Sooke River salmon fishers:
The designated tidal boundary is located at the Sooke River Bridge. This means that Freshwater Fishing Regulations apply upstream of the bridge and Tidal Water Fishing Regulations apply downstream of the bridge.
Upstream of the Sooke River Bridge (designated non-tidal) a Non-Tidal Angling Licence is required;
• you may fish for salmon, but all must be released in the least harmful manner;
• fly fishing only below the Sooke River Falls from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 inclusive;
• there is a “no fishing” area from the base of the lower potholes falls to signs approx. 100 metres downstream.
Downstream of the Sooke River Bridge (designated tidal) including Sooke Harbour and Basin
• A Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licence is required;
• the daily limit of chum salmon is four;
• the daily limit of coho salmon is two, hatchery only through Sept. 20, 2012;
• A hatchery marked coho salmon has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin; the andipose fin is the fleshy appendage found on salmon between the dorsal fin and the tail.
• Effective Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2012, the daily limit of coho will be two, only one of which will be wild;
• the combined daily limit of all permitted salmon is four.
• non-retention of chinook salmon through Oct. 15, 2012 to allow the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society to obtain brood stock;
• Single barbless hook is required while fishing for salmon downstream of the Sooke River Bridge including Sooke Harbour and basin (sub-areas 20-6 and 20-7) until Dec. 31, 2012. The hook must measure no more than 15 mm from point to shank. It is illegal to wilfully hook (snag) salmon.
