Fishery Notice

This notice advises fishers of the recreational Chinook fishing opportunities and  Chinook management measures, which include finfish closures, salmon non-retention areas, and Chinook non-retention areas for Area 21 (Nitinat), Area 22 (Nitinat Lake), Area 23 (Barkley Sound), and Area 24 (Clayoquot Sound) and associated offshore waters in Areas 121, 123 and 124 that are in effect July 15, 2026.

For all areas, any in-season changes or terminal opportunities based on abundance will be announced by subsequent Fishery Notice(s). Fishers are reminded to check the DFO website before they go fishing for current regulations in effect that day.

Unless otherwise specified below, the daily limit for Chinook is two (2) per day with a minimum size of 45 cm in Areas 21 to 24, 121, 123, and 124.

All management measures remain the same as in 2025.

Area 21 and 121

FINFISH CLOSURES:

SWIFTSURE BANK FINFISH CLOSURE (Area 121):

Effective January 1 until December 31 you may not fish for finfish in those portions of Subareas 121-1 and 121-2 inside a line from 48 degrees 34.00'N and 125 degrees 06.00'W, then to 48 degrees 34.00'N and 124 degrees 54.20'W, then to 48 degrees 29.62'N and 124 degrees 43.40'W, then following the International Boundary between Canada and the United States of America to 48 degrees 29.55'N and 124 degrees 56.20'W, then returning in a straight line to the point of commencement.

SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALE RECOVERY - SALMON FISHING CLOSURES

Recreational and commercial salmon closures are being implemented in Areas 21 and 121 to support Southern Resident Killer Whale recovery. A separate Fishery Notice will be provided in advance of the effective dates, but more information can be found at https://www.canada.ca/southern-resident-killer-whales. 

DAILY QUOTA AND SIZE RESTRICTION:

Effective July 15, 2026, until July 31, 2026, in Area 121, the daily limit is one (1) Chinook, with a minimum size limit of 45 cm, and a maximum size limit of 80 cm, excluding the finfish closures and no salmon fishing areas listed above.

Area 22 

FINFISH CLOSURES:

Effective August 1, 2026, until October 31, 2026, you may not fish for finfish in that portion of Area 22 (Nitinat Lake) northeasterly of a line from a boundary sign at Windy Point to a boundary sign on the opposite shore. This includes the tidal portions of the Nitinat River.

Area 23 and 123 

FINFISH CLOSURES: 

Year-round, you may not fish for finfish in that portion of Subarea 23-1 from the tidal boundary signs at the top of the rapids at Paper Mill Dam on the Somass River downstream to a line commencing in upper Alberni Harbour at 49°14.184'N and 124°50.302'W then through the southernmost point of Hoik Island then to the flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass River, then due east to the opposite shore at 49°14.279'N and 124°48.912'W. Square boundary signs may be present to delineate these boundary locations on the east and west shoreline in the Alberni Harbour. From 22:00 h until 05:00 h only.

Effective May 1, 2026, until September 30, 2026, you may not fish for finfish in that portion of Subarea 23-1 in the tidal portion of the Somass River located near the bottom of the rapids directly upstream of Paper Mill Dam Pool, downstream approximately 225 m to near the top end of the vegetated portion of the unnamed island downstream of Paper Mill Dam Pool and the southern end of Tseshaht Park Square boundary signs may be present to delineate these boundaries.

Effective June 30, 2026, until October 31, 2026, the following areas are closed to fishing for all finfish:

Uchucklesit / Alberni Inlet - That portion of Subarea 23-2 south of a line drawn from the light at Bilton Point easterly to a point near Coleman Creek at 49°00.341'N and 124°51.513'W, and that portion of subarea 23-3 north of a line drawn from the light at Chup Point easterly to Hissin Point at 48°57.453'N and 124°59.325'W. Square boundary signs may be present to delineate the boundaries at Coleman Creek and Hissin Point. 

Effective July 24, 2026, until September 30, 2026, you may not fish for finfish in that portion of Subarea 23-1 from the tidal boundary signs at the top of the rapids at Paper Mill Dam on the Somass River downstream to a line commencing in upper Alberni Harbour at 49°14.184'N and 124°50.302'W then through the southernmost point of Hoik Island then to the flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass River, then due east to the opposite shore at 49°14.279'N and 124°48.912'W. Square boundary signs may be present to delineate these boundary locations on the east and west shoreline in the Alberni Harbour.

Effective August 1, 2026, until September 30, 2026, the following areas are closed to fishing for all finfish:

Numukamis Bay - That portion of Subarea 23-4 inside a line drawn from a point located at 48°53.045'N and 125°02.860'W near the eastern entrance to Poett Nook Harbour to the light at San Jose Islets, then to a point on Vancouver Island east of the southern tip of Congreve Island located at 48°55.242'N and 125°01.193'W. Square boundary signs may be present to delineate the boundaries near Poett Nook Harbour and Congreve Island;

Nahmint Bay - That portion of Subarea 23-2 north of line drawn from the Headquarters Bay boat ramp located at approximately 49°02.534'N and 124°50.360'W near Chesnucknuw Creek, westerly to a point on the opposite shore located at 49° 02.417'N and 124° 51.708'W, and south of a line drawn from the light at Hocking Point to a point on the opposite shore located at 49°05.057'N and 124°49.354'W (square boundary signs may be present to delineate the boundaries across from Hocking Point and Chesnucknuw Creek); and

Toquart Bay - That portion of Subarea 23-10 shoreward of a line from a point on the Vancouver Island shoreline located at 49°01.162'N, 125°21.496'W then to the southern tip of Snowden Island then across to the southern tip of Refuge Island then to a point on the Vancouver Island shoreline located at 49°01.687'N and 125°18.535'W. Square boundary signs may be present to delineate the boundaries on the Vancouver Island shoreline.

Effective October 1, 2026, until October 31, 2026, the following areas are closed to fishing for all finfish:

That portion of Subarea 23-1 in the Somass River from a line drawn perpendicular to the flow of the river to both shore lines which passes through the green can buoy at the entrance to the Clutesi Marina boat ramp then downstream to a line drawn parallel with the power lines in the lower Somass River near the pulp mill; and

That portion of Subarea 23-1 in the Somass River from the upstream entrance to McCoy Pool, downstream to the Highway 4 Bridge crossing.

CHINOOK NON-RETENTION AREAS:

Effective August 1, 2026, until September 30, 2026, the following areas are Chinook non-retention areas:

Approach waters to the Nahmint River - That portion of Subarea 23-2, north of a line drawn from the light at Bilton Point easterly to a point near Coleman Creek at 49°00.341'N and 124°51.513'W, and south of a line drawn from Headquarters Bay boat ramp located at approximately 49° 02.534'N and 124° 50.360'W near Chesnucknuw Creek, westerly to a point on the opposite shore located at 49°02.417'N and 124°51.708'W. Square boundary signs may be present to delineate the boundaries at Coleman Creek and the point on the opposite shore of Chesnucknuw Creek.

Effingham Inlet - That portion of Subarea 23-6 north of a line drawn from a point on the Vancouver Island shoreline at 48°59.967' N and 125°11.564' W to the western tip of Webster Island, continuing along the shoreline to the northeastern tip of Webster Island, then across to a point on the Vancouver Island shoreline located at 49°00.298' N and 125°10.451'W. Square boundary signs may be present to delineate the east and west boundaries on the Vancouver Island shoreline.

DAILY QUOTA AND SIZE RESTRICTION:

Effective July 15, 2026, until July 31, 2026, in that portion of Area 123 seaward of the 1 nm Boundary Line, the daily limit is one (1) Chinook, with a minimum size limit of 45 cm, and a maximum size limit of 80 cm. The Boundary Line is approximately 1nm seaward of the surf line. For a full definition of the Boundary Line please see the bottom of this fisheries notice.

Area 24 and 124

FINFISH CLOSURES:

Year-round - Kennedy Cove - That portion of Subarea 24-12 described as the waters of Kennedy Cove inside/northwesterly of a line between two fishing boundary signs on the outer southwest corner and the outer northeast corner of the cove.

Effective August 1, 2026, until October 31, 2026, the following areas are closed to fishing for all finfish:

Subareas 24-1 to 24-5, 24-7, 24-12 to 24-14;

Ahousaht/Millar Channel - That portion of Subarea 24-6 northerly of a line commencing at Kutcous Point (49 degrees 14.961'N, and 126 degrees 04.817'W) on Flores Island to 49 degrees 14.637'N, and 126 degrees 00.825'W on Vancouver Island near the Chetarpe I.R.;

Browning Passage - That portion of Subarea 24-9 east of a line commencing at Ginnard Point (49 degrees 08.069'N, and 125 degrees 51.169'W) on Meares Island to 49 degrees 07.483'N, and 125 degrees 51.811'W on Vancouver Island, and westerly of a line commencing at Auseth Point continuing true south to the Vancouver Island 
shoreline;

Warn Bay - That portion of Subarea 24-10 inside a line between boundary signs at the entrance to the Warn Bay;

Grice Bay - That portion of Subarea 24-11 inside a line between boundary signs approximately half way inside Grice Bay to the head of Grice Bay; and

That portion of Subarea 124-3 approximately 1 nm seaward of the surf line beginning at Ahous Point, then to 49 degrees 10.280' N 126 degrees 04.790' W seaward of Blunden Island, then to 49 degrees 16.472' N 126 degrees 15.140' W seaward of Rafael Point, then to 49 degrees 20.008' N 126 degrees 17.188' W seaward of Sydney Inlet, then to 49 degrees 23.807' N 126 degrees 24.483' W seaward of Hesquiat Point, then to 49 degrees 21.620' N 126 degrees 28.478' W seaward of Matlahaw Point.

CHINOOK NON-RETENTION AREAS:

Effective August 1, 2026, until October 31, 2026, you may not retain Chinook salmon in the following waters:

That portion of Subarea 24-6 southerly of a line commencing at Kutcous Point (49 degrees 14.961N, and 126 degrees 04.817'W) on Flores Island to 49 degrees 14.637 N, and 126 degrees 00.825'W on Vancouver Island near the Chetarpe I.R.;

That portion of 24-8 shoreward of a line drawn from Cox Point to the Lennard Island light, to Echachis Island to Wickaninnish Island to Moser Point;

That portion of Subarea 24-9 westerly of a line commencing at Ginnard Point (49 degrees 08.069'N, and 125 degrees 51.169'W) on Meares Island to 49 degrees 07.483'N, and 125 degrees 51.811'W on Vancouver Island, and westerly of a line commencing at Auseth Point continuing true south to the Vancouver Island shoreline;

That portion of Subarea 24-10 outside or southwest of a line between boundary signs at the entrance to the Warn Bay; and

That portion of Subarea 24-11 outside or west a line between boundary signs approximately half way inside Grice Bay to the head of Grice Bay.

DAILY QUOTA AND SIZE RESTRICTION:

Effective July 15, 2026, to July 31, 2026, in that portion of Area 124 seaward of the 1 nm Boundary Line and southeast of the 124-3 finfish closure described above, the daily limit is two (2) Chinook, with a minimum size limit of 45 cm, and a maximum size limit of 80 cm.

Full description of the one (1) nautical mile boundary seaward of the surf line for Areas 123 and 124:

The Boundary Line is approximately 1nm seaward of the surf line and is defined as follows:

A line that begins at Pachena Point lighthouse at 48 degrees 43.327' N 125 degrees 05.855' W then to 48 degrees 42.456' N 125 degrees 06.583' W seaward of Pachena Point, then to 48 degrees 46.420' N 125 degrees 13.997' W seaward of Cape Beale, then to 48 degrees 54.572' N 125 degrees 33.622' W seaward of Amphitrite Point, then to 49 degrees 05.100' N 125 degrees 54.646' W seaward of Cox Point, then to 49 degrees 10.280' N 126 degrees 04.790' W seaward of Blunden Island, then to 49 degrees 16.472' N 126 degrees 15.140' W seaward of Rafael Point, then to 49 degrees 20.008' N 126 degrees 17.188' W seaward of Sydney Inlet, then to 49 degrees 23.807' N 126 degrees 24.483' W seaward of Hesquiat Point, then to 49 degrees 21.620' N 126 degrees 28.478' W seaward of Matlahaw Point, then to 49 degrees 22.113' N 126 degrees 33.508' W seaward of Estevan Point.

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Variation Orders: 2026-RFQ-295; 2026-RCT-293; 2026-GMB-126 

Coast-wide Recreational Fisheries:

For the recreational fishery, the annual aggregate limit for Chinook salmon is ten (10) in all tidal waters coast-wide, from the period of April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

Variation Order: 2026-RFQ-009 

NOTES AND REMINDERS:

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.

The term "marked", "hatchery marked", or "adipose fin clipped" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

All anglers must have a licence to fish in tidal waters in BC. Apply for your BC tidal waters recreational fishing licence and salmon conservation stamp at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/index-eng.html.

Anglers are advised to check: http://bcsportfishguide.ca for fishing closures and other recreational fishing information.

Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) are currently in effect and are closed to all fin-fishing.  Descriptions of RCAs and other closures such as finfish closed areas, salmon non-retention areas, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the internet at: 
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html

Fishers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from hatchery marked Chinook and Coho Salmon to head depots. The head-off measurement can be used by enforcement officers to assess compliance on size limits if you remove the head from Chinook or Coho. Recovery of microscopic coded-wire tags found inside hatchery marked Chinook and Coho heads provide critical information for coast-wide Salmon stock assessment programs. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at 1-866-483-9994 for further information.

Sport fishers are reminded of the importance of catch monitoring programs for recreational fisheries. As a condition of their BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence, fishers are required to provide complete and accurate information regarding their catch and fishing activities upon request of DFO creel surveyors stationed at marinas and boat launches. DFO Creel surveyors are designated authorities of Fisheries and Oceans Canada under s.61(5) of the Fisheries Act; please be respectful when asked to report catch and allow biological sampling. Refusal to report catch and/or harassment of creel surveyors will not be tolerated and may result in charges laid.
Internet Recreational Effort and Catch Reporting program (iREC): Sport Fishers are reminded that it is a condition of their BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence to complete their iREC report online before their reporting deadline. The assigned reporting period, the web address of the iREC reporting program, a unique access ID and the reporting deadline is printed on each adult licence. A report must be completed even if you did not fish during your reporting period, and also if you fished, even if you caught nothing. iREC reports are used to estimate recreational effort and kept and released catches of finfish and shellfish. For further information see FN0330 or contact the Sport Fishing Report Team at DFO.SportFishingReport-RapportPecheSportive.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. Management measures have been implemented to help address the key threats of reduced prey availability (primarily Chinook Salmon), and acoustic and physical disturbance. These measures include salmon fishery closures, Interim Sanctuary Zones that restrict vessels from entering (including fishing), Speed Restricted Zones that restrict vessels to a maximum of 10 knots in designated areas (including fishing), minimum approach distances and a number of voluntary measures including to stop fishing (do not haul gear) and reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 1,000 metres of killer whales and let them pass, and a voluntary speed reduction zone in Tumbo Channel.

For more information about the current SRKW management measures, please visit https://www.canada.ca/southern-resident-killer-whales or contact the Marine Mammal Team at DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. For more information on the best ways to help whales while on the water, please visit: bewhalewise.org.

If a marine mammal becomes entangled in fishing gear, fishers should immediately call the Observe, Record, Report (ORR) line at 1-800-465-4336. Fishers are advised not to attempt to free the animal of the fishing gear as this can pose a serious threat to the safety of the fisher and the animal. If your vessel strikes a whale, or if you observe a sick, injured, distressed, or dead marine mammal in B.C. waters, please contact the hotline immediately: 1-800-465-4336 or VHF Channel 16.

If you see a sea turtle, please call this toll-free phone number: 1-866-I SAW ONE (1-866-472-9663). Please include information such as the species of sea turtle seen (i.e. leatherback), the location and time of sighting. 

Report suspicious activity or violations by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or 604-607-4186 in greater Vancouver.

The 24-hour, toll-free information line for fishery notices regarding openings and closures is 1-866-431-3474 or 604-666-2828 in greater Vancouver.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0672
Sent July 8, 2026 at 1100

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on September 21, 2026 at 0614