BC tidal areas 4 and 104 - Prince Rupert, Porcher Island: 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
- 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.
- Check the Area map. You need to know the location (subarea) where you plan to fish.
- Check the species regulations tables for fishing opportunities and basic regulations.
- 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.
- Get to know the locations of protected areas. Permanent fishing restrictions are in effect in these areas to protect fish and fish habitat.
- Unless otherwise specified, fishing opportunities and closures end at 23:59 hrs on the close-date shown.
Related links
Area maps
Area maps
This map is for information only and should not be used for fishing, navigation or other purposes.
For a written description of Areas please see the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations 2007.
Area 4: Download a printable PDF version of this map.
Area 104: Download a printable PDF version of this map.
Click thumbnail to enlarge image.
Salmon
Salmon
- You must have a valid a salmon conservation stamp on your BC Tidal Waters sport fishing licence if you plan to retain salmon.
- You must immediately and permanently record all retained chinook salmon on your paper licence, your NRLS catch log or your NRLS-linked FishingBC app catch log.
- Learn more about fishing for salmon
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon (hatchery and wild combined) | 4,104 | 45cm | barbless hook and line | 2 | Open |
| Chum salmon | 4 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
| 104 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 4 | Open | |
| Coho salmon (hatchery and wild combined) | 4,104 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 4 | Open |
| Pink salmon | 4,104 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 4 | Open |
| Sockeye salmon | 4 | 0 | Closed | ||
| 104 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 4 | Open |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 4,104 | Gear Restriction | You are not allowed to harvest using the following gears and methods:
|
|
| 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) | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coastwide |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Other finfish
Finfish other than salmon
- You must immediately and permanently record all retained halibut on your paper licence, your NRLS catch log or your NRLS-linked FishingBC app catch log.
- Check the Restrictions for the current possession limit for Pacific halibut
- Learn more about fishing for finfish
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codfish | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 8 | Open | |
| Eulachon | 4,104 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Finfish - all other species | 4,104 | angling, dip net, herring jig, herring rake, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Greenling | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open | |
| Halibut | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 1 | Open | |
| Herring | 4,104 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 20kg | Open | |
| Lingcod | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open | |
| Mackerel | 4,104 | angling, dip net, herring jig, spear fishing while diving | 100 | Open | |
| Northern Anchovy | 4,104 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 20kg | Open | |
| Pacific sand lance | 4,104 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 5kg | Open | |
| Pacific sardine | 4,104 | angling, dip net, herring jig, spear fishing while diving | 100 | Open | |
| Rockfish - Yelloweye | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 0 | Non Retention | |
| Rockfish - all species except Yelloweye | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open | |
| Sablefish | 4,104 | angling | 4 | Open | |
| Sculpin | 4,104 | angling | 8 | Open | |
| Shark - Basking | 4,104 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Blue | 4,104 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Brown Cat | 4,104 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Great White | 4,104 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Salmon | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 1 | Open | |
| Shark - Sixgill | 4,104 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Tope | 4,104 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - all other species | 4,104 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Skate | 4,104 | angling | 1 | Open | |
| Smelt | 4,104 | dip net, gill net | 20kg | Open | |
| Sole or Flounder | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 8 | Open | |
| Spiny Dogfish | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 4 | Open | |
| Surfperch | 4,104 | angling | 8 | Open | |
| Tuna - Albacore | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Tuna - Bluefin | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Tuna - all other species | 4,104 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| White Sturgeon | 4,104 | angling | 0 | Non Retention | |
| Wolf Eel | 4,104 | angling | 0 | Non Retention |
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout (hatchery and wild combined) | 4,104 | 30cm | angling | 2 Combined Total * Consisting of no more than:
|
Open |
Last updated: 2025-05-16
Restrictions
Always check for protected areas.
| Species | Areas | Measure type | Measure value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | 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). | |
| Rockfish - all species except Yelloweye | 4,104 | Daily Limit Pieces | 3 - daily limit of 3 Rockfish per day, of which only 1 may be a China Rockfish, Tiger Rockfish or a Quillback Rockfish. |
| 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 |
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
- 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.
- If no contamination closures are in effect, check species regulations and additional harvest restrictions.
- 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.
- Littleneck, Manila and butter clams are subject to a minimum size limit. See below under restrictions for more information on clam size limits.
- 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 4-1 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-2 | ||
| 4-3 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-4 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-5 | ||
| 4-6 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-7 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-8 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-9 | ||
| 4-10 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-11 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-12 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-13 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-14 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 4-15 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 104-1 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 104-2 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 104-3 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 104-4 | Closed to All Bivalve Species | |
| 104-5 | Closed to All Bivalve Species |
Last updated: 2025-05-09
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Gear | Daily Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clam - Butter | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Clam - Horse | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Clam - Littleneck | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Clam - Manila | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Clam - Razor | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Clam - Softshell | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Clam - Varnish | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Clam - all species combined | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Cockles | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Geoduck | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Mussel - Blue | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Mussel - California | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Mussels - all species combined | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Oyster - Olympia | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Oyster - all species except Olympia | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Scallop - Pink and Spiny | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Scallop - Purple-hinged rock | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Scallop - Weathervane | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Scallop - Weathervane and Purple-hinged rock combined | 4,104 | 0 | |
| Snail - Moon | 4,104 | hand picking | 2 |
| Snail - other | 4,104 | hand picking | 75 |
| Whelks | 4,104 | 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 | Clams - No person shall retain a Manila Clam or Littleneck Clam smaller than 35 mm, nor a Butter Clam smaller than 55 mm. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Area descriptions
| Closure | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 Humpback Bay, Porcher Island | 4.1.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Humpback Bay, Porcher Island, inside a line drawn from the point at the western shore at 54°04.88'north latitude and 130°23.15' west longitude, east to the opposite shore at 54°04.90' north latitude and 130°23.07' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 4.2 Hunt Inlet, Porcher Island | 4.2.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Hunt Inlet, Porcher Island, inside a line drawn from the headland at the western entrance to the inlet at 54°04.60' north latitude and 130°26.98' west longitude, thence northeast to the headland on the opposite side at 54°04.88' north latitude and 130°26.83' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 4.3 Prince Rupert Harbour | 4.3.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Prince Rupert Harbour: bounded at the northwest entrance of the harbour by a line drawn from Observation Point at 54°20.14' north latitude and 130°27.68' west longitude southeasterly across Venn Passage to a point on land west of Auriol Point on Digby Island at 54°19.72' north latitude and 130°26.54' west longitude; bounded at the northeast entrance of the harbour by a line drawn from a point on land at 54°21.49' north latitude and 130°16.97' west longitude due east to a point on land at 54°21.54' north latitude and 130°15.60' west longitude, thence southerly along the shoreline to a point of land at 54°16.08' north latitude and 130°13.86' west longitude, thence southwesterly to a point on land at 54°15.57' north latitude and 130°15.36' west longitude; and bounded at the southern entrance of the harbour by a line drawn from Lima Point at 54°14.11' north latitude and 130°22.67' west longitude southeasterly to a red buoy (designated D18) located directly south of Kitson Island at 54°09.85' north latitude and 130°19.19' west longitude, thence northeasterly to a flashing light at Inverness Passage at 54°11.95' north latitude and 130°15.82' west longitude, thence northwesterly along the shoreline to a point of land at 54°14.03' north latitude and 130°17.95' west longitude, and thence southwesterly to a point of land on Ridley Island at 54°13.67' north latitude and 130°18.39' west longitude, except those waters west of a line drawn from a point of land on Digby Island east of Auriol Point at 54°19.75' north latitude and 130°25.75' west longitude southeasterly across Venn Passage to a flashing light marker on the opposite shore at 54°19.38' north latitude and 130°24.57' west longitude, thence southwesterly to a point of land on Digby Island at 54°18.98' north latitude and 130°24.96' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 4.5 West Digby Island, Chatham Sound | 4.5.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Chatham Sound within a radius of 880 m of the wastewater outfall terminus at 54°17.26' north latitude and 130°27.36' west longitude, extending northwesterly along the shore of Digby Island to 54°17.57' north latitude and 130°27.96' west longitude, and southeasterly along the shore of Digby Island to 54°16.91' north latitude and 130°26.82' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 4.6 Tuck Inlet, Prince Rupert | 4.6.png | The waters and intertidal foreshore of Tuck Inlet, in the vicinity of Prince Rupert Harbour, north of a line drawn from a point on land at 54°21.49' north latitude and 130°16.97' west longitude due east to a point on land at 54°21.54' north latitude and 130°15.60' west longitude, except the aquaculture tenure area located within 54°22.80' north latitude and 130°16.29' west longitude; 54°22.75' north latitude and 130°15.85' west longitude; 54°21.95' north latitude and 130°16.12' west longitude; 54°22.00' north latitude and 130°16.54' west longitude. [NAD83] |
| 4-2.A | 4-2.A.png | That portion of Subarea 4-2 north of a line from 54°10.534'N and 130°56.934'W to 54°10.534'N and 130°49.020'W. [NAD 83] |
| 4-2.B | 4-2.B.png | That portion of Subarea 4-2 south of a line from 54°10.534'N and 130°56.934'W to 54°10.534'N and 130°49.020'W. [NAD 83] |
| 4-5.A | 4-5.A.png | Those waters of Chatham Sound and adjacent waters inside a line that begins at 54°34.79?N 130°45.35?W [Dundas Island] to 54°34.10?N 130°42.45?W [Green Island Light], thence easterly to a point in water at 54°34.06?N 130°35.00?W, thence due south to a point on water at 54°21.80'N 130°35.00'W, thence due west to a point on land at 54°21.80'N 130°42.78'W [Deans Point], thence northerly following the eastern shoreline of Melville Island to a point on land at 54°24.72?N 130°43.14?W, thence northerly to a point on land at 54°25.17'N 130°43.85'W, thence northerly following the eastern shoreline of Dunira Island to a point on land at 54°28.36'N 130°46.63'W, thence northerly to a point on land at 54°28.36'N 130°47.42'W, thence northerly following the eastern shoreline of Baron Island to a point on land at 54°29.84'N 130°47.60'W, thence northerly to a point on land at 54°32.66'N 130°47.60'W [Dundas Island], thence northeasterly along the shoreline and back to the commencement point. |
| 4-5.B | 4-5.B.png | Those waters of Chatham Sound and adjacent waters inside a line that begins at 54°34.01'N 130°28.82'W [Fortune Point], thence southerly following the western shoreline of Finlayson Island to a point on land at 54°31.30?N 130°27.96?W, thence southerly to a point on land at 54°29.96'N 130°27.91'W [Mist Island], thence southerly following the western shoreline to a point on land at 54°29.38'N 130°27.75'W [Burnt Cliff Island], thence southerly to a point on land at 54°26.62?N 130°28.64?W [Trenham Point], thence southerly following the shoreline to a point on land at 54°21.81?N 130°29.22?W [Ryan Point], thence due west to a point in water at 54°21.80'N 130°35.00'W, thence due north to a point in water at 54°34.06"N 130°35.00'W, thence due east back to the commencement point. |
| 4-9.A | 4-9.A.png | That portion of Subarea 4-9 north of a line from 54°10.000'N and 130°41.406'W to 54°10.000'N and 130°23.800'W. [NAD 83] |
| 4-9.B | 4-9.B.png | That portion of Subarea 4-9 south of a line from 54°10.000'N and 130°41.406'W to 54°10.000'N and 130°23.800'W. [NAD 83] |
Last updated: 2025-05-09
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Coastwide |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Crab
Crab
- It is illegal to possess female Dungeness, King, Puget Sound King, Brown Box and Red Rock crabs. Female crabs must be released immediately. New
- Invasive European green crab
- Learn more about fishing for crab
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crab - Box | 4,104 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 1 | Open | |
| Crab - Dungeness | 4,104 | 165mm | dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap | 6 | Open |
| Crab - Dungeness, Red Rock and King combined | 4,104 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 6 | Open | |
| Crab - King | 4,104 | dip net, diving, ring net, trap | 2 | Open | |
| Crab - Puget Sound King | 4,104 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 1 | Open | |
| Crab - Red Rock | 4,104 | 115mm | dip net, diving, hand picking, ring net, trap | 6 | Open |
| Crab - Shore | 4,104 | hand picking | 75 | Open | |
| Crab - other | 4,104 | 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 | Porpoise Harbour and Wainwright Basin Crab Closed Area | Closed | That portion of Subarea 4-11 west of the Highway #16 bridge at Galloway Rapids, which includes Wainwright Basin, Porpoise Harbour, and Porpoise Channel. |
| 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 - Dungeness | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coastwide | ||
| Porpoise Harbour and Wainwright Basin Crab Closed Area | That portion of Subarea 4-11 west of the Highway #16 bridge at Galloway Rapids, which includes Wainwright Basin, Porpoise Harbour, and Porpoise Channel. |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Other invertebrates
Other invertebrates
- Basic information about shellfish harvesting
- Seasonal recreational harvesting closures for prawn and shrimp
Species regulations
Always check for restrictions.
| Species | Areas | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abalone | 4,104 | 0 | Closed | |
| Barnacles - Giant | 4,104 | diving | 6 | Open |
| Barnacles - Goose | 4,104 | hand picking | 2kg | Open |
| Invertebrates - all other species | 4,104 | 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 | 4,104 | hand picking | 75 | Open |
| Octopus | 4,104 | angling, hand picking, hand picking while diving, trap | 1 | Open |
| Sand Dollar | 4,104 | hand picking | 6 | Open |
| Sea Cucumber | 4,104 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 12 | Open |
| Sea Star or Starfish | 4,104 | diving, hand picking | 6 | Open |
| Sea Urchin | 4,104 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 12 | Open |
| Shellfish - all other species | 4,104 | angling, dip net, hand digging, hand picking, hand picking while diving, hand pump, ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap | 20 | Open |
| Shrimp - Ghost | 4,104 | hand digging, hand pump | 50 | Open |
| Shrimp including prawn | 4,104 | ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap | 125 | Open |
| Squid - Opal | 4,104 | cast net, jigging | 200 | Open |
| Squid - all other species | 4,104 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4-1 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Dunira |
| 4-2 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Stephens Island |
| 4-3 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Porcher Peninsula |
| 4-5 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Hodgson Reefs |
| 4-9 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Gull Rocks North |
| Gull Rocks South | ||
| 104-3 | Rockfish Conservation Area | Porcher Peninsula |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
Area descriptions
| Area | Map | Area description |
|---|---|---|
| Dunira | Dunira | Those waters of Subarea 4-1 that lie inside a line that: begins at 54°24.148'N 130°55.265'W south tip of Connel Islands then to 54°25.550'N 130°50.100'W Farwest Point then following the southerly shoreline of Dunira Island to 54°25.167'N 130°43.853'W Dunira Island then to 54°24.720'N 130°43.135'W Melville Island then following the northerly shoreline of Melville Island to 54°22.300'N 130°47.000'W Melville Island then to 54°19.600'N 130°58.200'W in water then to the beginning point. |
| Gull Rocks North | Gull Rocks North | Those waters of Subarea 4-9 that lie inside a line that: begins at 54°11.300'N 130°34.600'W in water then to 54°11.300'N 130°32.300'W in water then to 54°10.300'N 130°30.400'W in water then to 54°10.300'N 130°33.900'W in water then to the beginning point. |
| Gull Rocks South | Gull Rocks South | Those waters of Subarea 4-9 that lie inside a line that: begins at 54°09.800'N 130°33.500'W in water then to 54°09.800'N 130°29.300'W in water then to 54°08.400'N 130°26.400'W in water then to 54°07.700'N 130°28.900'W in water then to 54°07.700'N 130°31.900'W in water then to the beginning point. |
| Hodgson Reefs | Hodgson Reefs | Those waters of Subarea 4-5 that lie inside a line that: begins at 54°23.900'N 130°32.600'W in water then true east to the shore, then southerly following the shoreline to the intercept with the parallel passing through 54°22.450' north latitude, then to 54°22.450'N 130°32.600'W in water then to the beginning point. |
| Porcher Peninsula | Porcher Peninsula | Those waters of Subareas 4-3, 5-11, 5-12, and 104-3 that lie inside a line that: begins at 53°54.400'N 130°51.500'W in water then to 53°54.600'N 130°43.900'W Fan Point then southerly following the shoreline of Porcher Peninsula to 53°50.235'N 130°39.577'W Porcher Peninsula then to 53°49.100'N 130°41.600'W in water then to the beginning point. |
| Stephens Island | Stephens Island | Those waters of Subarea 4-2 that lie inside a line that: begins at 54°05.700'N 130°54.700'W in water then to 54°05.700'N 130°45.000'W in water then to 54°02.545'N 130°42.658'W north tip of William Island then to 54°01.525'N 130°42.867'W south tip of William Island then to 54°00.000'N 130°44.900'W in water then to 54°00.000'N 130°52.000'W in water then to the beginning point. |
Last updated: 2025-05-06
- Date modified: