Kettle and West Kettle Rivers (including tributaries) proposed angling regulations

This proposal is now closed for comments.

Summary: Extension of in-season closure on the Kettle and West Kettle Rivers (including tributaries)

Status: Proposed

Region: 8, Okanagan

Management unit (MU): 8-12, 8-13 and 8-14

Regulation type: Season and quota

Species: All species

Closing date: January 17, 2025

Decision statement: Pending

Current regulation:

Kettle River:

• Exempt from spring closure
• No Fishing from July 25 to August 25
• Bait ban from April 1 to October 31
• Rainbow trout release year round

Kettle River's Tributaries:

• Bait ban

West Kettle River:

• Exempt from spring closure
• No Fishing from July 25 to August 25
• Bait ban from April 1 to October 31
• Rainbow trout release year round

West Kettle River's Tributaries:

• Bait ban

Proposed regulation:

Kettle River:

• Exempt from spring closure
• No Fishing from July 25 to September 15
• Bait ban from April 1 to October 31
• Rainbow Trout quota is zero

Kettle River's Tributaries:

• Exempt from spring closure
• No Fishing from July 25 to September 15
• Bait ban
• Rainbow Trout quota is zero

West Kettle River:

• Exempt from spring closure
• No fishing from July 25 to September 15
• Bait ban from April 1 to October 31
• Rainbow Trout release year round

West Kettle River's Tributaries: 

• Exempt from spring closure
• No Fishing from July 25 to September 15
• Bait ban
• Rainbow Trout release year round

Rationale:

A combination of early snowmelt, lack of precipitation, and escalating warm weather conditions has resulted in an increased frequency and duration of drought conditions over the past 5 years. The Kettle River Basin has reached a drought level of 4 to 5 annually since 2020.There is a regional interest in seeing more conservative regulations on the Kettle River to ensure the stream meets maximum angling quality potential and to encourage responsible use of fish.