Introduction
Each
year the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection stocks trout
in many lakes in the Vancouver Island Region. This brochure lists
all lakes stocked on Vancouver Island for the past 6 years, with
information on species, numbers and life stages of the fish stocked.
Consult
the B.C. Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (available where
you purchase your angling licence or B.C. Government Agents) for catch
and possession limits and special regulations that apply to certain
specific lakes.
How to Read the Lake Stocking List
The Vancouver Island
lakes stocked with trout are listed in alphabetical order. Entries
appear for each year the lakes were stocked. Stocking details are
entered as follows: species code, number stocked, life stage, as
in the example below.
CT 1000 YE
Species
Code |
Number
Stocked |
Life
Stage Code |
CT = cutthroat
trout |
number
of fish stocked |
CA = catchable |
RT = rainbow
trout |
during
a given year |
YE = yearling |
ST = steelhead
trout |
|
FG = fall
fingerling |
|
|
PA = parr |
|
|
FR = fry |
Trout Stocking List
When will these fish reach catchable size ?
CA - immediately
after stocking
YE - 4 to 6 months
after stocking
FG - 1 year after
stocking
PA - 1 ½ to 2 years
after stocking
FR - 2 years after
stocking
Releasing Fish the Gentle Way
Anglers are encouraged
to practice "catch and release" in our lakes. A fish that
appears unharmed when released may not survive if carelessly handled
so please abide by the following guidelines:
- Play and release fish
as rapidly as possible. A fish played too long may not recover
- Keep fish in the water
as much as possible. A fish out of water is suffocating. Internal
injuries and scale loss are much more likely to occur out of water.
- Use pliers or forceps
to unhook fish. Grip the bend of the hook with the pliers, twist
them upside down and the hook will dislodge. Be quick and gentle.
Barbless hooks are recommended. If the hook is deep in the mouth,
cut the leader and leave the hook in.
- If you do handle the
fish, do so with bare, wet hands. Gloves damage the mucous coating
on the fish"s skin and make it vulnerable to infection. Keep your
fingers out of the gills and do not squeeze the fish or cause
scale loss. If the fish is to be photographed, support it with
your hands and return it to the water quickly. Let the fish revive
in your hands while moving it gently back and forth in the water.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Angling Regulations
What are the Licencing
Requirements (highlights) ?
- If you are 16 years
of age or older you must have a current angling licence
- If you are under 16
years of age and a resident of B.C. then you do not need an angling
licence
- You must carry your
licence with you when you fish
What are Allowable
Fishing Methods in Lakes ?
- You are allowed to
angle with one line and one lure, artificial fly, or other terminal
tackle. Snagging is illegal
- If you are fishing
alone in a boat you may use 2 lines
What Bait Restrictions
Apply in Lakes ?
- In the majority of
Vancouver Island lakes, bait may be used all year.
- There are certain
specific lakes with bait restrictions. Please check the Freshwater
Fishing Regulations Synopsis for specific information
What Gear Restrictions
Apply in Lakes ?
- In the majority of
Vancouver Island lakes there are no restrictions on the type of
lures or hooks you may use (e.g. treble hook lures).
- There are certain
specific lakes with gear restrictions. Please check the Freshwater
Fishing Regulations Synopsis for specific information
What Catch Quotas
Apply in Lakes ?
- The daily quota for
trout and char in most Vancouver Island lakes is 4 fish in total.
Only 1 of these may be over 50 cm length
- The daily quota for
kokanee in lakes is 25
- The daily quota for
smallmouth bass is 4 (none from April 15 to June 15)
- There are certain
specific lakes with quota restrictions. Please check the Freshwater
Fishing Regulations Synopsis for specific information
How do I know if a Lake has Special Regulations or not?
- Each Region of the
Province has a set of tables in the Regulations Synopsis that
lists the special regulations for specific bodies of water in
that Region. If the water body you are planning to fish is not
listed in the Regional Tables, then there are no specific restrictions
on it and the regulations general to the Province and the Region
apply.
THE ABOVE ARE ANSWERS
TO ONLY A FEW OF THE COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FISHING REGULATIONS.
REMEMBER, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LAKES IN THE VANCOUVER ISLAND REGION
THAT HAVE SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE CHECK THE FRESHWATER FISHING
REGULATIONS SYNOPSIS BEFORE YOU FISH.
Trout
Stocking List
|