A.L.M. provides a basic guideline for the fishing regulations and fish limits in Port Alberni, British Columbia. However, our guidelines may not be completely up to date, though we do try to maintain them. To ensure you know the latest regulations before visiting, check out the British Columbia Sport Fishing Guide Summary and the official website of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Regulations:
Salmon: Use only barbless hooks, and there is a maximum of 4 salmon of any and all species per day, with a two-day possession limit consisting of: 1. Chinook — No More Than 2 Chinook Per Day, 2-Day Possession Limit (4 Chinook Maximum) • Area 23: 2 Chinook Per Day, Over 18 Inches • Area 123: (Outside the Surf Line, At Least One Mile Offshore) Any 2 Legal Chinook Over 18 Inches • Chinook Must Be Recorded On Your License Immediately After Landing It 2. Coho — No More Than 2 Coho Per Day, 12 Inch Minimum, 2-Day Possession Limit (4 Coho Maximum) • Area 23 (Inside the Surf Line - Barkley Sound) — 2 Per Day, 'Marked' or 'Unmarked' • Area 123 (Outside the Surf Line - 1 Mile Offshore) — 2 Per Day, Must Be Marked With the Adipose Fin Clipped • Coho Do Not Have To Be Recorded 3. Pink ("Humpy") — No More Than 4 Per Day, 2-Day (8 Fish) Possession Limit — Pinks Do Not Need To Be Recorded 4. Chum — No More Than 4 Per Day, 2-Day (8 Fish) Possession Limit — Chum Do Not Need To Be Recorded 5. Sockeye — No More Than 4 Per Day, 2-Day (8 Fish) Possession Limit — Sockeye Do Not Need To Be Recorded • Must Be Able To Identify Species & Size After Filleted (Skin Left On, Tail Preserved) 6. Ling Cod — 3 Per Day, 2-Day (6 Fish) Possession Limit • Must Be At Least 26 Inches • Must Still Be At Least 21 Inches After It Is Filleted • Must Be Able To Identify Species After Filleted (Skin Must Be Left On) 7. Rockfish — 3 Per Day (No More Than 2 Yelloweye), 2 Day Possession Limit (6 Rockfish) • No Size Limits — Rockfish Do Not Need To Be Recorded • Must Be Able To Identify Species After Filleted (Skin Left On) • Be Aware Of Some "Rockfish Conservation" Areas In Barkley Sound - No Fishing Of Any Kind 8. Halibut — 1 Per Day, 2 Halibut Possession Limit • No Retention Of Halibut In Areas 23 & 123 With a License Purchased Online • Must Be Able To Identify the Species After Filleted (Skin Left On) • No More Than One (In Possession) Larger Than 83 cm (33.7")/63 cm (24.8") With Head Off, But Not Larger Than 133 cm (52.4") • Halibut Must Be Recorded Immediately On License — Maximum Of 6 Halibut Per Season
Storing Your Catch
For all of the above, if you cut your fish into pieces when processing, you should label the bag that contains your catch with your name, date, and species. Each individual piece of fish should be numbered ("1 of 4", "2 of 4", etc.) so that it can be easily 'reassembled' to determine the fish's size and also that the species can be easily identified. Follow Sportfishing Guide guidelines.
This summary is not intended to be a substitute for an official Canadian Fisheries Sportfishing Guide, which is available online. Be certain to check for fisheries online updates before coming to the Copper Island Fishing Retreat, as well. Each fisherman is ultimately individually responsible for closely following all Canadian Fisheries regulations.
Points To Remember
Fisheries enforcement officers patrol the waters in which you will be fishing. A violation can result in a sizable fine, and in some cases, also include confiscation of fishing tackle, your boat, or other personal property.
Copper Island is well known in the Bamfield community, and the community is very aware of Copper Island and the Fishing Retreat, as well as the fishermen that attend. While at the Copper Island Fishing Retreat, you are an unofficial 'ambassador' of Copper Island.
