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Waterbody record1-9

Gold River

Gold River is a roughly 58 km stream in British Columbia’s Vancouver Island region, with the village of Gold River beside it and about 49 km west of Campbell River. Special regulations include seasonal or area closures and boating restrictions in some areas or seasons.

British ColumbiaStreamMU 1-949.87509, -126.09102

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Regulations

Waterbody-specific regulationGold River
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Rule
No Fishing upstream of the Muchalat River (see river specific regulations for Muchalat River) No Fishing downstream of the Muchalat River, Dec 1-Aug 15, but not including the Muchalat or Heber Rivers (see river specific regulations for those waters) No Fishing between the cascade falls (located approximately 6.5 km upstream of Muchalat Inlet, UTM 709137E, 5512420N) and fishing boundary signs approximately 80 m downstream No powered boats
Last updated: Apr 01, 2025 · Synopsis page 16 · PDF page 18 · Current BC updates

Default regulations

Region 1 default regulationsGeneral Regulations
3 rulesView details
  • Summer closure: No Fishing in any stream in Management Units 1-1 to 1-6 from July 15-Aug 31 (see water specific regulations table for exceptions).

  • Single barbless hook: must be used in all streams of Region 1, all year.

  • Bait ban: applies to all streams of Region 1, all year, with some important exceptions. Check the tables.

Region 1 default regulationsRegion 1 Daily Quotas (excluding Haida Gwaii)
8 rulesView details
  • Trout: 4, but not more than

    • 1 over 50 cm (2 hatchery steelhead over 50 cm allowed, see table for exceptions)
    • 2 from streams (must be hatchery)
  • And you must release:

    • All wild steelhead
    • All wild trout from streams
    • All char (includes Dolly Varden)
  • NOTE: There is no general minimum size limit for trout in lakes or hatchery origin trout in streams.

  • Bass: unlimited (see water specific regulations table for exceptions and mercury advisory on this page).

  • Crayfish: 25

  • Kokanee: 5 (none from streams)

  • White Sturgeon: catch and release only

  • Yellow perch: unlimited

Region 1 default regulationsPossession Quotas
1 ruleView details
  • Possession quotas = 2 daily quotas

Region 1 default regulationsAnnual Quotas
1 ruleView details
  • Annual catch quota for all B.C.: 10 steelhead per licence year (only hatchery steelhead may be retained in B.C.)

Region 1 default regulationsDaily & Annual Quotas for Salmon
1 ruleView details
  • Please refer to the NOTICE on page 77 for Salmon Regulations.

Region 1 default regulationsMercury Advisory
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  • Mercury levels in larger Smallmouth Bass in lakes on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands may be above national guidelines. Mercury levels tend to increase with the size of the fish and larger Smallmouth Bass generally have higher levels of mercury. The general public, especially children and women of child bearing age, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, are recommended to limit their consumption of Smallmouth Bass. More information on mercury in fish and fish consumption can be found in the HealthLinkBC Food Safety: Mercury in Fish at https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/avoiding-mercury-fish. It is advised to regularly check the online Freshwater Fishing Regulation Synopsis for more up-to-date information at www.gov.bc.ca/FishingRegulations.

Region 1 default regulationsWild Trout Release: All streams regulation
1 ruleView details
  • Anglers note there is a region wide regulation (excluding Haida Gwaii) requiring the release of all wild origin trout in streams. This regulation allows only hatchery origin trout in streams to be harvested. In Region 1, hatchery origin trout from streams can be distinguished from wild origin trout by the presence of a healed scar in place of the adipose fin. Please note, this regulation does not apply to lakes. For more information please contact regional fisheries staff at (250) 751-7220.

Last updated: Apr 01, 2025 · Synopsis page 13 · PDF page 15 · Current BC updates

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