Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: ziggypal on June 26, 2012, 01:42:22 PM

Title: Fishing in the dark
Post by: ziggypal on June 26, 2012, 01:42:22 PM
I just had a few questions.

Are you allowed to fish at night in BC?
In both freshwater and tidal?
If so, I guess bait would be the best way to do it, due to the low visibility!?
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: Nitroholic on June 26, 2012, 03:43:28 PM
why would you want to
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: ziggypal on June 26, 2012, 03:57:26 PM
I'd like to fish the hightide at the cap, but this week seems like its gonna be in the middle of night. I just want to know if I'd be breaking any laws. And tips from any people who have done it.
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: Rodney on June 26, 2012, 04:00:29 PM
Fishing is prohibited at night (one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise) in certain fisheries and they are usually indicated in the regulations. In general, it is allowed and most night time closures apply to freshwater salmon fisheries. For example, a browse through Region 2's freshwater salmon fishing regulations (http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.htm), you'll notice that "day light hours only" applies to systems such as Chilliwack River, Harrison River, etc.

Night time fishing can be pretty fun for species such as sturgeon, carp and other coarse fish. Trout fishing in lakes can also be excellent a couple of hours after sunset.
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: ziggypal on June 26, 2012, 04:43:05 PM
Thank you. I will reread the freshwater synopsis. Do you know if this applies to crabbing and/or fishing for salmon in the tidal waters too?
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: ynot on June 26, 2012, 06:18:43 PM
i know you cant crab at night in indian arm,as long as you dont shine lights into the water mouth of the cap is ok for salmon at night,full moon would help to make the spinner shine. not my idea of fun.
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: buzzbomb on June 26, 2012, 06:29:43 PM

Night time fishing can be pretty fun for species such as sturgeon, carp and other coarse fish. Trout fishing in lakes can also be excellent a couple of hours after sunset.

In some areas of the US they fish mostly at night due to extreme heat in daytime.  I‘ve had good carp fishing at night, and walleye (which have great night vision) are supposed to bite readily in the dark, as well as burbot, though the few times I‘ve tried for walleye or burbot at night weren‘t productive.  I know it does work for others though.  Down in Tampa Bay the guys who fish the piers fish at night to catch the tides all the time.
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: ziggypal on June 27, 2012, 11:09:33 AM
Thanks for the info guys. I can't find anything saying you can't fish or crab at night in the tidal waters. And as for the capilano freshwater it doesn't say anything anywhere in the regs or synopsis that you can't fish at night. Please refer me to anything that would state otherwise, if anybody knows.
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: Tex on June 27, 2012, 03:27:56 PM
why would you want to

You have obviously never fished at night.  I have only ever night fished on lakes, and it's one of the most incredible experiences.  Every sense is magnified in the dark, and kicking around in a float tube or rowing a small boat around at night is one of the most peaceful things you can imagine.  And when a fish hits - forget about it!  The sensation is unreal, and the excitement is incredible.

Tex - loves nightfishing for trout
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: clarki on June 27, 2012, 05:12:21 PM
You have obviously never fished at night.  I have only ever night fished on lakes, and it's one of the most incredible experiences.  Every sense is magnified in the dark, and kicking around in a float tube or rowing a small boat around at night is one of the most peaceful things you can imagine.  And when a fish hits - forget about it!  The sensation is unreal, and the excitement is incredible.

Tex - loves nightfishing for trout
Yep. On moonlit nights, a leechy type pattern, fished near the surface, casts a very appetizing sillouette when viewed below from the fish's perspective. White Lake can fish well this way.

Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: clujalolo on June 27, 2012, 06:44:43 PM
why would one want to fish the high tide? just a question, not trying to be smart :p

I always thought the low tide was ideal?

Let us know how it is, if u end up going...
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: Rodney on June 27, 2012, 07:43:04 PM
ziggypal is referring to the non-tidal portion (stream) of the system. A large incoming tide would bring new fish into the river, possibly resulting in better fishing. If you are fishing the mouth or Ambleside Beach, then a low tide would be more advantageous.
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: clujalolo on June 27, 2012, 10:43:25 PM
ziggypal is referring to the non-tidal portion (stream) of the system. A large incoming tide would bring new fish into the river, possibly resulting in better fishing. If you are fishing the mouth or Ambleside Beach, then a low tide would be more advantageous.

Yeh thats whatbi was thinking at ambleside beach, best would be at low tide
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: ziggypal on June 28, 2012, 01:51:23 PM
Yes. I would like to fish in the non tidal portion of the cap, under the hwy 1 bridge. I'll probably give it a try Friday or Saturday. I'll let you guys know of my experience if I manage to do it. Thanks for the posts and responses guys.
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: SLIK on June 29, 2012, 12:11:33 AM
You want an experience?

Go after some winter time burbot. Wait till there's a full moon and some fresh snow. You wanna get away from it all, go walk out into the middle of a frozen lake with the moonlight to guide you (safely of course, check your ice!). Then sit around for a few hours and jig for them like you would a cod.

Got my girlfriend into burbot fishing this year and she loves it. First time out she was very nervous to say the least and so surprised when I drilled a hole and water came out. Then the eery feeling when you let your line down the little hole and it keeps going and going. Nothing like hanging out in a lawnchair on a lake in the middle of the night. And the feast afterwards is some of the best tasting fish available:)
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: skaha on June 29, 2012, 07:04:13 AM
--Summer Lac La Jeune night hatches on a full moon.... one of most memorable fishing experiences and difficult to replicate
--Larger fish get very brave at night and willing to take a dry... I use bi-visibles and site cast to rising fish... 

--Interior lakes can get very warm daytime surface temps so downrigger fishing during the day but cooler night temps can bring fish up to feed on near surface mysis shrimp.

--Some interior lakes its the only time to avoid water ski and wake boarders... except for the drunk ones that can be a hazard as well... at least fewer of them. 
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: clujalolo on July 04, 2012, 05:58:08 PM
Anybody do any night fishing on any river for salmon? Anything you reccomnend as for lures? Will anything work, or should it be a glow in the dark for the fish to see easier. I would be using more spinners than anything. But i mean ill use anything.

Any ideas/suggestion would be much appriciated, i would like to go one of these nights to the Cap when its a nice clear evening.
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: lude98r on July 04, 2012, 08:10:49 PM
I dont think you can fish for salmon between 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise on BC rivers.
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: Brook Trout on July 04, 2012, 08:57:15 PM
--Summer Lac La Jeune night hatches on a full moon.... one of most memorable fishing experiences and difficult to replicate 

x2 this is the time! :)
Title: Re: Fishing in the dark
Post by: clujalolo on July 04, 2012, 09:58:26 PM
I was actually going to fish below the train bridge, thats considered tidal waters so if im not mistaken, your allowed to fish at night. And the capilano doesnt say anywhere your not allowed to fish at night but im still looking into it.