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BC tidal area 29 - Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Fraser River: 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 map

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 29: Download a printable PDF version of this map.

Click thumbnail to enlarge image.

Tidal water boundaries in streams and rivers

In streams and rivers, tidal waters and non-tidal waters meet. In Area 29 these boundaries are marked by bridges and rail lines. On the side closest to the ocean, the waters are considered tidal. On the side farthest from the ocean, the waters are considered non-tidal.

Licences and regulations are different for tidal waters and freshwater fishing. Know your boundaries:

  • Brunette River: Burlington Northern Railway Bridge
  • Campbell River: Burlington Northern Railway Bridge
  • Chapman Creek: Highway 101 Bridge
  • Coquitlam River: Mary Hill Bypass Bridge
  • Fraser River: CPR Bridge at Mission
  • Kanaka Creek: CPR Bridge
  • Nathan Creek: CNR Bridge
  • Nicomekl River: Burlington Northern Railway Bridge
  • Pitt River: CPR Bridge
  • Serpentine River: Burlington Northern Railway Bridge
  • Stave River: CPR Bridge
  • West Creek: CN Railway Bridge
  • Whonnock Creek: CP Rail line
  • York Creek: CP Rail line

See Region 2 (Lower Mainland) for salmon fishing opportunities on the freshwater (non-tidal) side of these boundaries.

Salmon

Salmon

Maps

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Min size Gear Daily Limits Status
Chinook salmon (hatchery and wild combined) 29-1 to 29-5 and 29-8 62cm barbless hook and line 0 Non Retention
29-6,29-7 and 29-9 to 29-17 0 Closed
Chum salmon 29-1 to 29-5 and 29-8 30cm barbless hook and line 0 Non Retention
29-6,29-7 and 29-9 to 29-17 0 Closed
Coho salmon (hatchery and wild combined) 29-1 to 29-5 and 29-8 30cm barbless hook and line 0 Non Retention
29-6,29-7 and 29-9 to 29-17 0 Closed
Pink salmon 29-1 to 29-5 and 29-8 30cm barbless hook and line 4 Open
29-6,29-7 and 29-9 to 29-17 0 Closed
Sockeye salmon 29-1 to 29-5 and 29-8 30cm barbless hook and line 0 Non Retention
29-6,29-7 and 29-9 to 29-17 0 Closed

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Finfish Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Closed From one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise only - (year round )
Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Reminder As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - It is prohibited to fish in the tidal portion of the Fraser River using a fishing line with a barbed hook attached.
29 Reminder In tidal waters, it is illegal to angle with a fishing line that has more than one hook, artificial lure or artificial fly attached, with the following exceptions: (1) When bait fishing, you may attach multiple hooks to hold a single piece of bait as long as the hooks are not arranged to catch more than one fish. (2) When fishing for herring, mackerel, northern anchovy, Pacific sand lance or Pacific sardine you may attach any number of hooks to a line. (3) In the tidal waters of the Fraser River (see area boundary description below), you may fish with two hooks, artificial lures or artificial flies (on one line).
Salmon Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Gear Restriction You are not allowed to harvest using the following gears and methods:
  • a hook having more than one point (year round )
Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Reminder As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - It is prohibited to use more than one line when sport fishing in the tidal waters of the Fraser River.
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.
29 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.
29-3 Reminder As a Condition of Licence, the use of downriggers is prohibited in portions of Subareas 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, 28-4, and 29-3 in the Howe Sound glass sponge reef marine refuges and fishery closure areas, as described at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/ceccsr-cerceef/closures-fermetures-eng.html.
Chinook salmon (hatchery and wild combined) Strait of Georgia Chinook closure Closed barbless hook and line (Apr 1 to Aug 31)
Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Closed barbless hook and line (year round )
Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Minimum Size (cm) 30
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.
Chum salmon Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Closed barbless hook and line (year round )
Coho salmon (hatchery and wild combined) Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Closed barbless hook and line (year round )
Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Minimum Size (cm) 25
Pink salmon Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Closed barbless hook and line (year round )
Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Daily Limit Pieces 0
Sockeye salmon Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Closed (year round )

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Coastwide
Strait of Georgia Chinook closure Strait of Georgia Chinook closure Portions of Southern Strait of Georgia - those portions of Subarea 29-3 to 29-5 that lie east of a line from Gower Point (49°23.021'N, 123°32.166'W) near Gibsons to Shah Point on the southern tip of Valdes Island (49°01.695'N, 123°35.721'W).
Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) The following Subareas or portions of Subareas: (a) Subarea 29-11 and Subareas 29-13 to 29-17; (b) The portion of Subarea 29-9 bounded on the west by a line from a fishing boundary sign near the entrance to Canoe Passage, thence to a fishing boundary sign on Westham Island, thence following the westerly shoreline of Westham Island and Reifel Island to Pelly Point on Reifel Island, thence to Garry Point on Lulu Island; and (c) The portion of Subarea 29-12 bounded on the west by a line from the most southwesterly point of Sea Island, thence following the westerly shoreline of that island to the Iona Island Road Causeway, thence following that causeway and continuing in a straight line in a northerly direction to a fishing boundary sign on the north shore of Iona Island, thence in a straight line in a northerly direction to a fishing boundary sign on the mainland.

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Other finfish

Finfish other than salmon

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Min size Gear Daily Limits Status
Codfish 29 angling, spear fishing while diving 8 Open
Eulachon 29 0 Closed
Finfish - all other species 29 angling, dip net, herring jig, herring rake, spear fishing while diving 20 Open
Greenling 29 angling, spear fishing while diving 3 Open
Halibut 29 angling, spear fishing while diving 1 Open
Herring 29 cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake 20kg Open
Lingcod 29-1 to 29-4 and 29-6 to 29-17 0 Closed
29-5 65cm angling, spear fishing while diving 1 Open
Mackerel 29 angling, dip net, herring jig, spear fishing while diving 100 Open
Northern Anchovy 29 cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake 20kg Open
Pacific sand lance 29 cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake 5kg Open
Pacific sardine 29 angling, dip net, herring jig, spear fishing while diving 100 Open
Rockfish - Yelloweye 29 angling, spear fishing while diving 0 Non Retention
Rockfish - all species except Yelloweye 29-1 to 29-4 and 29-6 to 29-17 0 Closed
29-5 angling, spear fishing while diving 1 Open
Sablefish 29 angling 4 Open
Sculpin 29 angling 8 Open
Shark - Basking 29 0 Closed
Shark - Blue 29 0 Closed
Shark - Brown Cat 29 0 Closed
Shark - Great White 29 0 Closed
Shark - Salmon 29 angling, spear fishing while diving 1 Open
Shark - Sixgill 29 0 Closed
Shark - Tope 29 0 Closed
Shark - all other species 29 0 Closed
Skate 29 angling 1 Open
Smelt 29 dip net, gill net 20kg Open
Sole or Flounder 29 angling, spear fishing while diving 8 Open
Spiny Dogfish 29 angling, spear fishing while diving 4 Open
Surfperch 29 angling 8 Open
Tuna - Albacore 29 angling, spear fishing while diving 20 Open
Tuna - Bluefin 29 angling, spear fishing while diving 20 Open
Tuna - all other species 29 angling, spear fishing while diving 20 Open
White Sturgeon 29 angling 0 Non Retention
Wolf Eel 29 angling 0 Non Retention

Species Areas Min size Gear Daily Limits Status
Trout (hatchery and wild combined) 29 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 Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Closed From one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise only - (year round )
Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) Reminder As per the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 - It is prohibited to fish in the tidal portion of the Fraser River using a fishing line with a barbed hook attached.
29 Reminder In tidal waters, it is illegal to angle with a fishing line that has more than one hook, artificial lure or artificial fly attached, with the following exceptions: (1) When bait fishing, you may attach multiple hooks to hold a single piece of bait as long as the hooks are not arranged to catch more than one fish. (2) When fishing for herring, mackerel, northern anchovy, Pacific sand lance or Pacific sardine you may attach any number of hooks to a line. (3) In the tidal waters of the Fraser River (see area boundary description below), you may fish with two hooks, artificial lures or artificial flies (on one line).
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.
Smelt 29 Closed From 8:01 h Mondays to 7:59 h Thursdays only. - dip net (Apr 1 to Jun 14), gill net (Apr 1 to Jun 14)
Codfish Coastwide Reminder Species includes - Pacific cod, Pacific tomcod, pollock and hake but does not include lingcod.
Halibut 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 29-5 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.
29-5 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.
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
Tidal portion of the Fraser River (in Area 29) The following Subareas or portions of Subareas: (a) Subarea 29-11 and Subareas 29-13 to 29-17; (b) The portion of Subarea 29-9 bounded on the west by a line from a fishing boundary sign near the entrance to Canoe Passage, thence to a fishing boundary sign on Westham Island, thence following the westerly shoreline of Westham Island and Reifel Island to Pelly Point on Reifel Island, thence to Garry Point on Lulu Island; and (c) The portion of Subarea 29-12 bounded on the west by a line from the most southwesterly point of Sea Island, thence following the westerly shoreline of that island to the Iona Island Road Causeway, thence following that causeway and continuing in a straight line in a northerly direction to a fishing boundary sign on the north shore of Iona Island, thence in a straight line in a northerly direction to a fishing boundary sign on the mainland.

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)
29-1 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-2 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-3 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-4 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-5 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-6 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-7 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-8 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-9 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-10 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-11 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-12 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-13 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-14 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-15 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-16 Closed to All Bivalve Species
29-17 Closed to All Bivalve Species

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Gear Daily Limits
Clam - Butter 29 0
Clam - Horse 29 0
Clam - Littleneck 29 0
Clam - Manila 29 0
Clam - Razor 29 0
Clam - Softshell 29 0
Clam - Varnish 29 0
Clam - all species combined 29 0
Cockles 29 0
Geoduck 29 0
Mussel - Blue 29 0
Mussel - California 29 0
Mussels - all species combined 29 0
Oyster - Olympia 29 0
Oyster - all species except Olympia 29 0
Scallop - Pink and Spiny 29 0
Scallop - Purple-hinged rock 29 0
Scallop - Weathervane 29 0
Scallop - Weathervane and Purple-hinged rock combined 29 0
Snail - Moon 29 hand picking 2
Snail - other 29 0
Whelks 29 0

Last updated: 2025-05-15

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 - all species combined 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.
Oyster - all species except Olympia 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 29 Reminder Moon snails may be subject to PSP, check for closures. Consult your local DFO office for details.

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area descriptions

Closure Map Area description
28.3 Gower Point to Soames Point, Gibsons Landing 28.3.png The intertidal foreshore from Gower Point to Soames Point, Gibsons Landing. [NAD83]
29.1 Chaster Creek to Gower Point 29.1.png The intertidal foreshore from the mouth of Chaster Creek to Gower Point. [NAD83]
29.10 Trail Bay 29.10.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Trail Bay in the area of the District of Sechelt inside a line drawn from a point on land at 49°28.12' north latitude and 123º46.82' west longitude at the end of Norwest Bay Road in Sechelt, southeasterly to a point in the water at 49°27.44' north latitude and 123º45.19' west longitude, thence due east to a point on land at 49°27.44' north latitude and 123º44.29' west longitude located at the end of Nestman Road in Selma Park. [NAD83]
29.2 Boundary Bay, Mud and Semiahmoo Bays 29.2.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Boundary Bay, Mud Bay and Semiahmoo Bay, lying inside, that is northerly of the International Boundary Line. [NAD83]
29.3 Sand Heads to U.S. Boundary by Tsawwassen 29.3.png The waters and intertidal foreshore in the Strait of Georgia, lying inside a line drawn from the International Boundary south of Tsawwassen at 49°00.09' north latitude and 123°05.38' west longitude, following the International Boundary through the westerly end of Tsawwassen Causeway to a point in water at 49°00.12' north latitude and 123°09.01' west longitude, thence northwesterly to the light at Sand Heads at 49°06.36' north latitude and 123°18.19' west longitude, thence northwesterly to a point in water at 49°13.09' north latitude and 123°22.71' west longitude, thence northeasterly to the western end of the Fraser River North Arm Jetty at 49°15.54' north latitude and 123°16.97' west longitude, and including the waters of the Fraser River, south of a line drawn from the northern tip of Lulu Island at 49°11.74' north latitude and 122°55.26' west longitude southeasterly to a point on the opposite bank at 49°11.42' north latitude and 122°54.66' west longitude. [NAD83]
29.4 Sargeant Bay, Sechelt Peninsula 29.4.png That portion of Sargeant Bay, Sechelt Peninsula, within a 300 m radius of the mouth of the unnamed creek entering the northernmost area of the bay. [NAD83]
29.5 Whaler Bay, Galiano Island 29.5.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Whaler Bay, Galiano Island, lying inside, that is southeast of a line drawn 265° True from Cain Point to the western shore of Galiano Island. [NAD83]
29.6 Whaler Bay, Galiano Island 29.6.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of Galiano Island lying west of a line drawn from Twiss Point at 48°53.59' north latitude and 123°20.08' west longitude thence southwesterly to a point of land marking the entrance to Murchison Cove at 48°53.41' north latitude and 123°20.15' west longitude. [NAD83]
29.7 Wakefield Creek 29.7.png The intertidal waters at the mouth of Wakefield Creek from a point on land at the base of Mason Road at 49°28.06' north latitude and 123°48.09' west longitude, thence westerly along the edge of the intertidal zone to a point of land at 49°28.07' north latitude and 123°48.48' west longitude. [NAD83]
29.8 Davis Bay 29.8.png The intertidal foreshore of Davis Bay, located southeast of Sechelt, west of a line drawn due south from an unnamed point on the east side of Chapman Creek at 49°26.31' north latitude and 123°43.42' west longitude, thence northerly and westerly along the low tide mark to a point where a line drawn due west from the culvert at 49°26.52' north latitude and 123°43.69' west longitude intersects the low tide mark. [NAD 83]
29.9 Northwest Langley 29.9.png The waters and intertidal foreshore of the Fraser River, lying inside a line drawn from the mouth of Yorkson Creek at 49°11.75' north latitude and 122°39.26' west longitude, thence northwesterly across Derby Reach to a point on land at 49°12.09' north latitude and 122°39.50' west longitude, thence easterly following the shoreline to a point on land at 49°12.00' north latitude and 122°40.52' west longitude, thence southeasterly across Bishops Reach to a point on Barnston Island west of Mann Point at 49°11.67' north latitude and 122°40.59' west longitude, thence westerly following the shoreline to a point on Barnston Island east of Mann Point at 49°11.43' north latitude and 122°40.68' west longitude, thence southeasterly across Parsons Channel to a point on land at 49°11.26' north latitude and 122°40.45' west longitude, thence northeasterly following the shoreline to the point of commencement. [NAD83]

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area Map Area description
Coastwide

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Crab

Crab

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Min size Gear Daily Limits Status
Crab - Box 29 dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap 1 Open
Crab - Dungeness 29 165mm dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap 4 Open
Crab - Dungeness and Red Rock combined 29 dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap 4 Open
Crab - King 29 0 Closed
Crab - Puget Sound King 29 dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap 1 Open
Crab - Red Rock 29 115mm dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap 4 Open
Crab - Shore 29 0 Closed
Crab - other 29 dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap 4 Open

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Crab 29-1 to 29-3 Dioxin Contamination (g/w) 130 - Consumption of crab hepatopancreas harvested in Howe Sound and the Strait of Georgia in subareas 28-2 and 29-1 and portions of subareas 28-1, 29-2 and 29-3, in the waters bounded: on the north by a line from Brunswick Point west to Irby Point on Anvil Island and along the shoreline to Domett Point on Anvil Island, west to McNab Point on the mainland, on the west by a line from McNab Point to Ekins Point on Gambier Island that follows the eastern and southern shoreline to the government wharf at Gambier Harbour, then proceeds south to Cotton Point on Keats Island and along the eastern and southern shoreline, south to Home Island and continues from southern tip of Home Island west to Gower Point, then follows the shoreline north and west to Reception Point, then on the south by a line that goes from Reception Point east to a point 1.5 km true south of Cape Roger Curtis on Bowen Island, and finally east to Point Atkinson, should not exceed 130 g/week.
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.
29 Time of Day Restrictions Daylight hours - It is illegal to set or haul crab traps from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. Overnight soaking of traps is allowed.
Crab - Box Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Delta Port Closed dip net (year round ), hand picking (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), ring net (year round ), trap (year round )
Crab - Dungeness Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Delta Port Closed dip net (year round ), hand picking (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), ring net (year round ), trap (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 Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Delta Port Closed dip net (year round ), hand picking (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), ring net (year round ), trap (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 Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Delta Port Closed dip net (year round ), hand picking (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), ring net (year round ), trap (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 Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Delta Port Closed dip net (year round ), hand picking (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), ring net (year round ), trap (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.
Crab - Shore Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Delta Port Closed dip net (year round ), hand picking (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), ring net (year round ), trap (year round )
Crab - other Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Delta Port Closed dip net (year round ), hand picking (year round ), hand picking while diving (year round ), ring net (year round ), trap (year round )

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Coastwide
Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Delta Port Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Delta Port The waters inside a line drawn from a point on land at 49°01.567'N and 123°08.787'W to the TB Yellow Marker at 49°01.464'N and 123°08.633'W, thence to the T8 Red Marker at 49°01.214'N and 123°08.578'W, then to the T6 Red Marker at 49°00.887'N and 123°08.644'W, thence to the T4 Red Marker at 49°00.696'N and 123°08.922'W, thence to the T2 Red Marker at 49°00.489'N and 123°09.201'W, then southeasterly to the BC Ferry Western docking pylon at 49°00.323'N and 123°08.189'W, thence following the BC Ferry property coastline to 49°00.470'N and 123°07.582'W, thence southeasterly to the most northeasterly point of the Tsawwassen Breakwater at 49°00.230'N and 123°07.440'W, thence to the southwesterly point of the Tsawwassen Breakwater at 49°00.134'N and 123°07.725'W, thence westerly to a point in water at 49°00.133'N and 123°11.270'W, thence due north to a point in water at 49°00.913'N and 123°11.270'W, thence due east to the west end of the Delta Port Dock at 49°00.666'N and 123°10.082'W, thence northeasterly following the Delta Port causeway to 49°00.822'N and 123°09.533'W, thence following the Delta Port property coastline to the point of commencement.

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Other invertebrates

Other invertebrates

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Gear Daily Limits Status
Abalone 29 0 Closed
Barnacles - Giant 29 0 Closed
Barnacles - Goose 29 hand picking 2kg Open
Invertebrates - all other species 29 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 29 0 Closed
Octopus 29 angling, hand picking, hand picking while diving, trap 1 Open
Sand Dollar 29 hand picking 6 Open
Sea Cucumber 29 hand picking, hand picking while diving 12 Open
Sea Star or Starfish 29 diving, hand picking 6 Open
Sea Urchin 29 hand picking, hand picking while diving 12 Open
Shellfish - all other species 29 angling, dip net, hand digging, hand picking, hand picking while diving, hand pump, ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap 20 Open
Shrimp - Ghost 29-1 to 29-7 and 29-9 to 29-17 hand digging, hand pump 50 Open
29-8 0 Closed
Shrimp including prawn 29 ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap 125 Open
Squid - Opal 29 cast net, jigging 200 Open
Squid - all other species 29 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.
Octopus Coastwide Reminder The use of sharp pointed instruments or chemicals is prohibited.
Shrimp including prawn 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 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 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.

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Coastwide

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Protected areas

Protected areas

Learn about permanent restrictions that are in effect:

Area Type Closure name
29-2 Rockfish Conservation Area Halibut Bank
Glass Sponge Reef Halibut Bank
Rockfish Conservation Area McCall Bank
Glass Sponge Reef Sechelt
29-3 Glass Sponge Reef Foreslope Hills
Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 1
Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 2
Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 3
Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 4
Rockfish Conservation Area McCall Bank
29-4 Rockfish Conservation Area Mayne Island North
Glass Sponge Reef Outer Gulf Islands 1
Outer Gulf Islands 2
Outer Gulf Islands 3
Outer Gulf Islands 4
29-5 Rockfish Conservation Area Gabriola Passage
Galiano Island North
Valdes Island East

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Foreslope Hills Foreslope Hills That portion of Subarea 29-3 that lies inside a line that: begins at 49°09.634'N 123°23.048'W then southeasterly to 49°09.389'N 123°22.622'W then to 49°09.187'N 123°22.587'W then to 49°09.211'N 123°23.567'W then to 49°09.646'N 123°23.543'W then to the beginning point.
Gabriola Passage Gabriola Passage Those waters of Subareas 17-10, 17-17 and 29-5 that lie inside a line that: begins at 49°08.200'N 123°41.549'W Gabriola Island then true east to 49°08.200'N 123°41.140'W Breakwater Island then southerly following the westerly shoreline of Breakwater Island to 49°07.546'N 123°40.897'W Breakwater Island then to 49°07.110'N 123°41.125'W Valdes Island then northerly following the shoreline of Valdes Island to 49°07.625'N 123°42.913'W Dibuxante Point then to 49°07.775'N 123°43.033'W Gabriola Island then easterly following the shoreline to the beginning point.
Galiano Island North Galiano Island North That portion of Subarea 29-5 that lies inside a line that: begins at 48°57.600' N 123°30.540' W shore of Galiano Island then to 48°58.400' N 123°29.700' W in water then to 48°56.880' N 123°25.870' W in water then to 48°56.000' N 123°26.100' W shore of Galiano Island then following the Galiano Island shoreline in a northwesterly direction to the beginning point.
Halibut Bank Halibut Bank Those portions of Subareas 29-2 that lie inside a line that: begins at 49°22.100'N 123°47.400'W in water then to 49°22.100'N 123°44.700'W in water then to 49°17.100'N 123°36.700'W in water then to 49°17.100'N 123°38.900'W in water then to 49°19.700'N 123°44.300'W in water then to the beginning point.
Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 1 Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 1 Those portions of Subareas 28-2 and 29-3 that lie inside a line that: begins at 49°21.486'N 123°17.254'W then southerly to 49°20.528'N 123°17.690'W then to 49°20.401'N 123°17.956'W then to 49°20.765'N 123°18.794'W then to 49°20.982'N 123°18.584'W then to 49°21.098'N 123°18.037'W then to 49°21.501'N 123°17.737'W then to the beginning point.
Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 2 Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 2 Those portions of Subareas 28-2 and 29-3 that lie inside a line that: begins at 49°20.288'N 123°17.693'W then southeasterly to 49°20.224'N 123°17.501'W then to 49°19.993'N 123°17.377'W then to 49°19.802'N 123°17.444'W then to 49°19.720'N 123°17.840'W then to 49°19.937'N 123°18.107'W then to the beginning point.
Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 3 Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 3 Those portions of Subareas 28-2 and 29-3 that lie inside a line that: begins at 49°19.918'N 123°19.847'W then southerly to 49°19.296'N 123°19.905'W then to 49°19.307'N 123°20.344'W then to 49°19.643'N 123°20.421'W then to 49°19.819'N 123°20.361'W then to 49°19.947'N 123°20.097'W then to the beginning point.
Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 4 Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel 4 Those portions of Subareas 28-2 and 29-3 that lie inside a line that: begins at 49°20.637'N 123°19.162'W then easterly to 49°20.577'N 123°18.720'W then to 49°20.441'N 123°18.637'W then to 49°20.068'N 123°18.818'W then to 49°20.076'N 123°19.135'W then to 49°19.718'N 123°19.187'W then to 49°19.726'N 123°19.514'W then to 49°20.259'N 123°19.828'W then to the beginning point.
Mayne Island North Mayne Island North Those portions of Subareas 18-1 and 29-4 that lie inside a line that: begins at 48°53.163'N 123°19.250'W Cain Point then true north to 48°53.259'N 123°19.250'W Gossip Island then following the easterly shoreline of Gossip Island to 48°53.671'N 123°19.367'W Gossip Island then to 48°53.950'N 123°19.100'W in water then to 48°52.300'N 123°15.200'W in water then true south to 48°51.550'N 123°15.200'W Mayne Island, near Edith Point then northwesterly following the Mayne Island shoreline to 48°52.398'N 123°17.487'W Active Pass Light then to 48°53.099'N 123°18.362'W Gossip Shoals Light and Bell Buoy U47 then to 48°52.778'N 123°18.724'W Rip Point then northwesterly following the shoreline of Galiano Island to the beginning point.
McCall Bank McCall Bank That portion of Subareas 29-2 and 29-3 that lies inside a line that: begins at 49°22.000'N 123°40.000'W in water then to 49°22.000'N 123°37.200'W in water then to 49°19.900'N 123°33.000'W in water then to 49°19.900'N 123°35.900'W in water then to the beginning point.
Outer Gulf Islands 1 Outer Gulf Islands 1 Those portions of Subareas 18-1 and 29-4 that lie inside a line that: begins at 48°54.936'N 123°19.589'W then southerly to 48°54.283'N 123°18.529'W then to 48°54.114'N 123°18.619'W then to 48°54.065'N 123°18.771'W then to 48°54.787'N 123°19.929'W then to 48°54.902'N 123°19.793'W then to the beginning point.
Outer Gulf Islands 2 Outer Gulf Islands 2 Those portions of Subareas 18-1 and 29-4 that lie inside a line that: begins at 48°52.588'N 123°15.261'W then easterly to 48°52.520'N 123°14.537'W then to 48°51.971'N 123°13.768'W then to 48°51.795'N 123°13.947'W then to 48°52.150'N 123°14.444'W then to 48°52.038'N 123°14.678'W then to 48°52.479'N 123°15.521'W then to the beginning point.
Outer Gulf Islands 3 Outer Gulf Islands 3 Those portions of Subareas 18-1 and 29-4 that lie inside a line that: begins at 48°51.602'N 123°13.233'W then southerly to 48°51.309'N 123°12.751'W then to 48°50.913'N 123°12.938'W then to 48°50.844'N 123°13.059'W then to 48°51.163'N 123°13.662'W then to 48°51.579'N 123°13.378'W then to the beginning point.
Outer Gulf Islands 4 Outer Gulf Islands 4 Those portions of Subareas 18-1 and 29-4 that lie inside a line that: begins at 48°50.999'N 123°12.391'W then southerly to 48°50.608'N 123°11.603'W then to 48°50.097'N 123°10.956'W then to 48°49.959'N 123°11.182'W then to 48°50.857'N 123°12.654'W then to 48°50.959'N 123°12.566'W then to the beginning point.
Sechelt Sechelt That portion of Subarea 29-2 that lie inside a line that: begins at 49°25.948'N 123°48.889'W then easterly to 49°25.899'N 123°47.266'W then to 49°25.373'N 123°46.494'W then to 49°24.734'N 123°47.083'W then to 49°24.910'N 123°47.951'W then to 49°24.253'N 123°48.283'W then to 49°24.845'N 123°49.914'W then to the beginning point.
Valdes Island East Valdes Island East That portion of Subarea 29-5 that lies inside a line that: begins at 49°04.067'N 123°37.867'W Valdes Island then to 49°04.700'N 123°36.500'W in water then to 49°02.400'N 123°34.400'W in water then to 49°01.700'N 123°35.717'W Shah Point then northerly following the shoreline to the beginning point.

Last updated: 2025-05-06

Date modified: