per fisher. Ensure gear is properly marked. Hand picking is permitted including by diving. No sharp-pointed instruments are permitted for harvesting crab. It is illegal to use snares in catching or attempting to catch crabs.
Coastwide Reminder As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - A line or rope attached to a trap must be submerged in such a manner that the line or rope does not come into contact with a person or a boat.
Crab - Box Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Crab - Dungeness Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Coastwide Packaging and Transporting In order to be accurately measured, the carapace of Dungeness crab that you catch must remain attached until the crab arrives at your residence or it is consumed.
Coastwide Sex Restriction It is prohibited to possess female Dungeness crab.
Crab - Red Rock Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Coastwide Packaging and Transporting In order to be accurately measured, the carapace of Red Rock crab that you catch must remain attached until the crab arrives at your residence or it is consumed.
Coastwide Sex Restriction It is prohibited to possess female Red Rock crab.
Crab - King Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Coastwide Packaging and Transporting In order to be accurately measured, the carapace of King crab that you catch must remain attached until the crab arrives at your residence or it is consumed.
Coastwide Sex Restriction It is prohibited to possess female King crab.
Crab - Puget Sound King Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Coastwide Sex Restriction As a Condition of Licence, it is prohibited to possess female Puget Sound King Crab.
Crab - Brown Box Coastwide Sex Restriction As a Condition of Licence, it is prohibited to possess female Brown Box Crab.

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Campbell River (Elk Falls) Discovery Passage, including waters north of a line from the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island true west to the shore of Vancouver Island and south of a line from Separation Head (Quadra Island) true west to Vancouver Island
Coastwide
Deepwater Bay Deepwater Bay Waters of Deepwater Bay, this includes waters southeast of a line from Separation Head on Quadra Island 50° true to the opposite shore.
Discovery Passage/Campbell River Area 13: The waters of Discovery Passage, in the Campbell River area, bounded by a straight line from North Bluff on Quadra Island, across Seymour Narrows to a fishing boundary sign on Vancouver Island, and to the south by a line from the light on the end of the south Government Dock breakwater at Campbell River to Cape Mudge lighthouse.
Quadra Island - A Waters east of a line on Quadra Island from Chonat Point south to the opposite bay (Chonat Bay) and from Kanish Bay, Quadra Island, east of a line from Granite Point to Bodega Point.
Quadra Island - B From the area bounded by the eastern shore of Quadra Island from Francisco Point, thence 5 km north along the shore, thence east from the shoreline to the 200 m contour.
Sonora Island/Owen Bay Waters north of a line extending from Walters Point on Sonora Island true east to a point on the opposite shore (Owen Bay).

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Other invertebrates

Other invertebrates

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Gear Daily Limits Status
Abalone 13 0 Closed
Barnacles - Giant 13 diving 6 Open
Barnacles - Goose 13 hand picking 2kg Open
Invertebrates - all other species 13 angling, dip net, hand digging, hand picking, hand picking while diving, hand picking while snorkeling, hand pump, ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap 20 Open
Limpet 13 hand picking 75 Open
Octopus 13 angling, hand picking, hand picking while diving, trap 1 Open
Sand Dollar 13 hand picking 6 Open
Sea Cucumber 13 hand picking, hand picking while diving 12 Open
Sea Star or Starfish 13 diving, hand picking 6 Open
Sea Urchin 13 hand picking, hand picking while diving 12 Open
Shellfish - all other species 13 angling, dip net, hand digging, hand picking, hand picking while diving, hand pump, ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap 20 Open
Shrimp - Ghost 13 hand digging, hand pump 50 Open
Shrimp including prawn 13 ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap 125 Open
Squid - Opal 13 cast net, jigging 200 Open
Squid - all other species 13 cast net, jigging 20 Open

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Other Invertebrates Coastwide Reminder Rot Cord - As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996, all open mesh octopus traps and shrimp/prawn traps must have a section in the top or sidewall that has been secured by a single length of untreated cotton twine no greater than No. 120 (approximately 5 mm or 3/16 inch diameter). This twine is often referred to as rot cord. On deterioration this must produce a rectangular opening with a minimum size of 7 cm x 20 cm, or a square opening with a minimum size of 11 cm x 11 cm. This regulation is intended to ensure that if the trap is lost, the section secured by the cord will rot, allowing captive crabs to escape, and preventing the trap from continuing to fish. On traps with a rigid frame and a freely opening hinged lid the trap lid must be secured by a single length of untreated cotton twine no greater than No. 120 so that the trap lid will open freely when the rot cord is broken. No other fastenings may impede the hinged lid of the trap from opening.
Coastwide Reminder As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - Traps must be marked with a tag, float or buoy that has your name and telephone number on it. This includes traps tied to a boat or dock or fished from shore. If two traps are attached to one ground-line, it is sufficient to attach a tag, float or buoy that bears the operator's name and telephone number to one end of the ground-line.
Coastwide Reminder As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - A line or rope attached to a trap must be submerged in such a manner that the line or rope does not come into contact with a person or a boat.
Coastwide Reminder Floats must be made of a durable material and suitable for operation in marine waters. Floats/materials not suitable for use in marine waters are prohibited.
Barnacles - Giant Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Octopus Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Coastwide Reminder The use of sharp pointed instruments or chemicals is prohibited.
Sea Cucumber Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Sea Urchin Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Shrimp including prawn Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Coastwide Reminder As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - Maximum 4 traps or ring nets or combination of these per fisher.
Coastwide Reminder Spot Prawns (Pandalus platyceros) with eggs - No person shall retain prawns carrying eggs, or remove eggs from the underside of prawns carrying eggs. All prawns carrying eggs externally on the underside of the tail shall be returned to the water immediately and in the manner that causes the least harm.
Coastwide Reminder Crab, prawn and shrimp floats - As a Condition of Licence, the primary float attached to crab traps must be cylindrical in shape (includes bullet shaped) and a minimum of 27 cm in length and 12 cm in diameter; an optional secondary float may be used of any shape or size other than spherical. The primary float attached to prawn and shrimp traps must be spherical in shape and a minimum of 27 cm in diameter; an optional secondary float may be used of any shape or size other than cylindrical.
Sea Star or Starfish Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )
Shellfish - all other species Discovery Passage/Campbell River Closed diving (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), spear fishing while diving (year round )

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Coastwide
Discovery Passage/Campbell River Area 13: The waters of Discovery Passage, in the Campbell River area, bounded by a straight line from North Bluff on Quadra Island, across Seymour Narrows to a fishing boundary sign on Vancouver Island, and to the south by a line from the light on the end of the south Government Dock breakwater at Campbell River to Cape Mudge lighthouse.

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Protected areas

Protected areas

Learn about permanent restrictions that are in effect:

Area Type Closure name
13-1 Rockfish Conservation Area Mitlenatch Island
13-3 Rockfish Conservation Area Maud Island
Menzies Bay
13-7 Rockfish Conservation Area Deepwater Bay
13-11 Rockfish Conservation Area Kanish Bay
13-12 Rockfish Conservation Area Octopus Islands to Hoskyn Channel
13-13 Rockfish Conservation Area Octopus Islands to Hoskyn Channel
13-14 Rockfish Conservation Area Heriot Bay
13-15 Rockfish Conservation Area Heriot Bay
13-16 Rockfish Conservation Area Read - Cortes Islands
13-18 Rockfish Conservation Area Octopus Islands to Hoskyn Channel
13-22 Rockfish Conservation Area Bute Inlet North
13-26 Rockfish Conservation Area Thurston Bay
Walkem Islands to Hemming Bay
13-27 Rockfish Conservation Area Walkem Islands to Hemming Bay
13-28 Rockfish Conservation Area Walkem Islands to Hemming Bay
13-36 Rockfish Conservation Area Wellborne
13-38 Rockfish Conservation Area Forward Harbour
13-39 Rockfish Conservation Area Chancellor Channel West
13-40 Rockfish Conservation Area Chancellor Channel West
13-41 Rockfish Conservation Area Chancellor Channel East
Chancellor Channel West
13-43 Rockfish Conservation Area Loughborough Inlet

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Bute Inlet North Bute Inlet North Those waters of Subarea 13-22 that lie northerly of a line: From 50°50.200'N 124°54.770'W Littleton Point To 50°49.900'N 124°51.629'W shoreline.
Chancellor Channel East Chancellor Channel East Those waters of Subarea 13-41 that lie easterly of a line: From 50°26.961'N 125°35.592'W Grismond Point To 50°26.300'N 125°35.449'W shoreline.
Chancellor Channel West Chancellor Channel West Those waters of Subareas 13-39 to 13-41 that lie inside a line that: begins at 50°26.293'N 125°44.611'W shoreline then to 50°26.461'N 125°44.200'W shoreline then easterly following the shoreline to 50°26.400'N 125°37.956'W shoreline then to 50°25.652'N 125°37.500'W shoreline then westerly following the shoreline of West Thurlow Island to 50°24.806'N 125°43.571'W West Thurlow Island then to 50°25.400'N 125°44.387'W Hardwicke Island then northerly following the shoreline of Hardwicke Island to the beginning point.
Deepwater Bay Deepwater Bay Those waters of Deepwater Bay in Subarea 13-7 that lie southerly of a line: From 50°10.861'N 125°20.885'W near Separation Head To 50°11.434'N 125°20.268'W shoreline.
Forward Harbour Forward Harbour Subarea 13-38
Heriot Bay Heriot Bay Those waters of Subareas 13-14 and 13-15 that lie inside a line that: begins at 50°06.500'N 125°09.700'W in water then true east to 50°06.500'N 125°06.800'W in water then true south to 50°05.700'N 125°06.800'W in water then true west to 50°05.700'N 125°09.700'W in water then true north to the beginning point.
Kanish Bay Kanish Bay Those waters of Kanish Bay in Subarea 13-11 that lie easterly of the meridian passing through 125°21.750' west longitude.
Loughborough Inlet Loughborough Inlet Subarea 13-43
Maud Island Those waters of Subarea 13-3 that lie northerly of a line: From 50°07.733'N 125°20.328'W near Maud Island Light To 50°06.867'N 125°17.833'W Quadra Island.
Menzies Bay Menzies Bay Those waters of Subarea 13-3 that lie inside of a line that: begins at 50°07.715'N 125°21.662'W Wilfred Point then to 50°06.953'N 125°21.003'W west of Race Point then westerly following the shoreline to 50°06.826'N 125°22.000'W Huntingford Point then to 50°06.982'N 125°22.663'W Bloedel Wharf then westerly following the shoreline to 50°07.674'N 125°23.400'W shoreline then to 50°08.188'N 125°22.874'W shoreline then easterly following the shoreline to the beginning point.
Mitlenatch Island Mitlenatch Island Those waters of Subareas 13-1, 14-13, 15-2 and 15-3 that lie inside a line that: begins at 49°58.500'N 125°01.900'W in water then to 49°58.500'N 124°58.100'W in water then to 49°55.500'N 124°58.100'W in water then to 49°55.500'N 125°01.900'W in water then to the beginning point.
Octopus Islands to Hoskyn Channel Octopus Islands to Hoskyn Channel Those waters of Subareas 13-12, 13-13 and 13-18 that lie southerly of a line: From 50°17.583'N 125°13.488'W Hole in the Wall To 50°17.750'N 125°12.655'W shoreline then following the southerly shoreline of Maurelle Island to 50°16.587'N 125°05.343'W north of Etta Point and northerly of a line: From 50°08.604'N 125°09.144'W south of Dunsterville Point To 50°09.904'N 125°09.659'W Quadra Island.
Read - Cortes Islands Read - Cortes Islands The waters of Subarea 13-16 that lie northeasterly of a line: From 50°08.917'N 125°06.116'W north of Twin Bay To 50°07.800'W 125°03.268'W south of Coulter Bay.
Thurston Bay Thurston Bay In Subarea 13-26, the waters of Thurston Bay and Cameleon Harbour that lie westerly of a line: From 50°22.524'N 125°19.872'W Davis Point To 50°20.988'N 125°21.000'W Sonora Island.
Walkem Islands to Hemming Bay Walkem Islands to Hemming Bay Those waters of Subareas 13-26 to 13-28 that lie inside a line that: begins at 50°22.534'N 125°32.929'W Edith Point then to 50°21.457'N 125°31.511'W Walkem Islands Light then to 50°20.707'N 125°27.930'W Turn Islands Light then to 50°20.600'N 125°27.500'W in water then to 50°20.600'N 125°27.100'W in water then to 50°21.900'N 125°22.500'W in water then to 50°23.300'N 125°21.100'W in water then to 50°23.506'N 125°21.349'W Jackson Point then westerly following the shoreline to the beginning point.
Wellborne Wellborne Subarea 13-36.

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Date modified: