Subject: FN1171-Recreational - Salmon - Coho - Region 2 Lower Mainland Non-tidal Fraser River Mainstem - Opening - Effective immediately

This notice advises fishers of recreational Hatchery Marked Coho Salmon fishing opportunities in non-tidal portions of the Fraser River mainstem.

Waters: Fraser River in Region 2 from the downstream side of the CPR Bridge at Mission, BC to the Highway 1 Bridge at Hope, BC 

Management measures – Coho Salmon:

Effective immediately until November 30, 2025
-The daily limit for Coho salmon is two (2) hatchery marked only.   
Non-Tidal got opened up to hatchery coho.

I don't want to mention any names and locations, but are you aware what your government is cooking up for you?
Are you aware that whole swaths of land and complete rivers you fish are being transferred to first nations without any consultation?
BC government is fixing to eliminate 50 percent of your fishing access.
Do some research. I don't want to turn your favourite river into what social media has done to the Chilliwack.
Google it.

Should of been out Bar fishing today. 
Now that the Vedder is blown.
What is wrong with our Fishery?

Thanks Ralph for that information. 
I do always find it hard to find when that 42 days starts and ends. 
Last year the notice was bang on with the ending of the 42 days, so we will see if we see a Notice possibly by the end of today.
I always like to get a few days in before the coho a comletely done.

Usually Rod is on this also, but I know he's been busy fishing and dealing with other fishing issues.
Will wait and see.

If it is 42 days and if we go by the closure of the pinks salmon fishery on Sept 19 the IFS closure window should end for the tidal Fraser at midnight tonight.

It is defined in the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) for the year ending June 30 2026 but try to find that online, yuk yuk!

Actually I just did: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2025/mpo-dfo/Fs143-3-23-2544-eng.pdf#page=581.09

for

Port Mann and downstream - Oct 30th
Port Mann to Mission - Nov 1st
Mission to Hope Nov 2nd


However past experience is the end of the IFS and the opening of the Fraser for coho fishing means little. Most years it doesn't open into November when it matters little, if at all. Why? Perhaps no one squawks directly to someone with decision making power at DFO.

It's that time of year again, when I wait for a notice for coho opening on the Mighty Fraser.
No Sure when the 42 day FRS ends, but must be pretty close.
 

Interesting that there is a non-retention opening for Chums  FN1159, but not a Fraser Coho opening.  Is there a lot of interest in people wanting to catch and release chums?

I think its pretty popular for guides, They do sturgeon and catch at release chum.

Since there is some controversy, there has been an update in Chum salmon abundance:

Catch in the Chum net through October 26 totaled 1,808 Chum Salmon. Combining this data with the historical information on return size and timing in a Bayesian non-linear regression model resulted in an expected terminal Fraser River Chum Salmon return of 616,000 Chum (median estimate), with a 50% migration date of October 21. The return is expected to be between 457,000 and 833,000 (80% probability), and there is a 13% chance the run size will meet the escapement goal of 800,000. A revised in-season abundance estimate is being issued on the basis of later than normal migration timing observed this year.

The current run size estimate is insufficient to allow for recreational and commercial opportunities (including First Nations Economic Opportunities) in the Fraser River. Additional information on potential fishing opportunities will be provided via separate fishery notices.

https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=335635&ID=all

so since the return is not likely to reach a level allowing for a recreational harvest it is not as bleak as some thought it was a few weeks ago.

Interesting that there is a non-retention opening for Chums  FN1159, but not a Fraser Coho opening.  Is there a lot of interest in people wanting to catch and release chums? 

Agreed Ralph the industry only made changes once forced and in many was are responsible for their own demise.