Here's the result of the BC Steelhead questionnaire from the 10 years ending March 31, 2022. I recently submitted mine for 2023/24.

The last 10 years tells a story. Most of the parameters have dropped by half or more. Reporting has dropped from around 65  to 70% to 43%. Angling days have dropped by half. It's sort of scary what's happening and there is no sign it will get better. Locally participation still seems high and lots of anglers fish frequently through the season despite declining success. This is a typical behavior recognized in creel surveys throughout North America.

Used to be lots of carp, often big. I'd go with big lures for bass. Worms will likely get you lots of fish like sculpins/ bullheads. There used to be lots of brown bullheads (catfish) They have venomous spikes. Hurts like a bee sting so be careful.

I have a place there now and hope to fish a lot this summer. I assume it's mostly bass and panfish? Worm and a bobber?

Heading out on Saturday for a day trip near merrit. Any lake suggestions? Wanting to try a new lake
(not Marquart, Harmon, Paska or Lac le juene). Fly or gear available, looking for action (aren't we all  ) but prefer 16+ inch fish. Any suggestions? 2WD only. Feel free to message me privately if you want. Thanks

Well guys this saturday was the last outing on the c/v for me. Same outcome as I started, thanks for all the tips though (unfortunately they did not help 😂)

sold

sold

well thank God they will focus on enhancements for Nathan Creek which is the most important cutthroat spawning & nursery stream (plus coho and chum)  below the Mission Bridge. It continues to be threatened by development in it's upper watershed.

Bradner rest area will be worked on as part of this project

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-infrastructure/contracting-to-transportation/highway-bridge-construction/unofficial-tender-documents/project-no-13253-1001

"Description: Widening of Highway 1 to accommodate new High Occupancy Vehicle, Bus on Shoulder, and Auxiliary lanes; including replacement of the Bradner Road overpass structures. Construction of a new Multi-Use Path adjacent to Highway 1. Expansion and rehabilitation of the Bradner Rest Area and construction of new environmental enhancements at Nathan Creek."

Still amuses me. People are always more interested in the freak show.

The problems at Bradner and Cole Roads should be straight forward to fix. There is an 8 hour stay limit at all Highway rest areas so they just need to enforce it. Whose responsibility is it? Highways, Abbotsford Police or the RCMP?

I know of several spots in Burnaby that sometimes collect the Nomad camper van homeless as well as the camp out druggies. City employees move them out. They give them a notice and if they don't go they seize tents. That's what most people want though most of those people don't cause problems beyond the obvious health issues.

Redesign the rest spots. Close Bradner and replace it. It was one of the first. It's too big, there is too much parking, the walk to the john is too long and it's location causes a traffic headache. I don't stop there unless I am desperate as it can be all but impossible to leave coming as it does right after the west bound climbing lanes switch from 3 lanes to 2. Access to brush and natural areas should be fenced - that's what was done years ago at the Johnson Slough stop.

I'd also say we need more highway rest stops particularly given frequent traffic conditions that can strand a driver and passengers in a car for hours. There is no rest stop on Hwy 7 from Vancouver to Hope other than Johnson Slough. But they should be built to purpose and not serve as all day picnic sites or free camping with flush toilets