Stellako River proposed angling regulation

This proposal is now closed for comments.

Summary: Stellako River shortening spring closure and keeping all other water-specific regulations

Status: Proposed

Region: 7a, Omineca

Management unit (MU): 7-12 and 7-13

Regulation type: Season

Species: All species

Closing date: January 17, 2025

Decision statement: Pending

Current regulation:

• No Fishing from November 15 to May 31
• Class II water when open (Steelhead Stamp not required)
• Rainbow trout release
• Fly fishing only between fishing boundary signs approximately 250 m and 4 km downstream of the bridge near the François Lake outlet
• No powered boats from François Lake to the falls

Proposed regulation:

• No Fishing from November 15 to May 14
• Class II water when open (Steelhead Stamp not required)
• Rainbow trout release
• Fly fishing only between fishing boundary signs approximately 250 m and 4 km downstream of the bridge near the François Lake outlet
• No powered boats from François Lake to the falls

Rationale:

Spring closures are in place on most streams as a precautionary fisheries management approach. These seasonal closures are motivated by concern about the vulnerability of overwintering and spawning trout, but also curtail potential opportunities for recreational stream fishers during a desirable time of year for outdoor recreation. The proposed earlier opening (by 2 weeks) addresses this trade-off with risks evaluated in recent study on Stellako River.