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BC tidal areas 9 and 109 - Rivers Inlet: Recreational fishing limits, openings and closures

You’re responsible for understanding the regulations and restrictions that may affect an open fishery.

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 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) 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.
    • (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.
  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 maps

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 9: Download a printable PDF version of this map.

Area 109: 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 on your paper licence, your NRLS catch log or the FishingBC app catch log.
  • Learn more about fishing for salmon

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Min size Gear Limits
(d/p/a)
Status
Chinook salmon 9 45cm Barbless Hook & Line 2/4/10 Open (See Restrictions)
109 45cm Barbless Hook & Line 2/4/10 Open (See Restrictions)
Chum salmon 9,109 30cm Barbless Hook & Line 4/8/- Open (See Restrictions)
Coho salmon (hatchery and wild combined) 9,109 30cm Barbless Hook & Line 4/8/- Open (See Restrictions)
Pink salmon 9,109 30cm Barbless Hook & Line 4/8/- Open (See Restrictions)
Sockeye salmon 9,109 Barbless Hook & Line 0/0/- Closed

Last updated: 2024-10-01 02:30:12

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Salmon Coastwide Combined Daily Limit Pieces 4 - The daily limit for all species of Pacific salmon from tidal and fresh waters combined is 4. Individual species limits also apply.
Coastwide Possession Limit Pieces 8 - The possession limit for all salmon from all waters is twice the daily limit. You cannot possess more than eight salmon in total, except for salmon that are at your ordinary residence.
Chinook salmon Coastwide Reminder Keeping your chinook salmon? 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.
9,109 Annual Limit Pieces 10 - The coastwide total annual limit for chinook salmon is 10 from all tidal waters that are open to chinook retention.
Coho salmon (hatchery) Coastwide Reminder Hatchery coho (marked): Coho salmon with a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

Last updated: 2024-10-01 02:30:04

Area descriptions

There is no information to display at this time

Last updated: 2024-10-01 02:30:04

Other finfish

Finfish other than salmon

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Min size Gear Limits
(d/p/a)
Status
Herring 9,109 Cast Net, Dip Net, Herring Jig, Herring Rake 20kg/40kg/- Open (See Restrictions)
Eulachon 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Mackerel 9,109 Cast Net, Dip Net, Herring Jig, Hook and Line 100/200/- Open
Northern anchovy 9,109 Cast Net, Dip Net, Herring Jig, Herring Rake 20kg/40kg/- Open
Other finfish species 9,109 Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving 20/40/- Open
Pacific sand lance 9,109 Cast Net, Dip Net, Herring Jig, Herring Rake 5kg/10kg/- Open
Pacific sardine 9,109 Cast Net, Dip Net, Herring Jig, Herring Rake 100/200/- Open
Surf smelt 9,109 Dip Net, Gill Net 20kg/40kg/- Open
Tuna, Albacore 9,109 Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving 20/40/- Open
Tuna, All other species 9,109 Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving 20/40/- Open
Codfish 9,109 Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving 8/16/- Open (See Restrictions)
Greenling 9,109 Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving 3/6/- Open
Halibut 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Lingcod 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Perch 9,109 Hook and Line 8/16/- Open (See Restrictions)
Rockfish, All species combined 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Rockfish, Yelloweye 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Sablefish 9,109 Hook and Line 4/8/- Open
Sculpin 9,109 Hook and Line 8/16/- Open (See Restrictions)
Shark, All other species excluding dogfish 9,109 Hook and Line 0/0/0 Non-retention
Shark, Basking 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Shark, Blue 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Shark, Bluntnose 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Shark, Brown Cat 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Shark, Great White 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Shark, Salmon 9,109 Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving 1/2/- Open
Shark, Sixgill 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Shark, Tope 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Skate 9,109 Hook and Line 1/2/- Open
Sole/Flounder 9,109 Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving 8/16/- Open
Spiny dogfish 9,109 Hook and Line, Spear Fishing while diving 4/8/- Open
Sturgeon 9,109 Hook and Line 0/0/0 Non-retention
Trout (hatchery and wild combined) 9,109 30cm Hook and Line 2/4/- Open (See Restrictions)
Trout (hatchery) 9,109 30cm Hook and Line 2/4/- Open (See Restrictions)
Trout (wild) 9,109 30cm Hook and Line 2/4/- Open (See Restrictions)
Wolf eel 9,109 Hook and Line 0/0/0 Non-retention

Last updated: 2024-11-16 00:15:54

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Herring 9,109 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 Reminder As a Condition of Licence, the possession limit for halibut is EITHER of: one (1) halibut measuring 85 cm to 126 cm in length (65 cm to 97 cm head-off), OR two (2) halibut, each measuring under 85 cm in length (65 cm head-off). No person shall retain a halibut greater than 126 cm head-on length (97 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 Maximum Length Head On (cm) 126 cm - The maximum overall length for halibut is 126 cm head-on, or 97 cm head-off.
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, All species combined Coastwide Reminder Rockfish - 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.
9,109 Combined Daily Limit Pieces 2 The aggregate recreational daily limit for wild and hatchery trout combined is two (2).
Trout (hatchery) 9,109 Daily Limit Pieces 1 The recreational daily Limit for Hatchery Trout over 50cm is one (1) per day; the recreational daily Limit for Hatchery Trout under or equal to 50cm is two (2) per day.
Trout (wild) 9,109 Maximum Size (cm) 50 cm - the recreational daily limit for Wild Trout of 50 cm or less remains two (2) per day; The recreational daily limit for Wild Trout over 50 cm is zero (0).

Last updated: 2024-11-16 00:05:23

Area descriptions

There is no information to display at this time

Last updated: 2024-11-16 00:05:23

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.
  2. If no contamination closures are in effect, check species regulations and additional harvest restrictions.
  3. Littleneck, Manila and butter clams are subject to a minimum size limit. See below under restrictions for more information on clam size limits.
  4. 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)
9-1 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-2 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-3 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-4 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-5 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-6 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-7 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-8 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-9 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-10 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-11 Closed to All Bivalve Species
9-12 Closed to All Bivalve Species
109 Closed to All Bivalve Species

Last updated: 2024-09-27 10:40:30

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Gear Limits
(d/p/a)
Clams, All 9,109 0/0/0
9,109 0/0/0
Cockles 9,109 0/0/0
Geoduck 9,109 0/0/0
Mussel, Blue 9,109 0/0/0
Mussel, California 9 0/0/0
9,109 0/0/0
Oyster, Olympia 9,109 0/0/0
Oyster, Pacific 9,109 0/0/0
Scallop, All species 9,109 0/0/0
Scallop, Weathervane 9,109 0/0/0
9,109 0/0/0
Snail, Moon 9,109 Hand Picking 2/4/-
Snail, Other 9,109 Hand Picking 75/150/-

Last updated: 2024-04-01 06:08:43

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Bivalve Species 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 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.
Clams, All 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, Pacific 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: 2024-04-01 06:08:44

Area descriptions

There is no information to display at this time

Last updated: 2024-09-27 10:40:30

There is no information to display at this time

Last updated: 2024-04-01 06:08:44

Crab

Crab

Maps

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Min size Gear Limits
(d/p/a)
Status
Box and Puget Sound King crab 9,109 Dip Net, Hand Picking, Ring Net, Traps (Crab) 1/2/- Open (See Restrictions)
Dungeness crab 9,109 165mm Dip Net, Hand Picking, Ring Net, Traps (Crab) 6/12/- Open (See Restrictions)
King crab 9,109 Dip Net, Hand Picking, Ring Net, Traps (Crab) 2/4/- Open (See Restrictions)
Other crab 9,109 Dip Net, Hand Picking, Ring Net, Traps (Crab) 4/8/- Open (See Restrictions)
Red Rock crab 9,109 115mm Dip Net, Hand Picking, Ring Net, Traps (Crab) 6/12/- Open (See Restrictions)
Shore crab 9,109 Hand Picking 75/150/- Open (See Restrictions)

Last updated: 2024-08-30 11:19:06

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Crab Coastwide Gear Restriction Trap Identification - 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 Gear Restriction Crab traps are required to have two unobstructed circular escape holes or rings, measuring a minimum of 105 mm in diameter
Coastwide Gear Restriction Crab, Prawn and Shrimp Floats - 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. 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 Gear Restriction Rot Cord - 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 Gear Restriction 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 Gear Restriction Gear Permitted 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.
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.
Crab 9,109 Reminder Combined daily limit for Dungeness crab, red rock crab, box crab, Puget Sound king crab and all other king crab is 6.
Johnston Bay Crab Closed
9-5 to 9-9 Closed
King crab Coastwide Sex Restriction It is prohibited to possess female King crab
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.
Dungeness crab 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.
Sex Restriction It is prohibited to possess female Dungeness crab
Red Rock crab 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.
Sex Restriction It is prohibited to possess female Red Rock crab

Last updated: 2024-08-30 11:19:09

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Johnston Bay Crab That portion of Subarea 9-3 (Johnston Bay): Those waters of Rivers Inlet inside a line that begins at 51°30.4'N 127°32.2'W, then to 51°30.5'N 127°31.5'W, following the southerly shoreline back to the beginning point.

Last updated: 2024-08-30 11:19:09

Other invertebrates

Other invertebrates

Species regulations

Always check for restrictions.

Species Areas Gear Limits
(d/p/a)
Status
Abalone 9,109 0/0/0 Closed
Barnacles, Giant 9,109 Hand Picking 6/12/- Open (See Restrictions)
Barnacles, Goose 9,109 Hand Picking 2kg/4kg/- Open (See Restrictions)
Limpet 9,109 Hand Picking 75/150/- Open (See Restrictions)
Octopus 9,109 Diving, Hand Picking, Hook and Line, Trap (Other species of Shellfish) 1/2/- Open (See Restrictions)
Other shellfish species 9,109 20/40/- Open (See Restrictions)
Sand Dollar 9,109 Hand Picking 6/12/- Open (See Restrictions)
Sea Cucumber 9,109 Diving, Hand Picking 12/24/- Open (See Restrictions)
Sea Urchin 9,109 Diving, Hand Picking 12/24/- Open (See Restrictions)
Shrimp, Ghost 9,109 Hand Digging, Hand Pump 50/100/- Open (See Restrictions)
Shrimp/Prawn 9,109 Ring Net, Spear, Trap (Other species of Shellfish) 125/250/- Open (See Restrictions)
Squid, All other species 9,109 Cast Net, Jigging 20/40/- Open (See Restrictions)
Squid, Opal 9,109 Cast Net, Jigging 200/400/- Open (See Restrictions)
Starfish sea star 9,109 Hand Picking 6/12/- Open (See Restrictions)

Last updated: 2024-10-17 11:56:14

Restrictions

Always check for protected areas.

Species Areas Measure type Measure value
Other Invertebrates Coastwide Gear Restriction Rot Cord - 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 Gear Restriction Trap Identification - 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.
Reminder Combined daily limit for all shrimp species, including prawn, is 125
Other Invertebrates Coastwide Gear Restriction 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.
Octopus Coastwide Gear Restriction The use of sharp pointed instruments or chemicals is prohibited.
Shrimp/Prawn Coastwide Gear Restriction Maximum 4 traps or ring nets or combination of these per fisher.
Coastwide Gear Restriction Crab, Prawn and Shrimp Floats - 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. 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 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: 2024-08-30 11:26:16

Area descriptions

There is no information to display at this time

Last updated: 2024-08-30 11:26:16

Protected areas

Protected areas

Learn about permanent restrictions that are in effect:

Area Type Closure name
9-12 Rockfish Conservation Area Fish Egg Inlet

Last updated: 2022-08-05 15:24:50

Area descriptions

Area Map Area description
Fish Egg Inlet Fish_Egg_Inlet.png Those waters of Fish Egg Inlet in Subarea 9-12 that lie easterly of a line From 51°37.400'N 127°47.500'W To 51°36.625'N 127°46.950'W except that portion of Elizabeth Lagoon that lies westerly of the meridian passing through 127°48.500' west longitude.

Last updated: 2022-08-05 15:24:50

Date modified: