Region 3 Fishing Regulations – Thompson-Nicola

Spring closure: No Fishing in any stream in Region 3 from Jan 1-June 30 (see tables for exceptions). See definition of “streams” on page 80.

Single barbless hook: must be used in all streams of Region 3, all year.

Steelhead fishing: Your basic licence must be validated with a Steelhead Conservation Surcharge Stamp if you fish for steelhead anywhere in B.C. In addition, a Steelhead Stamp is mandatory when fishing most Classified Waters regardless of the species being angled for. Please see page 6 for details.

Trout/char: 5, but not more than:

• 4 from streams
• 1 over 50 cm
• 1 bull trout (Dolly Varden) or lake trout, none under 60 cm

And you must release:

• ALL STEELHEAD
• Bull trout (Dolly Varden) from streams, Aug 1-Oct 31
• Lake trout from Oct 15-Jan 31

Bass: 0 quota, CLOSED TO FISHING

Burbot: 2

Crayfish: 25

Kokanee: 5 (none from streams)

Whitefish: 15 (all species combined)

White Sturgeon: CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY

Yellow Perch: 0 quota, CLOSED TO FISHING

Possession quotas = 2 daily quotas (See tables for exceptions)

Annual catch quota for Shuswap Lake (per licence year):

• Rainbow trout: 5 over 50 cm
• Char-Lake trout and Bull trout (Dolly Varden): 5 over 60 cm

Please refer to the NOTICE on page 77 for salmon regulations.

In response to low abundance of steelhead in the Thompson-Nicola Region, steelhead fisheries in the following waters, and during the following times, are closed:

• Thompson River: downstream of signs at Kamloops Lake outlet to the confluence with Fraser River, Oct 1-May 31 (see tables for exceptions)
• Fraser River: from Hwy 99 bridge at Lillooet to BC Hydro tail race outflow channel, Oct 1-May 31; and from the confluence with Thompson River to CNR Bridge approximately 1 km downstream, Oct 1-May 31
• Nahatlatch River downstream of Nahatlatch Lake and Stein River: from Jan 1-May 31
• Frances and Hannah lakes: from Jan 1-May 31
• Seton River downstream of Seton Lake: from Apr 1-May 31

It is illegal to fish for bass or perch in the Thompson-Nicola Region. This measure is part of B.C.’s management approach to illegal fish introductions. For details, see page 74.