Fishing, Licensing and Regulations


Non-Native Fish (Bass, Black Crappie, Carp and Others)

Bass fishing in the United States is very popular, even just across the border in Washington State. In the US, this sport also supports professional tournament anglers.

Largemouth bass, black crappie and common carp are also found throughout the Lower Mainland and can provide exciting fisheries. Some local anglers and visitors to the region enjoy fishing for these species. However, non-native fish such as these are very invasive and can have devastating effects on our freshwater environment, threatening our world class native fisheries.

In the Lower Mainland Region, there are at least 11 established non-native fish species, and there are more than 50 waterbodies with predatory largemouth bass. The region plans to primarily manage non-native fish populations in the future through the fisheries they support, by varying limits and openings depending upon the management objectives for the population and on the risks to native fisheries or other native aquatic species. The region will also strictly manage these growing non-native fish populations to control their spread through education and enforcement.

Visit the following websites for additional information on non-native species management:



Bullhead

Visit the following websites for additional information on non-native fishing in the region:

© Tony Pletcher, courtesy of Fisheries & Oceans Canada