Fisheries Section
Vancouver Island Region

The Fisheries Management Section is responsible for Vancouver Island’s freshwater recreational fisheries resource: conservation of self- perpetuating populations of freshwater fish; management of sustainable sport fisheries; and building support for resource stewardship.

Several fundamental tasks are associated with these goals. The priority for management staff is to monitor populations of naturally reproducing sport fishes. In general, this involves determining how many fish are present in a population, if that population is stable, the level of harvest presently affecting the population, assessing impacts to the fish habitat, and developing habitat restoration prescriptions. On the stewardship side, staff provides technical direction to community stewardship groups working with grants provided through the Urban Salmon Habitat Program. We also develop stocking strategies on small lakes and streams where recreational use has increased to the point where restoration of wild stocks alone will not maintain the fishery. The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund provides funds for lake and stream specific projects and educational projects aimed at increasing public awareness of fish and fish habitat.

Licensed anglers on Vancouver Island fished a total of 670,000 days in 1995 and caught 1,021,000 freshwater sportfish from the regions’ lakes and streams. The catch breakdown consists of 38% cutthroat trout, 37% rainbow trout, 10% salmon, 7% steelhead trout, 3% smallmouth bass, 2% char, 2% kokanee and 1% other species.

A fishery of this magnitude and diversity dictates a conservative regulatory approach. Management staff opens, closes, or modifies recreational fisheries based on angler demand, habitat capability, and fish population status with the maintenance of wild fish a priority.