Dean River
Dean River is a 285 km stream in British Columbia’s Cariboo region (management unit 5-12), beside the community of Nimpo Lake. It lies about 166 km southwest of the district municipality of Vanderhoof and 182 km west of Quesnel. Seasonal or area closures apply, and classified-water areas or seasons require an extra licence.
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Regulations
Waterbody-specific regulationDean RiverClassified waterView details
Default regulations
Region 5 default regulationsGeneral Regulations3 rulesView details
Spring closure: No fishing in any stream in Fraser River Watershed of Region 5 (including the Thompson River Watershed) from Apr 1-June 30, EXCEPT the mainstem of the Fraser River and other streams listed in the tables. See definition of “streams” on page 80.
Single barbless hook: must be used in all streams of Region 5, all year.
Size limit: There is no minimum size in lakes (see tables for exceptions).
Region 5 default regulationsRegion 5 Daily Quotas7 rulesView details
Trout/char: 5, but not more than
- 1 over 50 cm
- 2 from streams
- 1 Dolly Varden/bull trout
- 2 lake trout
And you must release:
- ALL STEELHEAD
- Lake trout, Oct 1-Nov 30
- Bull trout (Dolly Varden) from streams, Aug 1-Oct 31
Bass: 0 quota, CLOSED TO ALL FISHING
Burbot: 5
Kokanee: 5 (none from streams)
Whitefish: 15 (all species combined)
White Sturgeon: CLOSED TO ALL FISHING in the Fraser River Watershed upstream of Williams Lake River.
CATCH AND RELEASE in the Fraser River Watershed downstream of and including Williams Lake River.
CLOSED TO ALL FISHING in the Fraser River downstream of and including Williams Lake River Sept 15-July 15.
Region 5 default regulationsPossession Quotas1 ruleView details
Possession quotas = 2 daily quotas (see tables for exceptions)
Region 5 default regulationsDaily & Annual Quotas for Salmon1 ruleView details
Please refer to the NOTICE on page 77 for Salmon Regulations.
Region 5 default regulationsSteelhead fishing1 ruleView details
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 7 for details.
Region 5 default regulationsSteelhead Management Changes1 ruleView details
In response to declining abundance of Fraser Basin steelhead, steelhead fisheries within the Chilcotin River Watershed may be closed.
Region 5 default regulationsDean River Classified Waters1 ruleView details
All anglers are required to buy a Classified Waters Licence to fish the classified portions of the Dean River (see Table for specific areas and dates). There are no limits on the number of days which a Canadian resident may fish the classified sections of the Dean River.
A Non-Resident Alien (see definition, page 80) is allowed only one Classified Waters Licence for the Dean River, and may only fish one classified section of the Dean River (see map page 44) for a maximum of 8 consecutive days per year regardless of whether guided or unguided. A non-guided Non-Resident Alien wishing to fish the Class I - Main Section of the Dean River, from Crag Creek to signs 500 m upstream the canyon, must enter an annual limited entry draw held each spring. For an application, please visit our website at www.gov.bc.ca/fish-licence.
Region 5 default regulationsNotice to Anglers2 rulesView details
The following waters ARE CLOSED TO ALL FISHING:
- Chilcotin River downstream of Chilko River from October 1 through June 10.
Sport fishing openings will be announced in-season, if scientific information suggests that abundance is adequate to support a fishery. This management approach is in response to depressed steelhead abundance. The short term strategy is to meet conservation objectives by minimizing the incidental mortalities associated with sports and commercial fisheries.
It is illegal to fish for bass in the Cariboo Region. This measure is part of B.C.’s management approach to illegal fish introductions. For details, see page 74.
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